What is “Salento style”? The Salento is the very attractive southern sub-region of Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. “Salento style” is the unique personality and characteristics of this appealing land and that includes its story, its lifestyle, and its people…
I fell in love with Puglia back in 2014 when I met and began collaborating with Ylenia and Michele (YLTOUR DMC)!
Not only have I introduced small groups to this (now not-so-secret) region but I’ve curated custom itineraries for couples, families and friends as well. (And I still do.)
However, after two “COVID” restricted years, I was anxious to be able to plan a visit just for me!! Ylenia and Michele are more than professional partners (“Friends of Victoria”), they are wonderful friends and I was certainly looking forward to spending time with them after what has been a challenging year for everyone (everywhere!) in the travel biz.
And what a fabulous visit! I wrote about some of our explorations together including day tripping to Bari and enjoying the holiday spirit in the Itria Valley) but I also wanted to share about another personal experience offered in their charming bistrot, the new “Pasta Making and Wine Tasting/Pairing Class”.
Although I have been here many times and taken Ylenia’s delightful and delicious “CookinPuglia” classes many times, the technique for making Puglia’s traditional pasta, orecchiette (“little ears”), has escaped me. I was hoping to improve on this visit!
Conveniently located in the heart Lecce’s historical center, their charming bistrot, with Strada del Vino Wine Bistrot, Ylenia and Michele have created a friendly and welcoming destination to sample authentic cuisine, wine and hospitality! Their passion and dedication is not only inspiring, it’s contagious! Join me, won’t you?
Since group cooking classes and wine tastings have been difficult to organize, Ylenia and Michele innovated a new wonderful way that you can (safely and conveniently) learn to make homemade pasta as well as sample the local Pugliese varietals! Perfect, si?
What better way than hands on with Ylenia and then then join Michele to learn about the local wines of the region (of course, paired with tasty complementary antipasti)? I would call that a winning combination, wouldn’t you?! (Oh and, by the way, it’s fun and yummy! Even Italians rave about Pugliese cuisine so you are in for a very special treat!)
Making Fresh Pasta with Ylenia!
I joined visitors Mark and Monika for their class. As you will see in the photos and videos, Ylenia patiently walks us through each step of making “little ears”.
Please wait for the slideshow! ⇓
⇒ CLICK and Watch the Videos ⇓
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 1 The Ingredients
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 2 Mixing & Kneading the Dough
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 3 Lots More Kneading
And, it’s more than just measuring ingredients and a few techniques! You learn about the legacy, the philosophy, and how the traditions are honored as knowledge is passed down from cucina to cucina for generations.
Mark & Monika are excellent students! And, they have a fabulous instructor!
Please wait for the slideshow!⇓
⇒ CLICK and Watch the Videos ⇓
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 4 Stretching the Dough
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 5 Making Ropes
Pasta Making with Yle – Part 6 How to Make the Orecchiette
And you learn so much more than a recipe – after your “hands on experience” you leave with a deeper appreciation for these rich local traditions! But first…vino with Michele!
Wine Tasting and Pairing with Michele!
Now it was time to enjoy local wines (of which I am very fond!) with Michele. Michele is a self-described passionate wine lover and we love learning about the wines of Puglia with him! Our tasting/pairing is, of course, more than just sipping and sampling local varietals.
You are introduced to the interesting story and unique characteristics of each wine and then enjoy it paired with the perfect antipasti (which is crucially important for optimal enjoyment of the wine and the local cuisine)!
Wine tastings/pairings are something I particularly enjoy since each wine is intimately tied to a specific terroir of each region and, typically, are not easily found elsewhere. Our tasting will include a typical vino bianco (white), a rosé, and two vini rossi (reds):
• Verdeca, a local white from the Itria Valley, is paired with a locally sourced cheese platter including canestrato pugliese, formaggio pecorino fresco, and caciocavallo.
• Rosato (rosé) with a sumptuous bruschetta of fresh tomatoes, arugula (“rocket”), capers and olive oil.
Please wait for the slideshow! ⇓
Reds:
• Susumaniello, which means “little donkey” and is a very unique varietal from near Brindisi, is paired with taralli and friselline topped with melanzane sott’olio (pickled eggplant).
• Primitivo, of course, paired with a hearty salami and cheese selection to match!
(Sorry, no videos, I was too busy enjoying the vino and delish antipasti!! Next time!)
Wow! What an AMAZING afternoon! Memories of being happily immersed in this intimate and wonderful ambiance with fun guests and longtime friends – that is Salento style!
♦ ♥ ♦
As with every region in Italy, each has its unique traditional regional cuisine and viticulture! “If it grows together, it goes together” is a rule of thumb and that’s another reason why these intimate immersive experiences are so enriching and rewarding!
Ylenia and Michele are passionate, knowledegable, and obviously love what they do… and they do much more than these classes! They are local destination professionals par excellence! And if YOU have Puglia (or Matera, Naples and more!) on your “bucket” list and you are ready to start planning, WE are here to help YOU!
(Photo: YLTOUR DMC)
Join us, won’t you? I promise that you will have memories that will last a lifetime!
⇒ To book your Pasta Making & Wine Tasting Class: CLICK HERE!
♦ ♥ ♦
Ylenia & Michele, YLTOUR DMC, are fabulous “Friends of Victoria”
Read more here about how we work together! Friends of Victoria!
Together we create, design and plan authentic, custom curated experiences just for YOU!
⇒ Let us plan your perfect Puglia vacation!
~ Can’t get to Puglia yet? ~
→ Ylenia teaches online Cooking Classes, too! CLICK HERE for more information!
→ Ylenia has an excellent recipe book available on Amazon (in English): Italian, Simple, Vegetarian: Easy Recipes with Lots of Healthy Ideas: CLICK HERE to purchase!
