Tiramissed you
GINO’S ITALIAN COASTAL ESCAPE
STV, 8pm HEADS up, viewers – Gino D’Acampo is Italian. I know, he barely mentions it, and you’d never guess from the accent, but apparently it’s true.
And now the TV chef is going back to the land of pasta and tiramisu to explore the Mediterranean coast and serve up some mouthwatering cucina italiana.
He’ll be venturing all over the country, travelling along dramatic coastal roads, visiting the wild islands and sailing out to sea. His journey takes him from the Tuscan coast in the north, through the middle stretch visiting Sorrento and Capri, right down to the southern tip of the boot and the Aeolian Islands.
And for this first episode he’s visiting the famous Amalfi Coast: a 37km stretch which is one of the most famous and popular areas of Italy. And he’s starting in the picturesque town of Positano, which gained its reputation as a glamorous hotspot when people like Picasso, Sophia Loren and Jackie Kennedy began to visit.
Gino soaks up the view with a traditional local limoncello and prosecco cocktail, before chartering a boat to take to the azure waters and enjoy a simple but delicious Caprese salad.
Oh, it’s a hard life. In the nearby town of Minori, he gets a masterclass from local woman Claudia who teaches him how to make ndunderi – a special fresh pasta made with ricotta. And in return, he teaches her the very English phrase “willy nilly”. Then it’s on to the fishing village Cetara, a foodie heaven where they make Colatura di Alici – a special anchovy oil which has been the country’s favourite condiment since Roman times and which still graces every Italian’s kitchen. It may well be a lot of people’s idea of food hell, but in Gino’s tuna tartare bruschetta recipe it looks heavenly.