Discover Cilento – Italian SupperClub

Hosted by Federica, aka @Federilli on twitter and author of Paste Bites blog, this fundraising dinner took place on the 10th November. This supperclub showcased another beautiful region of Italy, Cilento, which is South of the Amalfi coast. The evening’s profits were donated to FAI (Fondo per L’Ambiente Italiano), the equivalent to National Trust in the UK. A lot of hard work and months of planning were involved. Most of the ingredients and products were brought over from Cilento, Campania region by Federica and her family. The Italian ingredients were donated by the local Italian producers.  The evening started with a ice cold, sharp and citrusy vodka cocktaill and nibbles.

The table

Below:  Alici bites and the menu, had a distinctive strong taste of anchovies and soaked up the alcohol of our welcome cocktail.

The Meal

Lasagne e Ceci di Cicerale – pasta with chickpeas  a comforting dish with a subtle garlic and rosemary background taste. Freshly baked sourdough bread was available at the table. That reminded me how much I miss having bread on the table at every meal. I supposed it’s a Latin thing we always have bread on the table.

 

Fusiddi al ragu di salsiccia and cacioricotta
Local Cilento pasta with local sausage ragout and Cilento region goat’s cheese.

This dish was delicious and hearty with plenty of contrast of textures and flavours.  The tomato sauce was beautifully intense and worked very well with the sausage. The saltiness of the goats cheese lifted the dish.

Mozzarella, Salame and contorni from Cilento:

 

Mozzarella DOP from Paestrum

 

Salame from Vibonati (Cilento region), ciambotta (above right), zucchine scapece (below left), served with two types of breads

The Ciambotta is a type of mix stew made of potatoes, aubergines, tomatoes, peppers, chilli and onions, the vivid colours and the taste were delightful. The marinated zucchini had a pleasant sweet-and-sour seasoning and a fresh finish of mint.

 

 palate cleanser: Homemade Limoncello sorbet. The Limoncello was made by Federica’s mum in Italy, using Cilento region lemons. La Gelatiera  kindly made the sorbet using the homemade limoncello at their Covent Garden premises.
Lo Scialandro : made by pastry Chef Ciara Cianciaruso – ‘Bravo!’
This desert was beautiful, light and inspired by  Cilento’s  famous chef and based on the flavours and the traditions of
the region : meringue, raspberry sauce and a dollop of ricotta cheese.

 

Federica way to take coffee orders
Terrone Caffe, chocolate & fig bites and Biscuits with Giffoni Hazelnuts – thanks to Rob who help me to frame this image.

The supperclub took place at Federica and Rob’s home. I was very impressed by Federica’s dedication, complex planning and attention to detail. The food and ingredients were of very good quality and service run like a dream. Well, at least from my guest point of view.  Half of the guests were Italian and they all had been to Federica’s first  supperclub which was all about Abruzzo. That’s a great endorsement!
To discover more about this Italian region:  CilentoCilento InComing.
Federica runs her Italian Supperclubs every now and then. For more info get in touch with @Federilli on twitter or through her blog : Pasta Bites

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2 Comments

  1. Pasta Bites
    November 20, 2012 / 11:52 am

    Thank you Rosana, this is wonderful. Thank you for coming and sharing your views on our event. We raised a lot of money so will circulate FAI thank you letter asap xxx

  2. November 21, 2012 / 8:37 pm

    Fe, It was a very nice dinner well done you and the team. Rx