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Piacere – Food & Travel without rules!A blog about food, travel and fine art photography

Category: Graubünden

Sweewis Alp Spektakel – A Swiss Fall Tradition

August 19, 2018 0 comments Video Alps, Countries, Entertainment, Events, Food, Food-Photography, Gastronomy, Graubünden, Landscape, Music, Nature, Photography, Photojournalism, Street Photography, Switzerland, Travel, Travel Photography, Vacations Patricia Turo

Seewis is in the Prättigau/Davos Region of Switzerland.  The language spoken is Swiss German and it is located high up on the green pastures of the alps. Homecoming of the cows in September/ October is celebrated with great fan fair, cow bells, älpen horn, folk music and local specialties such as bundnerfleisch (air dried meat), raclette, alpen kasse, the regional cheese. It is a traditional event played out throughout Switzerland. Small family run farms blanket the alps and this festival highlights local traditions, costumes and the spirt of the alps.

I joined in the festivities and created a video I hope will give you a little bit of the atmosphere of the Vehaker, the return to the barns from the upper alps.

The Wimmlet (Wine Harvest)at Jürg Obrecht Winery in Jenins, Switzerland

October 1, 2016 0 comments Article Alps, Drinks, Events, Graubünden, Landscape, Nature, Photography, Switzerland, Travel, Travel Photography, Vacations, Wine Patricia Turo

This year’s harvest is in full swing in the Bünder Herrschaft.

Last year I had the fortune of photographing Jürg Obrecht and his team harvest and process the grapes.

With urgency and passion, the activity was intense as the temperature in the evening was beginning to drop.

Not a minute could be wasted in getting the grapes into the crushers and vats.

The moment to harvest is decided with experience, gut and closely watching the weather.

Jürg took over his father’s winery (Weinbau & Weinhandel) in 1997. Along with his young family he built a team of talented people to develop and create innovative and traditional wines.

Added to the production of his own 17 acres of vineyards he buys the harvest from another 50 acres of vineyards in Jenins and Maienfeld.

Surrounded by spectacular views of the Alps he produces excellent and award winning red and white wines.

Jürg modernized his production with the newest techniques and equipment to generate top quality wines.

Eighty percent of the grapes he grows are Pinot Noir, the rest are mainly Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Riesling  and Sylvaner.

I thank Jürg and his team for tolerating my camera and me and for the lovely glass of wine.

It was hard to shoot and drink at the same time, but as always I found a way and completely enjoyed the experience.

For more information of the Fünf Dörfer – The 5 villages along the Wine Route of Maienfeld Switzerland

http://turosdolci.pturo.com/funf-dorfer-the-…feld-switzerland/

Traveling the Bernina Pass, Switzerland

February 12, 2016 0 comments Article Alps, Graubünden, Landscape, Photography, Photojournalism, Switzerland, Travel, Travel Photography, Vacations Patricia Turo

The Bernina Pass is one of Europe’s highest alpine passes at 2253-metre-high. It is located in the Canton of Graubünden and The Bernina Express runs from Chur, Davos, St Moritz through Valposchiavo to Tirano in Italy.

The stunning and rugged landscapes and pristine ice blue lakes provide magnificent views of the Alps. Alp Grüm (2,091 m) is the first station south of the Alps situated above Largo Palü. The train negotiates  55 tunnels and 196 bridges. The highest point on the RhB is 2,253 metres above sea level, where you will find the Ospizio Bernina.

The route takes you on a journey into Swiss German, Romanish and Italian villages, cultures and languages. It offers a unique experience of Alpine life in small villages as well as the glamour of St Moritz. It is considered one of the world’s most beautiful train trips.

The Radishes Bahn is one of the Largest Network of Rail systems in Switzerland except for the Swiss Federal Railway. RhB section from the Albula/Bernina area (the part from Thusis to Tirano, including St Moritz) was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2008.

 

Enjoy some of the landscapes along the Bernina Pass.

Information can be found on Wikipedia, Eurail.com – (http://www.eurail.com/europe-by-train/scenic-trains/bernina-express),the Rhaetian Railway at https://www.rhb.ch/en/panoramic-trains/bernina-express and My Swisshttp://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/search/index.cfm?phrase=Bernina+Express%2FBernina+Pass

 

Black & White Spider Award Nominations

October 21, 2013 0 comments Article Art, Events, Exhibits, Florida, Graubünden, Photography, Photojournalism, Silhouette, Switzerland, Travel, United States, Vacations, Weekly Photo Challenge Patricia Turo

BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS HONORS PHOTOGRAPHER Patricia Durr-Turo FROM The USA.

