“We do not do this work for the money,” begins legendary Italian butcher, Dario Cecchini, and nothing has ever been more clear. The gregarious, eighth-generation butcher is never without a smile on his face as he holds court from sun-up through supper time in his red-and-white-striped butcher shop and kitchen in Panzano, Italy. In this introductory story, follow Dario through a day in the life, which includes the real deal business of butchery, and hosting dozens of visitors a day for cantina-style meals in his dining room. He talks about the dignified and joyous life cycle of his animals, and the craftsmanship his team applies to the end product. He explains the inspiration behind his butcher for a day program, and how to identify the perfect steak. The story ends with a family-style dinner, where t-bones get passed between strangers so everyone can gnaw on the scraps. From the outside, it looks like a very long day, but Dario insists “he’s never worked a day in his life.”
Category: Thyme
Thyme
Kwame’s Pantry
Kwame just landed in Jamaica, and while he’s not yet sure what he’s going to cook, he’s going to stock his pantry with all the essentials: jerk paste, marination, curry powder, and all-purpose seasoning, which he calls “salt on steroids”.
Caramelized Carrots
All you need is three carrots, a handful of thyme, a bit of cream, olive oil, and a cast iron pan to make Francis’s latest hit vegetarian recipe. You’ve never tasted carrots quite like these.
Contorni
Nancy serves dinner in her Italian garden with a cascade of contorni that highlight the season’s best: roasted tomatoes with thyme & black olives; roasted cauliflower with caraway seeds; baked cabbage with olive oil; and baked onions with sage and vinegar.