Ciao Gusto

When Ciao Gusto got in touch and suggested I try their range, I had so many ideas about what I could make as I love Italian food and often cook it at home.  In the end though I found my inspiration in Venice and used that lovely city as my muse. My first visit to the city was during my university days when I was taking some art history courses (initially inspired by the fact that those courses involved some overseas trips, but soon I loved the art for itself). I studied Venetian Art and Architecture during the Renaissance and we visited some stunning buildings and wonderful art galleries, as well as some spectacular churches. Venice isn’t just a feast for the eyes though, it’s got a lot to offer the foodie. I can remember gifts of balsamic vinegar for the ladies at a restaurant we ate at quite a few times and Venice is where I discovered the Bellini cocktail.

So inspired by Venice I decided to create a special brunch. I wanted to keep it simple, but still bring in genuine ingredients and showcase those distinctive Italian flavours.  I picked out a really good Parmareggio Reggiano cheese and grated a little to sprinkle on my toast, before finishing under the grill.  Meanwhile I soft-boiled some eggs, to create an Italian twist on the old favourite eggs and soldiers.

Next up was a very special drink: Bellinis.  This refreshing cocktail is made from peaches and prosecco wine.  As it’s a wine based cocktail, it doesn’t pack too much of an alcoholic punch, so it’s more suited for an early drink and to my mind, it’s a lot nicer than Bucks Fizz.

Ciao Gusto is a family of famous Italian food and drinks brands, working together to tell their stories and to spread the love of Italian food and culture around the world. Every member of Ciao Gusto is acclaimed, a brand leader in Italy. Large or small, they all share a common heritage and devotion to quality. That’s why they’ve come together, sharing knowledge, passion, and their favourite Italian recipes. You can discover Ciao Gusto now at Ocado in their Italian Shop in Shop http://goo.gl/9ExTcV there’s a wonderful selection of products with many famous names and some new favourites.