baroquesicily.com - Sicily Stories and Travel Tips from Jann Huizenga

Flowers on their Toes in Sicily

July 11, 2011

Italians–those wily sorcerers–know how to prettify everything. Cocoa hearts on their coffees, flowers on their prettily painted toes.

“You have the ugliest feet I’ve ever seen,” a good friend once commented.

Since then I pretty much refuse to wear sandals in public.

So you can imagine how jealous I am of Italian feet.

The sandal style this year often has a Greek thing going on at the ankle and a sexy flower at the toes. And, damn it, your toenails better match.

What are you wearing on your feet this summer?

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Sicilian Watermelon Gelo (Pudding)

July 7, 2011

Watermelons are piled high wherever you look. These heavy-as-boulder ones come from nearby Pachino, a town famous for its ruby-red tomatoes.

Watermelon used to bore me, conjuring up corporate picnics, American flags, and pig-out contests.

But I like it the Sicilian way–as gelo. It’s simple and fast.

DIRECTIONS

1. Roughly cut up a 3-pound watermelon (seedless, unless you want to pick out seeds one by one as I did) and discard the rind. Puree the chunks until liquified. (I have no blender–I’m trying to live a minimalist life–so I smooshed the chunks with my fists.)

2. Whisk 2/3 cups sugar and 1/2 cup cornstarch in a non-reactive pan. Whisk in the pureed watermelon. (OPTIONAL: Add jasmine flowers.) Bring the mix to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. It will take only a few minutes to thicken and bubble.

3. Remove from the heat and stir in a teaspoon of vanilla. With a rubber spatula, scrape the mixture through a fine sieve into a bowl. You can leave it in the big bowl, or spoon it out into individual serving bowls, as I did. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours.

4. To serve, garnish with some or all of the following: grated dark chocolate, ground cinnamon, chopped pistachios, jasmine flowers. Serve with whipped cream if you like the calories.

This recipe was adapted from Saveur. Hope you enjoy it!

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Back at the Beach

July 3, 2011

Summer is in full swing.

The wind blows up from the Sahara.

The sun burns; the Ionian cools.

We’re sitting at a kiosk at the “Aziz” beach, 2 kilometers east of Donnalucata in Southeast Sicily.

“Three hours on the beach, the best coffee money can buy, two fresh brioches, and a turquoise view of the Mediterranean that extends to Africa,” Kim says, “All for five euro.”

Happy Fourth! Are you on the beach?

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Directions: From Donnalucata, drive 2 kms east (following signs to Marina di Modica and Siracusa). When you see a (faded ) sign that says “Aziz” and “Pizzeria,” turn right and go all the way to the water, where you’ll see a white “kiosk.” Ask locals for help: everyone knows Aziz. Go early to get good parking: the bar opens at 9am and is peaceful until about 11:00.

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Amore, Sicilian Style

June 28, 2011

I caught them hiding in my alleyway.

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Dining with Sisters in Sicily

June 23, 2011

You sip prosecco, nibble sardines and langoustines and Sicilian caponata. Breezy curtains ripple and swing. It feels like you’re in a canopied bed, in One Thousand and One Nights.

But you’re out on a traffic island. In my favorite new restaurant.

Dining at Il Consiglio di Sicilia in Donnalucata, Sicily

Dining on this traffic island is fun! There’s not much traffic, really–just a few Fiats and scooters and kids on bikes. As the curtains billow open, ruffling your hair with warm sea air (the blue Ionian laps just down the street), you glimpse a family playing on their stoop. Children skip by with gelato. You look for a genie to fly from your bottle of wine.

Il Consiglio di Sicilia is owned and run by the four talented siblings of the Cicero family: Antonio, Gabriella, Elisa, and Chef Lucia, just 23 years old.

Lucia, the 23-year-old cook at Il Consiglio di Sicilia

Gabriella, your server at Il Consiglio di Sicilia

Try the tasting menu (called La Joia), a languid parade: gorgeous seafood starters, primo, secondo, and desserts, each course accompanied by wine, all for €48.

Sicilian langoustines at Il Consiglio di Sicilia, Donnalucata

Marinated Anchovies with Mint at Il Consiglio di Sicilia

Or order a la carte. Pastas include spaghetti con le vongole, tagliolini ai ricci, and spaghetti with cuttlefish ink topped with fresh sweet ricotta (€12-15). Second courses include swordfish, baked sea bass, mackerel with herbs and tomatoes (€13-15). All from local waters. And don’t miss out on Chef Lucia’s desserts: cinnamon gelo (pudding), chocolate flan, lemon sorbet, and truly amazing cannoli.

Dining at Il Consiglio di Sicilia, Donnalucata, Sicily

Dining on the "Traffic Island" at il Consiglio di Sicilia

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Donnalucata is a charming fishing village in Southeast Sicily. Il Consiglio di Sicilia is at 79 Via Casmene, next to “Palazzo Rosso” (a Montalbano location)–just ask anyone for directions. Open every summer evening for dinner. They will also do lunch for group so 6 or more when you reserve a day in advance. Tel. 0932.938062 or 340.9448923. Email: info@ilconsigliodisicilia.it

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Flowers on their Toes in Sicily

Sicilian Watermelon Gelo (Pudding)

Back at the Beach

Amore, Sicilian Style

Dining with Sisters in Sicily

Shoot Sicily With Me

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