Above Capri Is Anacapri ~ Home To Maria's Kitchen™

Above Capri is Anacapri, home to Maria’s kitchen, garden and cantina. There is the simple folk also residing in Anacapri and they are called Ciammura. Ciammura, pronounced ‘cha-moore-ra’ are the contadini or the farmers who have been growing fruits and vegetables and making wine for centuries up in Anacapri; Capri of above came from the Greeks. In Maria’s kitchen, you will learn to cook like the contadini, healthy, organic and Mediterranean!

Join us for 5 extraordinary days on the island of Capri for a one-a-kind Cooking Vacation bringing you into the home and kitchen of Chef Maria, while staying in a 4 star Resort in Capri. During your visit to the Isle of Capri, you will tour the island with our private driver, discover secret addresses, and learn Caprese cooking. Chef Maria leads you through traditional menus of cooking Caprese, with seasonal island ingredients, fresh local fish, the making of an antipasto, pasta, a main dish and dolce, dessert-all in one day. Chef Maria shares her secret recipes of ravioli capresi, pesce al limone, torta di Capri, and limoncello in this special cooking and touring adventure featuring the food and splendor of Capri.

As featured in September 2010 – Click here to read more!

Capri Cooking Classes

Up in Anacapri, Maria leads hands-on cooking classes with fresh seasonal veggies and fruits from her garden and fresh, local fish from her son’s boat, meats, and vegetarian too for a full course lunch or dinner. In each class you will prepare an appetizer, pasta or Ravioli or Risotto, secondo, and dessert. Everyone enjoys the foods prepared in class at the family table. Toast with a glass of home made wine made by Maria’s husband from their cantina and end with a sweet Capri dessert!

Turn open the wrought iron gate that frames a welcoming ceramic tile bearing the name Maria and step inside to the garden and cantina kitchen. A long country wooded table topped with fire engine red bell peppers, sweet cherry tomatoes, garlic and eggplant greet you, and there in her apron is Maria.

“I don’t measure, I use my eyes,” she tells us in Neapolitan dialect. Her burning black eyes are the color of the olives that she serves spiked with fennel. She opens the door of the 100 year old wood-burning oven and the sweet smell of salsiccia paesana-handmade sausage wrapped in wild laurel leaves hits your nose.

From spring peas to poppies, summer roses, celery, potatoes, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, black cherries, oranges, lemons and autumn squash are just a few of the things in her organic garden. “What’s in our garden is on our table,” Maria explains. Her garden stretches from the foot of her kitchen and down toward the sea.

The table spread includes what Maria calls ‘food for the farmers,’ zucchini alla scapece~flash fried squash (that have been cut on a mandolino to paper thin coins) and dressed with mint, olive oil and sea salt; Caprese~a handmade braid of Mozzarella dressed with cherry tomatoes and basil; involtini di melanzane~thinly sliced grilled eggplant that have been rolled and stuffed with smoked mozzarella and topped with diced cherry tomatoes; fagiolata~fresh brown beans slow cooked with onion and pancetta in the brick oven, and fritturine di basilico & fritturine di fiore di zucchine~small flash fried puffs or boffe as they are called, consisting of fresh basil and squash flowers flash fried in sunflower oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Zeppole Anacaprese~sweet golden puffs twisted in a knot, lightly flash fried, dredged in sugar, filled with a crema pasticciera and topped with a black cherry are for dessert. This antica dolce dessert recipe, as Maria calls it, is made with flour, potatoes, sugar, butter and a little lemon.

The Island

Capri the magical island located in the Bay of Naples, 20 minutes from Positano and Sorrento, has attracted Italy’s kings and queens over the centuries and the modern jet-set. Tour Tiberius’ villas, the Blue Grotto and Anacapri’s Villa San Michele. This Mediterranean island that has mystified the world’s great artists, writers and poets, continues to attract visitors from around the globe. Its diverse landscape, including jetting cliffs vertically pointing from the sea, to the chic shopping area with international boutiques to the laid back hills of Anacapri, this magical island has a little bit for everyone.

Capri’s famous Blue Grotto is often called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” The Blue Grotto has a special cavern entrance where the sunlight reflects through the water in the cave, tingeing it a dramatic Mediterranean cerulean shade of blue. Capri is Italy’s most popular and glamorous seaside island and is just twenty minutes away from Positano or Sorrento. Upon arriving in the port of Capri, our private driver, will drive you up the winding road to Capri past the famous Piazza Umberto. Piazza Umberto, known as ‘la piazzetta,’ is perched high above the sea and offers a panoramic view of the Bay of Naples. During the week, you will tour the island visiting hidden treasures, secret addresses and Anacapri-the highest point on the island. Capri, the magical island, named after the wild capre, mountain goats, who perch its jetting cliffs, offers a vast contrast between the jet set and untouched nature at its best.