LONDON October 28, 2013 – Amateur photographer Patricia Durr-Turo of the USA was presented with the 8th Annual Black and White Spider Awards Nominee in two categories, Photojournalism and Silhouette at a prestigious Nomination & Winners Photo Show. The live online ceremony webcast Saturday, October 19, 2013 was attended by photography fans in 75 countries that logged on to see the climax of the industry’s most important event for black and white photography.

The awards international Jury included captains of the industry from the Tate in London, Heffel Fine Art, FoMu Fotomuseum, FTM Advisory, Camera Work, Art Stage Singapore, Aeroplastics Contemporary, Galerie Baudoin Lebon in Paris, to Fratelli Alinari in Florence who honored Spider Fellows with 246 coveted title awards and 938 nominees in 14 categories.

“It is an incredible achievement to be selected among the best from the 9,456 entries we received this year,” said Basil O’Brien, the awards Creative Director. Patricia Durr-Turo’s “Umbrellas,”an exceptional image entered in the Silhouette category and “The State Fair Lady”entered in the Portraits, represents black and white photography at its finest, and we’re pleased to present her with the title of “Nominee.”Portraits

BLACK AND WHITE SPIDER AWARDS is the leading international award honoring excellence in black and white photography. This celebrated event shines a spotlight on the best professional and amateur photographers worldwide and honors the finest images with the highest achievements in black and white photography.

Contact: Patricia Durr-Turo

Email: pturo@pturo.com

Website:  http://pturo.com

Category: Portraits

Category: Silhouette “Umbrellas”

Website Link:  thespiderawards.com/pre-party.html

My Favorite Season – Graubunden Switzerland

May 28, 2013 0 comments Article Alps, Countries, Graubünden, Landscape, landscapes, Nature, Photography, Travel, Travel Photography, Vacations Patricia Turo

Hiking in the mountains is invigorating as we pass people parasailing, white water rafting, motorcycling, mountain biking, horse back riding, all taking advantage of the cool days in the mountains during the summer.

The sunsets paint the sky in tones of red, orange and yellow.  Thunderstorms echo throughout the mountains and when they leave they seem to say “I’m sorry for making such a fuss, so I’ll leave you with a rainbow”.

The valleys spring into life as flowers turn the hills and meadows into shades of blue, yellow, red and white and their sweet aromas penetrate the air. Restaurants are crowded with guests enjoying eachothers company surrounded by flower covered houses. The Summer!

In the Autumn the trees turn yellow and orange and the cows are escorted down to the valley as the air becomes crisp and  snow threatens.

Farmers rush to sickle down grass and stack the hay in barns for the winter.  Cows, sheep, goats and horses are now grazing in the valley, their last chance to roam free.

The vines are heavy with deep blue and yellow grapes ready to be harvested. The wine fests begin!

I love looking out over Serneus as I hike down from the mountain and  the Summer gives way to Autumn colors. I think this might be my favorite time of the year. The Autumn!

At the first sign of snow the villagers move into action preparing for the arrival of the ski season. Anticipation builds up to the  lifts opening. I’m sorry to see the Autumn come to a close, but one of my favorite seasons is around the corner.

My favorite moment is when I walk out of my bedroom in the morning and view the  light snow peacefully falling over the village from my picture window.  The church steeple reaches out to greet the soft flakes and the ski run begins to take shape behind it.

Klosters turns from green to white with ice clutching the edges of the mountain streams.

Thoughts of skiing alone down wide open slopes with views that carry you to the ends of the earth begins to sweep over me.  The Winter!

In early Spring the snow covered peaks provide a backdrop for the green rolling hills against a deep blue shy and the contrast is amazing, yes this is my favorite season.


The blue and green colors of the lakes are translucent as the sun penetrates the water.

Mountain streams are swollen as rushing water flows from the glaciers. Deer can be spotted along the hills nibbling at the new grass after a long winter. Spring is one of my favorite seasons. The Spring!

I can’t quite make up my mind which is my favorite season.

