Puglian Pleasures

13/03/2025

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Puglia without the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist hotspots, then let me introduce you to San Vito dei Normanni—a charming, history-packed town just waiting to be discovered! And guess what? It’s only a couple of minutes' drive from my countryside villa, your perfect home away from home. 🚗💨 📜 A Town with a Story to Tell…...

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Puglia without the hustle and bustle of the usual tourist hotspots, then let me introduce you to San Vito dei Normanni—a charming, history-packed town just waiti…

05/03/2025

Discover Your Private Paradise in Puglia: A Luxurious Villa Escape Imagine waking up to the gentle rustle of olive trees, the sun casting golden hues across the Puglian countryside, and the promise of a day spent lounging by your very own private pool. Welcome to Villa Venere—named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility—our charming two-bedroom villa in San Vito dei Normanni is a hidden gem that offers the perfect blend of modern luxury and tranquil comfort....

01/03/2025

The biggest producer of wine and olives in Italy and home to the best bread in the world, discover Puglia - the destination every foodie MUST visit. Puglia is foodie heaven - it's home to over 50 million olive trees and produces 80 per cent of Europe's pasta The region also makes some of the best bread in the world and has been making top wine for over 1,700 years…...

24/02/2025

Majestic flight or annoying menace? - Migrating birds.

Swirling high in the sky, creating tornado funnel shapes, the migrating birds seem so majestic and intriguing, that I find myself gazing in wonder at their beautiful dance. But then 'bang, bang, ba...

21/02/2025

Grottaglie, located in the Taranto Province of Puglia, is famous for its 'artigianale' pottery, in particular: 'Pumi', bearded brides and household crockery! It is steep in history and tradition which dates back to the 17th Century. Grottaglie pottery is so renowned that it has been awarded a D.O.C (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). You may have seen this classification on Italian wine and the overall principles are the same....

Grottaglie, located in the Taranto Province of Puglia, is famous for its ‘artigianale’ pottery, in particular: ‘Pumi’, bearded brides and household crockery! It is steep in …

21/02/2025

Well, I finally did it! After living in Puglia for just over 4 years, I finally managed to see the infamous Putignano Carnival! And I think I timed it perfectly! The weather was beautiful, the sun was shining and there was a little nip in the air, but it all added to the excitement of the Carnival! After queuing to enter the city, buying an obligatory parking ticket, for €10 per car, then trying to find a space to park (there wasn't, as I had thought, a designated parking zone, just a free for all, find a spot and get in it quick!), so, after traversing around the city with no idea where the Carnival was, I eventually found a space big enough to get my little car parked....

Well, I finally did it! After living in Puglia for just over 4 years, I finally managed to see the infamous Putignano Carnival! And I think I timed it perfectly! The weather was beautiful, the sun ...

21/02/2025

Chiacchiere - A Traditional Carnival Treat

Throughout the Carnival period, Italians gorge on fatty treats, which traditionally they abstain from during the Lent period starting Ash Wednesday. And one of the most popular Carnival treats are ...

21/02/2025

Festa della Donna! - For all the special ladies out there!

The smell of blossom fills the air, as men all over Italy show their love and respect for the special women in their life, by presenting them with the beautifully scented and vibrant yellow coloure…

21/02/2025

Is this a dream or am I awake: I Pastini white wines from the Valle d'Itria

Originally posted by Green Puglia, written in Italian by Frank Maglio, adapted by Puglian Pleasures for our English readers. This is a dream: Angelo Laveneziana, a young Sommellier living in London...

21/02/2025

Cooking like a local - Pugliese Style!

Being British we tend to steal recipes from around the world and adapt them according to our taste, thus making many foreign dishes Britishish! (Do you like the way I just created a new word there?...

21/02/2025

Those who know me well, know I'm allergic to everything that once swam in the sea. So, when Angela suggested 'Polipo al sugo', Octopus in a tomato sauce, for our next cookery lesson, I was a little hesitant. But, 'when in Puglia, do as they do,' I thought and we all got stuck in; well, nearly all of us! Angela's first 'top tip', always buy fresh octopus and freeze it, then defrost before cooking....

