Casa-e-Cucina at home

On this morning’s ABC 702 Sydney radio programme Weekends with Simon Marnie, Enzo of Casa-e-Cucina called into the segment with Paul Wallbank on “how to create a blog” immediately after me. This was just a coincidence and he would have been on hold while I was speaking about Inside Cuisine. One of the things that Enzo told Simon Marnie and Paul Wallbank was that I’d had dinner at his place during the week. “Did she blog about it?” Simon Marnie asked. At that stage I hadn’t, I hadn’t taken my camera, but it has prompted to get some photos from Enzo and share some of his fabulous dinner with you. Boy he can cook!

It was one of three dinners in the home of friends I was lucky enough to enjoy this week. Being invited into someone’s home is such a special honour and privilege. Thank you Enzo.

I brought some wine, and as we had our first sip Enzo put his home made bread in the oven. Enzo started the dinner with a beetroot risotto inspired by one of my friends Chef Alessandro Pavoni  of Ormeggio. You’ll remember Chef Pavoni has written a Risotto Masterclass for Inside Cuisine.  Enzo had Chef’s beetroot risotto at Taste of Sydney. Without a recipe Enzo was inspired to use beetroot juice (not pulp) which gave the risotto a gorgeous rich deep colour as well as flavour.

Then we moved onto a beautiful seasonal combination of pork cutlet with apple, sage and parsnip mash. There was lots of laughter about how a man loves a blow torch as the sugar was caramelised for the creme brulee which was infused with just a hint of orange. All in all a wonderful evening with delicious food and good company. What do you cook when you have friends to dinner?