Italian Food Safari Season 1 Episode 7 Episode 7
- April 30, 2010
- 26 min
Italian Food Safari is a cooking and travel show that explores the many facets of Italian cuisine. Hosts Maeve O’Meara and Guy Grossi meet with local producers, chefs, and home cooks to learn about the ingredients, techniques, and traditions that make Italian food so special. Season 1 episode 7, titled simply Episode 7, takes viewers on a journey through the central regions of Italy, including Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio.
The episode begins in the Tuscan town of Cortona, where Maeve and Guy discover the region’s famous beef, known as Chianina. This ancient breed of cattle has been raised in Tuscany for centuries and produces meat that is lean, tender, and full of flavor. Maeve and Guy visit a local butcher who demonstrates how to prepare classic Tuscan dishes using Chianina, including a hearty stew and a tender steak cooked simply with olive oil and rosemary.
Next, the hosts travel to Umbria, where they learn about the region’s prized black truffle. Umbria has long been a destination for truffle hunters, who use trained dogs to sniff out these elusive fungi in the region’s forests. Maeve and Guy meet with a truffle hunter and his dog, who take them on a hunt for the prized truffle. They then visit a local chef who demonstrates how to incorporate truffles into simple, elegant dishes, such as scrambled eggs and homemade pasta.
In Lazio, Maeve and Guy explore the region’s seafood traditions, which are often overshadowed by the more famous dishes of neighboring regions. They visit a fishing village along the coast and meet with local fishermen who share their knowledge of the sea and the fresh catch of the day. Maeve and Guy then head to the kitchen of a local restaurant, where they watch as the chef prepares a classic Roman dish of spaghetti alle vongole, or spaghetti with clams.
Throughout the episode, Maeve and Guy also explore the many regional variations of Italian pasta, from the hearty pici of Tuscany to the delicate strozzapreti of Umbria. They learn about the importance of using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients in Italian cooking, and the role that tradition and family play in the country’s food culture.
Italian Food Safari season 1 episode 7 is a rich and informative look at the diverse culinary traditions of central Italy. With its stunning scenery, passionate cooks, and delicious food, this episode is sure to inspire viewers to try their hand at Italian cooking.