Capri In Bloom

Capri’s flowers and aromatic herbs have been used for centuries to make perfumes and flavors for the kitchen. While on the island, we suggest a self-guided Flower Walk, to see the island in bloom. Capri’s famous perfumes were made from the many varieties of wild flowers, plants and herbs that perfume the island itself. Start in the square, Piazza Vittorio in Anacapri and head toward the Villa San Michele, turning right up Via Monte Solaro before you reach the villa. Pass the scented pines as you ascend up the path toward Monte Cappello arriving at an iron cross. The flowers along the way include ginestra, a thistle type bright colored bloom called Spanish or Weaver’s Broom. You also see orchids of magenta and wild pinks and yellow, pink and violet daisies sprouting along the way. At the cross, bear left to continue up to Monte Santa Maria A. Cetrella, a small church built in the 14th century was the sanctuary of seamen who visited to pray before setting out for months at sea to fish or collect the red Mediterranean coral. From the church descend again to the iron cross and turn left to follow a different path back to the center of Anacapri. This walk takes about 2 hours, plus time to enjoy the beauty and fragrances of the natural flowers and trees.

Accommodations

Check in and relax at our Caprese 4 star hotel in the heart of Capri. Our exclusive home away from home with its professional and well-appointed staff, Norberto, Roberto and Signore Antonio at your service with VIP treatment during your stay. Large classic-style bedrooms with private en-suite bathroom, ample balconies spilling out onto Capri, air conditioning, mini bar, air conditioning, minibar, satellite TV, complimentary wifi internet, swimming pool and outside restaurant café, are just a few of the amenities and services.

The small and refined hotel is pristine and luxurious, complete with daily maid service. Modern renovations respecting the classic Mediterranean architecture-with the typical Capri atmosphere, columns, arches and vaults create a magical atmosphere. A full buffet breakfast is served including cappuccino, espresso, fruit, cheese, toasts, Capri cake and sweets, cereal and more.

A relaxing scenic swimming pool refreshing drinks, café, light lunches and afternoon cocktails set in the white Capri architecture, overlooking Marina Piccola Bay provides perfect relaxation during your stay. A pool bar serving refreshing drinks, café, light lunches and afternoon apertivi. The hotel is located five minutes off the Piazza Umberto, ‘theatre to the world for people watching’ according to Norman Douglas, and a short drive up to Anacapri. Enjoy the privately secluded atmosphere just moments from the bustle of Capri, in the Mediterranean gardens of the lush Island.

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Itinerary: 5 days, 4 nights

Day 1: Benvenuti & Welcome

• Arrival on your own. Check in and relax.
• Chef’s Tasting Dinner at our favorite local ristorante featuring a Tasting Menu of local and seasonal dishes. Sample typical Caprese foods such as Insalata di Mare, grilled octopus and squid served marinated in lemon juice and spices, ravioli capresi, handmade pasta rolled and stuffed with fresh goat’s cheese straight from the rocky hills of the island, Pezzogna all’acqua Pazza, local white fish in ‘crazy water’ with chili pepper, wine and a handful of ripe cherry tomatoes. Desserts include the famous Caprese cake, a dense flourless almond-chocolate cake dusted with powdered sugar, pastiera, a spring cake made with fresh ricotta cheese, and Torta al Limone, a lemon-almond cake perfect with the sweet and strong lemon liquor, limoncello.

Day 2: Island Tour By Land & Cooking Class 1

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet your driver for a full morning Island Tour in one of Capri’s famous canopy-covered convertibles. Your driver and guide will take you to the gems of the Island of Capri along with the secret addresses unknown to tourists. Learn the story of the Madonna in the cliff, peaking out of a cliff-side grotto, she is said to protect the fisherman and bring them safely home to Capri. Peak at the winding Phoenician stairs that lead from the port to the highest parts of the island. Learn the myths and truths of Emperor Tiberius’ lavish parties and his 12 imperial villas that once stood ruling the island.
• You will have time to explore during the tour and lunch is on your own.
• In the afternoon meet Chef Maria for your Cooking Class 1. Start by picking the freshest fruits and vegetables from Maria’s garden and begin creating your complete 4 course dinner. Depending on the season, take advantage of the freshest fruits and vegetables and fruits of the sea, perhaps Maria’s son’s catch from the morning. Learn the trick to simple and delicious cooking, focusing on the quality of the ingredients and natural flavors. Start with an appetizer such as the fresh cherry tomato, Bruschetta on toasted bread then knead, roll, cut and shape your own fresh pasta. Grill fresh fish such as Pezzogna, Orata and other local Mediterranean fish to perfection or sauté jumbo shrimp in a pan to bring out their natural sweet flavors for your second course. Melt fondente, dark chocolate and whip up the caprese cake and enjoy your entire meal with full-bodied local Capri wine.
• Dinner follows on the foods prepared on class. Local wine, water, dessert and coffee included.

