Explore Italian cuisine in this 3-hour class focussed on Ligurian classics: Trofie Pasta with Basil Pesto, and Amaretti de Sassello.
In this class, you will learn how to make trofie pasta dough, shape and cook, creating an accompanying basil pesto and blanching green beans. For the Amaretti di Sassello, you will learn how to make a meringue and shape and bake the bitter almond cookies.
In this class, you will make:
- Trofie Pasta, Basil pesto, Fine Green Beans and Ratte Potato
- Amaretti di Sassello: Soft Bitter Almonds Cookies
Basil pesto is traditionally made with mortar and pestle, and gently pounded until it reaches a paste-like texture: using a hand blender or a speed blender for practicality requires some finesse. While ‘pasta al pesto’ is eaten everywhere in Italy, it is traditional in Liguria to add green beans and potato so that creaminess and further greenery is added to the dish.
Amaretti were traditionally made using regular almond (prunus amygdalus) and bitter almonds (prunus amygdalus var. amara) which are a lot more aromatic, however toxic for the high level of cyanide they contain. Natural flavourings of bitter almond are available in shops to substitute this, however they should be used in very small quantities to avoid overpowering the more subtle notes of the regular almond.
Everything you make is yours to enjoy on the day or take away with you. No prior knowledge is required for this course and it is suitable for both novices and cooks with some experience.
Class structure
Your day will be a mixture of in-kitchen demonstrations performed by the chef who is running the session and hands-on practical cookery, where you are guided by the expert teaching chef. The exact format will vary from class to class depending on the style of cuisine and length of the course.
Included in the price:
- 3-hour group practical lesson
- Recipe booklet
- Apron
- Tea towel
- All ingredients
- All cooking equipment and teaching resources are provided in our kitchen for use on the day.
What you need to bring:
- Sensible, flat-soled shoes. Open toes are not advised
- Tupperware to transport your products home
Purchasing as a gift?
If looking to purchase this course as a gift for someone, it is advisable to purchase a Gift Card to the value of this course instead. This can be redeemed on this course, or any of our other short courses, or at La Boutique and Café Le Cordon Bleu London.