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We had received a phone call during the week from a good friend of ours, Stefano, saying he was going fishing on the upcoming Saturday and so we were invited for barbecued fish for Sunday lunch.
 Hilariously, 5 minutes after ending the phone call our friend's wife rang to inform us, in hushed tones, not to worry, she had planned a delicious chicken dish just in case he came home empty handed!
But her worries were for nothing, since when we arrived on Sunday, we were greeted by Stefano looking quite impressed with himself as he immediately invited us in to look at his fabulous catch!
The trip from Florence to Greve in Chianti is so spectacular that we had decided to go via motorbike. It is only a 40 minute ride to our friends' house, and the views along the way are just spectacular.
 A good ride through Tuscany on a bike is incredibly therapeutic. It clears the mind - perhaps it is that the worries are blown away by the whipping winds on your face, perhaps it is being immersed in the stunning countryside, the rolling hills, the sense of past inter-wined with present and future.
Until 1972, Greve in Chianti was known simply as 'Greve'. The name was changed to 'Greve in Chianti' at this time to make it clear that Greve fell under the classic Chianti wine denomination zone. Greve has a population of 14,000 and 23 churches (which equates to almost 1 church per 600 people)!
Its history dates back to pre-Etruscan times and continued through this then the Roman era. Francescan monks settled here in the 1400s. It was not until the unification of Italy in 1861 whereby the various regions were united to form a single nation that Greve was freed from its historical Florentine control.
In 1993, Kenneth Branagh made his film, Much Ado About Nothing, here in Greve in Chianti, the film starring Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Michael Keaton and Keanu Reeves.
 Aside from being known for its wine, Greve in Chianti is also famed for its meats, particularly game. For those who prefer a different kind of hunting activity, Greve in Chianti is a gold mine of black and white truffles, and produces a great olive oil.
As we entered into the house, here was Maria, Stafano's beautiful wife checking on a tray of food in the oven. In the traditional Italian way, we exchanged heart-felt hugs and double cheek kisses as we were led towards the catch!
It was an impressive sized fish, large enough indeed to feed 4.
The men had the task of preparing the fish on the barbecue whilst the ladies volunteered to set the table for lunch. Being a lovely sunny Tuscan day, we decided to eat outside, so the table was prepared on the balcony where we were just metres away from the olive grove, and in perfect position to see the scattering of little towns in the valleys below and the Villas on the hilltops that surrounded this stunning, secluded property in Greve in Chianti.
 As the men cleaned the fish, collected wood from the olive grove to start the fire and nearly suffocated on the smoke that ensued from the lighting of the wood, it was clear who was the smarter of the species as the ladies could be found seated in the sunshine, sipping crisp white wine perfectly selected for the fish lunch, and nibbling on some fat green olives from the local markets.
Once the barbecue was lit and left to heat up, it was time for the starter. I was delighted to see the antipasto was one of my favourite meals - home-made stuffed artichokes! Next up was a light pasta dish comprised of fat ribbon pasta with a tuna sauce. Then it was time for the fish to go onto the grill. With a few slices of lemons picked from the garden, sliced and placed inside the fish, it was layed onto the barbecue grill and left to cook. It was just delicious served with a light garden salad.
We sat on the balcony until the sun set, watching it slip slowly down the sky. It was a different landscape that fascinated us on the ride home, but, as is near guaranteed in Tuscany, just as lovely.
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Cooking School in Tuscany
If you like to cook or just love food , we support a cooking class close to Florence. D due to theits great quality, friendliness of the chefs and the incredible response we have had incredible responses from the people who have attended these classes.
The cooking class is called “Good Tastes of Tuscany.” “ and Tthe classes are held in the magnificent kitchen of a 14th century castle . The classes involve hands on fresh pasta making , the tricks to the Ttuscan cooking techniques and a vast menu even for the basic classes beginning with from antipasto toand ending with the dessert.
You'll cook together with the Chef and after the class gets over you'll eat what all of you have prepared all together following the class. A full meal is served so you can relax and savour your efforts making e new friends , having ea laugh over a glass of wine and experiencinge the tuscan lifestyle of a bygone era. times gone by.
The classes are run by 2 bilingual (iItalian Eenglish) speaking chefs.
One of the chefs learnt by cooking from the most important of teachers: ; her family. The traditional Italian housewife that takes who took care of the house was the center of everything in a home and also for entertaining. The chef was taught by her grandmother and mother the skill of true Tuscan cooking and by her grandmother and mother. Llater through many courses and a catering business she has refined her cooking skills.
Another The second chef began his career as a restaurant owner in Florence and then expanded his knowledge through the most noted iItalian courses for professionals . They Both the chefs also have an indepth knowledge on the history of Tuscan cuisine, the variety of dishes from each area and seasons.
They are both warm , passionate and friendly people and very eager to please. , wWhen I have commented to them complimented them on about the satisfaction of the attendees they responded “ wWe just love people and what we do so much that this obviously transmits to the clients.”.
You can obtain information about the classes and also costs from the website:
www.tuscany-cooking-class.com
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