Listen to A Florence Feast in Sotho:
Live The Good Life With A Feast From Florence
Italian food is more than pizza and pasta!
Few people know this, but a great T-bone steak is actually the signature dish of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities.
Yes. You read that right.
Florence, or Firenze as the locals say, renowned for its art, architecture, and cultural heritage, is also the home of Bistecca alla Fiorentina.
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The Rarest Of Florence Steaks
This delicious three-finger thick porterhouse T-bone is braaied over a flaming grill for only a few minutes and served EXTREMELY rare. True Florentines say no more than 5 minutes on a side.
If bloody steak doesn’t work for you, feel free to cook it low and slow for a bit longer, but a true Fiorentina is NEVER well done.
Simplicity Is Key in Florence
To highlight the quality of the meat, the steak is seasoned simply, using only salt and pepper. Lemon and garlic might be allowed, but no store-bought basting sauce or other nonsense for this Italian hero.
The simplicity and super quick cooking time of the Fiorentina is what makes it such a great meal to entertain with.
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Don’t Fuss in Florence
It can be served with anything, but the classics are usually creamy polenta (yellow Italian maize porridge), or the South African staple of potatoes wrapped in tin foil and cooked in the coals. Don’t fuss with sauces, and don’t overdo the sides.
Enjoy the rustic luxury of setting down a perfectly cooked slab of meat in the center of the table and eating it family-style, cutting off slithers as you go.
Top Tip: Have small pots of course salt on the table so your guests can season their own meat.
If you want, you can serve a simple Insalata Caprese with it. In sticking with the simplicity of the menu, this salad consists of perfectly ripe slices of tomato with torn chunks of Fior di latte mozzarella and fresh basil leaves. No lettuce, nothing else.
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In Vino Veritas
Ply your guests with wine (South African red wines pair wonderfully with this style of meat) or frosty Italian beers. If you want to further embrace the Italian theme, why not start off with an Aperol Spritz?
Finally end off your evening in true simplistic elegance, with Italian Gelato. Once again – no need for sauces or other fuss. Just the best ice cream you can find. Gelatola Cremosa in Johannesburg is a great place to get the very best authentic Gelato.
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”- Leonardo da Vinci
For a step-by-step guide to choosing and cooking your Bistecca alla Fiorentina, click here:
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