Christmas in Albissola Marina

I go Christmas shopping with Émely

Really old-fashioned queuing with a numbered ticket at the butcher's, the fishmonger's, the greengrocer's and the cheese shop. Fortunately, we are with the two of us, so one queues where the line is longest, while they other hops in the next shop.

What a range and quality. This makes me so happy!!

At the butcher's I tell him what I want to prepare and if he can advise me. The man starts smiling, disappears to the back and comes back with three suggestions.

All three of his ideas are spot on. We thank him warmly and wish him a Merry Christmas.

I pay at the cash register, which was a bit disappointing compared to the Netherlands, but the quality is overwhelming. I don't know why, it’s just so much better.

The same happened at the fishmonger's, the greengrocer's and the cheesemonger's. At the last one, Émely went crazy🤣

A day full of impressions, espresso and prosecco! Finally home and into the kitchen 🥣 The Christmas preparations begin.

Christmas Day

Shame, all days beautiful weather and now rain☔️ Warm inside and grey outside I would almost think I was in the Netherlands.

Everyone gets up a little later and around 11 o'clock the Christmas brunch starts at a beautifully laid table. There is something for everyone, fresh bread from the baker, some ham from the butcher as well, as the grocery shops are open on Christmas morning in Italy, and of course a glass of prosecco to usher in Christmas.

At 4 o'clock it’s aperitivo time, in the end we are in Italy, aren't we?

Around 7 o'clock Émely and I go into my domain😂, in between we set the table and Mathijs uncorks the red wine. This is quite a job, opening a double magnum with an ordinary corkscrew💪

And as promised:

Our Christmas dinner

Due to the extensive aperitivo, I shorten the dinner to 4 courses, which is very little for me and for Italian standards. But better a little less than against all odds, after all, we have several days until New Year's Eve. Don't worry, nothing will go to waste.

A piece of game pâté with sweet-and-sour morels

Riesling Feinherb, Kirsten , Mosel Germany

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Langoustine bisque

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Beef roast from the oven, medium-rare to medium

Spiced green beans with walnuts

Jerusalem artichoke cream

Herdada da Capella, reserva 2009, Portugal

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Cheeseboard

Gorgonzola, spicy, with those beautiful brown pits of maturation

Robiola , strong, which is a combination of goat-, cow- and sheep milk

Taleggio , soft red cheese