The Eden for food-lovers!
Puglia, Italy - Italian Chef in Puglia
If you love Italy, sea destinations and vibrant summer life, you may chose to spend your holiday in Puglia! The region is located in the south of the Peninsula and is not only one of the most renowned Italian holiday destinations, but also one of the richest archaeological regions in Italy and the Eden for food-lovers! The Chef Angelo Sabatelli from Monopoli (Bari) has told us about himself and explained why Puglia and Food are a perfect idyll.
Michelin Restaurant in Puglia - Chef Angelo Sabatelli
Monopoli is a coastal town in Puglia. Monopoli is one of the most active Olive Oil Cities: it celebrates the fresh extra-virgin olive oil mill and the baked bread at the "Bread and Oil" festival. Puglia is characterised by strength in agriculture: Mola turnip tops, Ferrovia cherries, Primaticcia di Polignano potatoes, and the Caciocavallo cheese are products only cultivated in Puglia.
Angelo Sabatelli grew up near the sea, in a paradise of tastes and genuine flavours. Like his friends he enrolled to a Hotel School but actually, he decided to become a Chef while reading an interview with the multi-awarded Chef Gualtiero Marchesi in the Grand Gourmet Magazine: “I understood that my future would be linked to Italian cuisine while I was looking at Marchesi’s acclaimed dishes. I’ve never changed my mind!”
He considers himself to be a lucky chef that can work with an assortment of ingredients unique in comparison to other nations. At the same time the Chef Angelo Sabatelli asserts that “It’s possible eating well almost everywhere because there are talented colleagues around the world able to express their cooking talents very well”. If you have any doubt where to eat in Puglia, we vividly suggest the Masseria Spina Restaurant, where our CHIC Chef usually offers a perfect mixture between noble ingredients (oysters) and simple ingredients (chicory and beans). The Apulian Chef Angelo Sabatelli has been awarded a Michelin Star and while we are strongly waiting for the 2nd star to be awarded, we are being comforted with chocolate fondant pralines!
Michelin Italian Restaurant - Masseria Spina Restaurant in Puglia
Here is the recipe for “Bon Bon” chocolate fondant pralines with candied Lampascioli and artichoke liqueur. (Lampascioli are a kind of bitter-tasting onion typical for the Italian Puglia and Basilicata regions).
Ingredients for candied lampascioli
150 gr Lampascioni
75 gr sugar
300 gr mineral water
300 gr artichoke liqueur
Method
Peel the onions, cut a cross into the root and leave them in water for about three weeks (changing the water 2 times daily). Then, drain the water, cut the onions into quarters, remove the core (white part) and separate the onion petals. Put the onions, the sugar and the water into a saucepan and cook for about 40 minutes over low heat. Leave to cool and add the artichoke liqueur.
Ingredients for Bon Bon of chocolate fondant pralines
200 gr 70% dark chocolate
200 gr cream
100 gr butter
60 gr Gianduja cream chocolate or ganache
Method
Cut the chocolate into small pieces. Heat up the cream to 80° and add the chocolate. Stir briefly, add the butter (previously cut into small cubes) and mix with a mixer until the cream becomes smooth.
Take a semi sphere silicon chocolate mold tray with about 28 spheres (28 gr each) and pour the chocolate ganache into the mold, using a sac à poche/ Pastry bag. Put them in the freezer.
When the little balls are frozen, dip in flour, beaten egg white and breadcrumbs. Repeat the steps (without dip in flour).
Fry the pralines in hot oil until golden, drain on kitchen paper and bake in the oven for about 1 minute. Sprinkle the bon bon with icing sugar and some grated orange peel. Take 4 plates, pour two spoons of candied lampascioli on the plates and place 3 bon bon on each plate.
Serve warm: Buon Appetito!
Regional recipes - Puglia cuisine - Michelin Chef
A special thanks to
Angelo Sabatelli and Masseria Spina Restaurant
CHIC’s association
Stefania Miglio
Have you missed the 1st Chic Interviews? Discover the secret regional recipes of Liguria, Lazio and Piemonte! Live a true culinary Italian experience at home, try the recipe and wait for the 5th issue on tuesday ;)
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