Italian Food Safari Season 1 Episode 13 Episode 13
- June 11, 2010
- 26 min
Italian Food Safari is a captivating food and travel series that delves deep into the heart of Italian cuisine. With each episode, the hosts Maeve O'Meara and Guy Grossi take viewers on a journey through various regions of Italy, exploring the traditional dishes and cooking techniques unique to each place.
In Season 1, episode 13, titled "Episode 13", the hosts travel to the island of Sardinia, located off the coast of Italy in the Mediterranean Sea. Sardinia is known for its rugged terrain, crystal-clear waters, and unique cuisine, which reflects its history of being influenced by various cultures including Spanish and Arabic.
The episode begins with Maeve and Guy arriving in the city of Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia. Here they meet with local chef Efisio Farris who shows them around the bustling market, introducing them to the ingredients that define Sardinian cuisine. They sample traditional bread made with semolina flour, pecorino cheese made from sheep's milk, and the famous Sardinian cured meat known as "culatello" which is dried in the sea breeze and has a delicate flavor.
Next, Maeve and Guy head to a nearby seaside village where they meet with fisherman Pietro and cook Maria who demonstrate the traditional Sardinian way of cooking fish - in a wood-fired oven covered with salt and bay leaves. The fish is cooked to perfection, with a delicious crispy skin and moist flesh.
The hosts then travel to the town of Orgosolo, famous for its murals painted on the walls of buildings throughout the town. Here they meet with cheese maker Michele who shows them how to make ricotta cheese from sheep's milk. The ricotta is used to make a traditional Sardinian dessert called "seada" - a pastry filled with ricotta and drizzled with honey.
Maeve and Guy continue their journey through Sardinia, visiting the town of Orosei where they meet with local pasta maker Salvatore who shows them how to make "malloreddus" - a type of pasta shaped like small dumplings. The malloreddus are flavored with saffron and served with a simple tomato and basil sauce.
The hosts also explore the town of Nuoro, Sardinia's cultural and artistic center, where they meet artist and cook Tonino who teaches them how to make a traditional dish called "porceddu", which is a suckling pig roasted over a wood fire.
The episode ends with a visit to the southwestern coast of Sardinia, where Maeve and Guy explore the beautiful beach of Chia and sample some traditional Sardinian sweets made with almonds, honey, and nougat.
Overall, Episode 13 of Italian Food Safari provides a fascinating insight into the unique cuisine and culture of Sardinia. From the rugged mountains to the crystal-clear waters, Sardinian cuisine reflects its amazing natural surroundings and rich history. With its stunning scenery and delicious food, Sardinia is truly a feast for the senses.