Day 3: Gourmet Tour & Cooking Class 2

• Breakfast is served.
• Head out for a self-guided tour of Anacapri, starting in the main Piazza Vittoria Worlds away from Capri, though only 20 minutes, is Anacapri, a town which seems to be frozen in time. It is hard to believe these two towns share the same island. Axel Munthe, whose former home sits atop Anacapri explained, “The place is small, it was built by me on the principle that the soul needs more room than the body.” Villa San Michele, now a museum is guarded by two mystical sphinxes, whom, if you caress them, will bring you the good fortune of returning to the enchanting island.
• Continuing through the alleyways of Anacapri, you will stumble upon Chiesa San Michele. The mosaic floor of this tiny chapel depicts Paradise on Earth: The Expulsion of Adam and Eve, painted by Leonardo Chiaese in 1761. Mythical creatures roam the floor that can be viewed from a boardwalk around the edge of the chapel or from the second level, reachable by a spiral staircase.
• Enjoy lunch on your own in Anacapri. Suggestion: Materita, in the quiet piazza overlooking the church Santa Sofia.
• In the afternoon, meet for your Gourmet Tour. A young Caprese Chef standing in his Chef’s hat greets you! Before you can finish saying “Ciao,” you will be tasting an array of local & exotic cheeses from Italy’s best artisan makers, hand-made pastas uniformly lined in the case, chocolate and local candied oranges, and a country board lined with salami, ham, Prosciutto and dry sausage. All products are raised naturally and organic. Taste & Tour. Your food guides will keep you informed on each product and its method for cooking.
• As you continue on your Gourmet Tour, learn about the local pastas, seasonal sauces, rice for Risottos, spices & herbs, and salts, to name a few. Exotic pink salt can be found in this fabulous gourmet shop.
• Then, head into the kitchen with Chef Maria for your Cooking Class 2. Collect what you need from the garden and it’s off to the kitchen for delicious alici marinate, marinated anchovies typical of the island to start. Take out the peperoncino, chili pepper and make dishes such as linguine con le cozze, linguini with mussels, and save the rest of the mussels for your second course of steamed mussels with lemon and taste the world of difference in the different ways of cooking these mysterious shellfish. Menus vary based on seasonal availability and to accommodate food allergies and diet needs. Finish your class with a traditional fresh dessert such as fragoline con panna, wild strawberries with fresh whipped cream or a seasonal crostata di frutta, fruit tart.
• Dinner follows and everyone enjoys the foods prepared in class. Wine, water, dessert and coffee included.

Day 4: Capri By Sea & Cooking Class 3

• Breakfast is served.
• Enjoy a morning Boat Tour with our captain who will take you on a seafaring tour of the island of Capri. Sail slowly around the island admiring the jagged and varied coastline with stops for a dip in the salty sea. Learn the history of the island and the evidence in it’s shores from the Faraglioni to Punta Carena, the Blue Grotto to Marina Piccola. Weather and tides permitting, visit the Grotta Azzurra, the Blue Grotto where you may swim in or slip though the small opening in a rowboat with a singing gondolier. The glistening blue inside the grotto is unparalleled in beauty fit for royalty, hence its nickname as Emperor Tiberius’ swimming pool. Entrance ticket to the Blue Grotto not included.
• Lunch on your own.
• In the afternoon, tie on your aprons and fasten your chef’s hat for your Cooking Class 3 with Chef Maria. Your third class focuses on pizza-making from start to finish as the Caprese people claim to have pizza that rivals their mainland neighbor in Naples. Mix and knead your dough and top with traditional and toppings of your choosing and fire up the wood-burning brick oven to fire-bake your pizza to perfection. (Minimum of 4 people for Pizza Making, traditional menu can be substituted.)
• After class, dinner is served on the foods prepared in class and everyone enjoys the fruits of their labor with wine, dessert and coffee following.

Day 5: Arrivederci Capri!

• Breakfast is served.
• Check out and departure. Arrivederci!