Those who know me well, know I’m allergic to everything that once swam in the sea. So, when Angela suggested ‘Polipo al sugo’, Octopus in a tomato sauce, for our next cookery less…

21/02/2025

Fancy something a little different? Why not head to San Michele Salentino, where you have the choice of two events! Both including food and excellent wine from La Pruina, in association with Granelli Salento. 27th March from 8pm - Osteria Tranquilla 2nd April from 8:45pm at Corso Vittorio Veneto (The time stated on the poster is incorrect)

Fancy something a little different? Why not head to San Michele Salentino, where you have the choice of two events! Both including food and excellent wine from La Pruina, in association with Granel...

21/02/2025

This week's seasonal dishes are based on cardoncelli mushrooms, which are a flat based mushrooms from the Puglia region. Last time I cooked with cardoncelli mushrooms, there wasn't much left of them after I'd scrubbed all the dirt out from the tiny grooves underneath the cap of the mushroom! So this time I was a little more selective when purchasing them, only the biggest, best, and cleanest cardoncelli were selected!...

This week’s seasonal dishes are based on cardoncelli mushrooms, which are a flat based mushrooms from the Puglia region. Last time I cooked with cardoncelli mushrooms, there wasn’t much…

21/02/2025

Did you know that the word for Malaria derives from the Medieval Italian term 'mala aria' literally meaning, bad air? Perhaps this is why the Italians dislike moving air so much. You will frequently hear them say, 'che brutto tempo oggi, troppo vento' the weather is bad today, too windy. But sometimes you need a breeze to cool things down a bit....

Did you know that the word for Malaria derives from the Medieval Italian term 'mala aria' literally meaning, bad air. Perhaps this is why the Italians dislike moving air so much. You will frequentl...

21/02/2025

After previous visits to this part of Puglia in the first two years of the World Series in 2009 and 2010, Red Bull Cliff Diving returns to Polignano a Mare in 2015. The penultimate stop in the men's series of competitions, Polignano will host the third and final event in the Women's World Series. Back in the European Mecca of cliff diving!...

21/02/2025

Cooking like a local: Pugliese Style! - Going Solo!

Who would have thought it? Asparagus and eggs! It sounds like a crazy combination but it works! Giuseppe, a good friend of mine, cultivates asparagus on a large scale and gave me a tray of his fres...

03/12/2024

HOT NEWS!!!
The internationally renowned chef and star of TV, the one and only Sophie Grigson will be at the craft fair on 15th December signing her latest book, Exploding Tomatoes. Of course there will be some delicious Mince Pies and Brownies too!

So, come along to the Christmas Craft Fair and Car Boot Market and meet Sophie,
15th December from 10:00 at the Lifestyle Emporium, Ceglie Messapica.

NOTIZIE CALDE!
La chef di fama internazionale e star della TV, l'unica e inimitabile Sophie Grigson, sarà presente alla fiera dell'artigianato il 15 dicembre firmando il suo ultimo libro, Exploding Tomatoes. Ovviamente sarà deliziose Mince Pies e brownies anche.

Quindi, venite alla fiera dell'artigianato di Natale e al mercatino dell'auto e incontra Sophie, il 15 dicembre dalle ore 10:00 al Lifestyle Emporium Ceglie Messapica.

22/11/2024

Ah, the passeggiata—Italy’s most beloved national sport (sorry, that's calcio). For those unfamiliar, the passeggiata is a leisurely stroll through the town, typically taken at a pace slower than a turtle wading through olive oil. It’s not just walking; it’s a performance, a social event, and—if you’re in Puglia—an absolute must....

Ah, the passeggiata—Italy’s most beloved national sport (sorry, that’s calcio). For those unfamiliar, the passeggiata is a leisurely stroll through the town, typically taken at a pace slower …