Polpo, A Venetian Cook Book (of sorts)

Polpo A Venetian Cook Book (of Sorts)

Have you ever been to Venice?  We took a short trip there a few years ago for our wedding Anniversary,  it was in January so a little on the chilly side, but lovely all the same. We enjoyed four days of wondering over bridges and through the narrow streets which where lit up at night with strings of fairy lights, left over from the Christmas celebrations I think,  it looked so pretty, and one evening as we where making our way back from shopping, the locals seemed to  spill out onto the streets and stand around just chatting to each other. 

During the day we hopped on the water bus which would take us on a round trip through the canale's, looking at the lovely buildings with a mixture of peeling paint and grand architecture, each  strangely familiar even through this was our first trip to Venice,  we (I mean me) actually decided to visit Venice after seeing  the James bond film, Casino Royale you know, the one with the sinking building.  Sadly I didn't spot the building nor Daniel Craig  for that matter...  

We didn't really get adventurous with the food as we didn't know the best places to go, and what we did try was a little disappointing,  but we did find the most delicious cakes in a little coffee shop one day, drenched in something very  sweet and boozy,  which, after a morning walking around the little streets went straight to my head, (i'm a total light weight when it comes to alcohol) to this day I don't  know what it was called but it was delicious.

Polpo, A Venetian Cook Book (of sorts) published by Bloomsbury, is responsible for my little trip down memory lane today, filled with lovely photos (that makes me think we should visit Venice again, though maybe next time in the spring), and  one hundred and forty simple recipes all inspired by the culinary treats found in the back  streets of Venice  and recreated by Russell Norman.  If you intend to take a trip to Venice, take Russell Norman's advice, stay away from the tourist places to eat, and take a wonder down the back streets where the real taste of Venice awaits.

Take a little trip right now...