EBBP3: Fabulous Lucullian Delights!
Another EBBP, another great host(ess) in Johanna, another absolutely fantastic package full of surprises! My partner on the giving end, the lovely and super-talented Ilva of Lucullian Delights, filled a box to the very brim with wonderful Italian treats, and wrapped it in a beautiful gold embossed paper. It's really such a wonderful and thoughtful present, and I'm so thankful to Ilva for all of her efforts.
First seen and first opened, a simply scrumptious bottle of homemade Limoncello. I've wanted to try Limoncello for ages, and I'm so glad that my first taste was this one. I've really never had anything like it before- it's completely addictive. While it might be too cold in Italy for Ilva to drink this, as it must be super-chilled to be enjoyed properly, our mild English winter is a perfect match! It's just like summer in a glass.
Next came a large package of cocoa mix (with chili pepper!) from Slitti, which Ilva tells me is the very best in their own 'chocolate belt of Italy'. She wasn't kidding...the combination of flavours is intoxicating, and I hope to try their other selections someday.
A box of the most wonderful chocolate I've ever had, Zanzibar by Sperlari, was included as well. I am really not a fan of milk chocolate, preferring dark (or plain) much more, but this bar was a taste-changing experience for me. A thick slab, absolutely loaded with hazelnuts, it had my son and I closing our eyes and groaning in delight. Truly incredible, especially since Ilva told me that it is a special type made only for the holidays, so therefore unavailable at this point!
The final big element of this incredible comfort food package was a bag of taralli. Apparently this cracker comes in quite a few flavours, but Ilva sent the plain kind...just olive oil and white wine...which was a great introduction. I loved them so much that I went online to find a recipe immediately, and if they come out well I'll be making them all the time.
Packets of dried porcini mushrooms, red chillies, and saffron (!) filled in the nooks and crannies left by the larger items, along with Ilva's recipe for Hot Potato Soup with Saffron and Fried Eggplant, which I can't wait to try. Didn't I tell you this was an incredible package?
My thanks again to Ilva for being such a wonderful EBBP partner, and to Johanna for coordinating the whole affair. I can't wait to hear about, and participate, in the next installment!
