Goodness me, it’s been a month. I have no excuse except that real life seems to have stepped up a pace since the art courses started. Life at the moment seems like one big learning curve as each of the courses runs for the first time. It’s an exciting period, but not without a bit of nail biting too.
Now that the overall renovations of the apartments and studio are
finished (nearly), it’s the details that begin to come into focus.
This corkboard has been re-commissioned to organise our keys. My father made this board for me years ago out of the corks left over from bottles of wine that he had drunk, he only used the ones that he felt were particularly memorable, either because the wine or the company he drank with had moved him. He made one for me and one for my sister. Of the few things I have that were my dad’s, this is one of the most precious. The corks in the centre are from bottles of Cava that we drank together, to celebrate the stuff that families celebrate, each other. Now, it’s in use everyday and I think my dad would have liked that.
This is another detail that shouldn’t go unnoticed, the amount of wonderful artwork that has been produced in the studio, by visitors on the art courses. This table full of work is by one of our first ‘students’, I love looking at all these vibrant images and somehow it makes sense of what we have been doing for the last two and a half years.
The other thing that is prevalent around here at the moment is the sheer greenness of the landscape, so green and full of sap, it makes me want to sing and make soup.
Best thing I ate;
To celebrate the full on juicy lushness that is Umbria at this time of year, I made this verdant soup for the students on our recent botanical illustration course. They weren’t complaining.
The idea of this light soup is to keep it very fresh and green I like to make it, and eat it, within the hour as that is when the colour really zings. The clean, sweet taste of the zucchini (courgette) works really well with a pungent splash of basil oil, and a crunch of charred bread from the griddle.
Zuppa di Zucchini con Basilico or Courgette Soup with Basil
For the soup (serves 6)
1.5kg firm, shinny skinned medium sized zucchini, trimmed
Olive oil, large glug
50g butter
3 gloves garlic peeled
1ltr good vegetable stock, a cube will do
Sea salt and black pepper
For the basil oil
1 large bunch of fresh basil
150ml olive oil
Sea salt
Soup
Heat the olive oil and butter in a large stock-pot and sweat the garlic gently without colouring it. Meanwhile chop the zucchini cross ways into coins and add to the pot, cover with the stock and bring to a simmer and cook for about 20 minutes or until the courgettes are just tender. Blend the soup with a hand help blender, until smooth and green. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper to your taste.
Oil
Take your bunch of basil and remove any coarse stems, puree the basil with the olive oil and a large pinch of sea salt until smooth and intense dark green.
Serve the soup with a large splash of the basil oil floating on top and a slice of coarse country bread charred on the griddle. Perfetto.
The corkboard is a fantastic idea. I have been saving corks from bottles of wine we had had but have been waiting for a great idea to use them in. I will probably frame mine in wrought iron to add a little more of a Tuscan feel to them. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Wrought Iron Doors | July 06, 2009 at 08:47 PM
Souper stuff, great art work, nice life!
Posted by: WhichBurner | June 16, 2009 at 06:59 PM
Oh my goodness LOVE that corkboard!!!!!! What a special item to have from your dad :)
Posted by: Michelle | Bleeding Espresso | June 14, 2009 at 01:24 PM
The pictures your first students painted and sketched are simply wonderful. Souper!
Credit to the teacher and to their talents as well.
Posted by: rosaria | June 08, 2009 at 06:13 PM
The paintings and drawings are lovely - as is the soup. And the cork board - well, that is in a special class all its own - you're generous to share the story.
Posted by: Fern Driscoll | June 06, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Wo bist du?!!!!
I am not impressed, come on bloggers! :)
Posted by: Sophie | June 05, 2009 at 01:14 PM
I am laughing, because I have been away 3 weeks tomorrow and thought I would look in on you. What's up? The same "sorry I haven't blogged much lately" post that was there when I left!
I can't comment from my Italian computer, so let's see if I can from here in DC.
Posted by: Judith in Umbria | May 13, 2009 at 03:14 PM
How much I would love to be standing at the window taking in the view of the cork board while drawing the soup and pinning aid memoires to the sweeping vista through the window. Quite marvelous!
Posted by: Ian D Gestion | May 08, 2009 at 11:51 PM
What an experience, to be a student in your beautiful world. That soup looks and sounds amazing!
Posted by: stephanie | May 08, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Cara Amanda,
Nice to have you back in virtuality! What a wonderful "anecdote" about the cork board. Of, course your father would have been thrilled. And for you - a memory,a daily treat. Like the soup photo. Love veg. soups. Happy for your Artiturismo success! Bacione, Ingrid in Umbria
Posted by: Vita Lenta nel Bel Paese | May 05, 2009 at 01:54 PM
we missed your posts...but so happy to read you again!everything you've made is wonderful!
Posted by: Lorenza | May 04, 2009 at 06:20 PM
I love the cork board. Your dad..wow! What can I say. Good to see you back. You were missed xox
Posted by: maryann | May 04, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Glad to hear the first session went well.
I agree that the work by your students is beautiful.
Posted by: nyc/caribbean ragazza | May 04, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I'd forgotten the soup looks yummy, I have put it on my list to make for my friend Peggy when she comes to dinner next week as the starter.
She loves zucchini!
Posted by: Antonina | May 04, 2009 at 02:01 PM
At last we hear what's been afoot, so glad to hear you are very busy that's a great sign,I am content that all is going to plan as you had both hoped.Your hard work and sacrifice is paying off.
The cork board is lovely and endearing ,that it was made by your father makes it irreplaceable, for each day a new memory of him and your life together springs forward when you take a key.
I have a magazine rack my father made ,he too is gone physically but never from my heart or mind.
Posted by: Antonina | May 04, 2009 at 01:58 PM
the zucchini soup will go well with the bean bruschetta! :) Love the cork board, it's beautiful and practical. Your dad was a natural repurposer...
I am sure that you are feeling the sense things falling into place with the students producing and flourishing. It starts to all come together when people come and complete the circle. Enjoy.
Posted by: [email protected] | May 04, 2009 at 01:19 PM
The cork board is lovely. Great idea with a touching story. And that soup!!! It's going on my list, Amanda.
Posted by: casalba | May 04, 2009 at 10:19 AM
I love that cork board, too! Especially since in my house my OH is always misplacing his keys.
Posted by: Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy | May 04, 2009 at 08:10 AM
I was hoping everything was ok over there... glad to hear things are going well. We've missed you!
Posted by: Joe@italyville | May 04, 2009 at 06:40 AM
oh, this soup sounds wonderful....must try it :)
Posted by: erin :: the olive notes | May 04, 2009 at 01:56 AM
I wondered where you were...How fascinating is the Cork Board, I love it, and the story behind it...Just look at the pictures by your students, they are amazing :-)
Posted by: Anne A | May 03, 2009 at 08:23 PM