Hunting Season begins in Switzerland and Venison is on the menu

September 3, 2009 0 comments Article Food-Gastronomy, Food-Photography, Graubünden, Homemade pasta, Meats, Wine Patricia Turo

Hunting season has arrived and hunters head for the mountains in search for deer, elk and mountain goat. The hunting season is only about 3 weeks or the time that is needed to meet the culling goals of the herds. Hunters deliver their game to the local butchers who prepare them and sell the meat. Hirsch, Reh (venison and elk) are prepared into steaks, racks, sausage, Hirsch Peffer (marinated venison in wine) and Hirsch Bündner Fleisch (air dried meat a Graubünden speciality. The meat is rubbed with a mixture of pepper, juniper berries, herbs and salt and hung to dry in small barns in the mountains about 5,500 ft. for several month. During this time the meat loses about 50% of the water content. The Bündner Fleisch is then sliced into razor thin slices and served with cornichons (sour pickles), rye bread, small pickled onions and tomatoes. It is a Bündner specialty, although it is also made in the Ticino (Italian part of Switzerland). Veltliner wine is often consumed with Bündner Fleisch. Veltliner is a blend of Ciavennasca, Pinot Noir and Merlot grapes, produced in Graubünden and Lombardy, Italy. Veltliner is mostly sold in Switzerland and Northern Italy.

Today some factories reduce the drying process using air blowers. The product made internationally does not compare to the one made in Switzerland. In Graubünden it is offered in every restaurant and served on rustic wooden pallets.

We put our order in for Reh and Hirsch medallions, racks and steaks with our local butcher and have it frozen so that we can have local venison during the winter months. Grilling it over an open wood fire adds a slightly smoky rustic flavor. Traditionally Spätzli (a dumpling made by making a batter and scraping small pieces off into boiling water), wine poached pears with cranberry sauce and glazed chestnuts are served with venison. But I have created a chestnut fettuccine that I think compliments grilled venison.

Grilled Venison
Cervo alla Griglia

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 2-3 minutes on each size depending on the weight
Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients
2-6 oz. venison medallions
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Freshly ground pepper
Kosher salt

Bring the venison to room temperature. Rub each one with olive oil, salt and pepper on both sides.

Wood Fire
Allow the fire to burn down to red coals, but it should be just a little smokey. Place the medallions on the grill and cook them on the wood fire until the meat slightly springs back to your touch. If it is resistant it is over done. This usually takes a few minutes on each side. The venison should be a deep rose color in the middle.

Venison can be grilled on an electric or coal grill, but the woody, smoky flavor when grilled over a wood fire gives the venison a wonderful rustic flavor.

Chestnut Fettuccine

Recipe Summary
Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes for the sauce and 3 minutes for the fettuccine
Yield: 4 Servings

Dough Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour 00, (if you can’t find 00 use all purpose flour)
1/2 cup chestnut flour
Pinch of salt
2 medium sized eggs
2 tablespoons tepid water

In a food processor, place all the dry ingredients except for the water. Add the eggs. Start the mixer allowing the ingredients to blend for 30 seconds, then add the water. As soon as it starts to look like it is a heavy corn meal, stop the processor and feel the dough. It should be very dry, but when pinched between your fingers, it should stick together. Don’t add additional water unless the dough is not sticking together. Remove the mixture and knead for 10-15 minutes by hand. The amount of water may be needed.

If you are making the dough by hand, place the flour on a board and make a well in the middle. Add the eggs in the well and mix the wet ingredients into the flour with a fork. Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes. Form the dough into a ball, cover it with a clean kitchen towel to prevent it from drying out.

Using a pasta machine, roll a piece of the dough through each level. Once you have rolled it through the last level the dough will be ready to roll through the noodle cutter of the pasta machine. Rolling the dough through these levels also kneads it. Using the noodle cutter, roll a piece of dough through and take half the noodles and roll them around your hand to form a little nest. Put them on a kitchen towel and let them dry. If you have a pasta hanger, don’t make nests, but hang them to dry. You can also roll the dough into a cylinder and cut it with a knife about 1/4″. Toss with a little flour.

Drop the fettuccine in a large amount of lightly boiling salted water and test after a few minutes. They should take only about 3 minutes to cook.

Note:. Chestnut flour may be found in specialty stores

Sage & Pine Nut Sauce

Recipe Sumary
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 6-7 minutes
Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients
1 lb pasta
12 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
6 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
Several leaves of fresh sage
Salt to taste

In a deep pan, boil salted water and cook the fettuccini. If the pasta is boxed, cook according to directions. If the pasta is fresh, it will take less than 3 minutes to cook.

While the water is heating up, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, melt the butter and the oil. Cut the sage leaves lengthwise and place them in the saucepan along with the pine nuts. Sauté it in the butter and oil, watch the pine nuts very carefully as they will brown very quickly. Remove from the stove as soon as they start to turn golden brown and allow them to finish browning in the hot butter. If the sauce needs more liquid, add a little boiling water from the pasta.

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