Domenico had offered to come round and show us how to use the wood oven to cook pizzas. Obviously we jumped at the chance. He sent instructions regarding the fire and told us that he and his wife would be round at about 6pm with the ingredients for pizzas.
We wanted everything to look clean and tidy, given the shock he would get when he saw just how much stuff we had removed from his family home. There was mess outside the front left by the removals guys and all the empty rooms really needed a sweep and clean up. There was also the outside seating area to make nice enough to entertain. There was also shopping for food and drink and a fire to start and tend. A very busy morning and afternoon ensued (particularly for Fenella).
At 3:30 I started the fire – nearly 4 hours before it was needed for cooking. The flames needed to be kept high for the whole time to get the oven up to the required 700C. Luckily we already had plenty of wood in the stable and the wood shed.
At about 6:30 Domenico and Paola arrived with everything needed to make and serve pizzas. We showed them round the house which looks quite different now that a lot of the old furniture and all the junk has been removed. I think Domenico found it a little hard – saying “it’s a different house now”. Paola, however, seemed to approve.
We had thought that we would eat in the kitchen, but Domenico and Paola were determined that all the preparation, cooking and eating would happen outside. Thankfully, Domenico was happy with the fire – though he did send me off for more wood. After a glass or two of prosecco and some nibbles, the real action commenced.
Thankfully, we had kept the outside table with its granite top as this was pressed into service for the preparation of the pizzas. Domenico showed me how to move the fire to the side of the oven and clean the base ready for cooking the pizzas and Paola got started on rolling and preparing the first pizza.
Nearly every pizza was different and and surprisingly about half were blonde:
* Capers and anchovies
* Mushroom (blonde)
* Gorgonzola (blonde)
* Salami
* Lard and garlic (blonde)
* Nutella and ricotta (calzone)
We provided a large salad, fruit and wine.
This was the first time we had properly met Paola and we really liked her. We all had a brilliant time and the pizzas were wonderful.
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