Author Archives: chefbikeski

About chefbikeski

Culinary Director and Owner of Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine. Creator of uniquely personalized tours in Italy. Small groups, owner/expert led, customized to your desires, your budget. We personally design and lead each and every tour ourselves, to deliver the best in personalized service.

Pappardelle con Carciofi e Gamberi

I’m preparing for our upcoming season of our Italiaoutdoors Food and Wine Italy tours, and we begin with a short walking tour of of Venice.  My guiding partner Vernon leads us through the history of this fascinating city and the … Continue reading

Posted in Artichokes, Pasta, Shrimp, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Insalata di Cavolo Nero, Mele, Noce e Speck

In the mood for a hearty winter salad, the flavor combinations here came to me one night as I drifted off to sleep after spending a day researching the foods of Trentino-Alto Adige for our upcoming custom cycling tours through … Continue reading

Posted in Apples, Gluten Free, Salad, Travel, Trentino Food, Tuscany, Uncategorized, Vegetables | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trota su Letto di Spinaci – Trout on a Bed of Spinach

Our cycling and hiking tours this season will pass some of Italy’s lovely lakes. Lake Resia near the Austrian border is best known for the lone bell tower that emerges from its blue-green waters; the last visible remnant of the … Continue reading

Posted in Fish, Trout, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gratin di Porri – Leek Gratin

Leeks are a member of the garlic and onion family, believed to have originated in central Asia.Grown by the Greeks and Romans, Emperor Nero is said to have eaten leek soup every day to make his voice sonorous for delivering … Continue reading

Posted in Terlaner, Travel, Uncategorized, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Wine Pairings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Lunch in Venice – Spaghetti di Nero

Venice is perhaps Italy’s most extraordinary city – a city of elegant palazzos, palaces, theaters and markets surprisingly situated in the middle of a lagoon, connected by a maze of canals and bridges. Guests on our Veneto cycling tours often … Continue reading

Posted in Clams, Pasta, Travel, Uncategorized, Veneto Food, Wine Pairings | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments