One of the main reasons we chose our particular bike tour for our honeymoon was the food. The itinerary included such activities as wine tastings, olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations and truffle hunting. Plus, it was in Italy, so the food was pretty much guaranteed to be noteworthy and fantastic!
There was far too much fabulous food for me to include it all in one post, so be prepared for part 2 tomorrow.
The Most Frequently Consumed Beverage:
Since we were cycling an average of 30+ miles a day, water was the winner here. However, that doesn’t really count. 
Two-Way Tie goes to…
Espresso (in the form of macchiatos and cappucinos)
and Wine.
Now I wish I had an espresso maker, but I guess my coffee maker will have to do. As for the wine, I’ll have a full post about that later!
Most Unique Appetizer:
This has to go to the truffle-flavored soft cheese we were served on the second-to-last night. It was delicious, both alone and on bread!
The One Food I Was Afraid to Eat:
Steak tartare. Raw meat FREAKS me out (a fear I’m working to get over!), and I just couldn’t eat it. I tried one bite, and I was done. However, the mushrooms surrounding it were delicious.a
The Best Salad
Dan and I LOVED this zucchini salad with rocket, shaved Parmesan, pine nuts and truffle oil. So, so simple and delicious! The best bites were the ones with the cheese, because the sharp and salty cheese contrasted with the truffle oil wonderfully.
Did I mention that I had this with some pear-gorgonzola gnocchi? Such a fantastic, creative sauce!
The First Dish Dan Asked Me To Recreate At Home:
Baked onion stuffed with potatoes and cheese. He asked me to recreate several things over the course of the trip, but this was the first one. And understandably so–it was great! Like a stuffed pepper, but with a sweet onion instead. Yum!
The Best Fruity Dessert
Homemade preserves served with cheese. There was pear with sliced almonds (left) and peach (right). We had these at a family vineyard with lunch one day, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them for the rest of the day!
Pear gorgonzola gnocchi?! I need to try to make that!
Seriously. It is on my ‘to-make’ list!
the gnocchi sounds fabulous, as does the truffle cheese!
YUM
i LOVE that you did this for your honeymoon. what a fun, unique experience you guys will remember and cherish FOREVER.
the gnocchi & soft cheese you pictures look unreal! SO tasty!
Pear and Gorgonzola Gnocchi? I’m moving to Italy.
Wow everything looks SO good, especially soft truffle flavored cheese! I think thats an amazing idea for a honeymoon because you combine the best of so many worlds.
Pear gorgonazola gnocchi!!!
Ohh wow amazing food Julie! Can’t wait until you fulfill Dan’s request for the stuffed onion — that looks simply awesome!
anything you want to recreate at my apartment sounds A-OKAY to me
Oh my goodness. Aside from the steak tartare (eww) everything looks amazing. I’m totally making that zucchini salad. Sounds like you guys had a blast!
I would love to try the steak tartar!
Baked onion stuffed with potatoes and cheese!??!?!!??! You had me at cheese . . . but all of it sounds amazing. That soft cheese, too, looks really interesting!
So yummy! Traveling is such a great way to expand horizons and good recipe inspiration. Billy and I said the same things about recreating our favorite dishes from the trip – only he’s the book in our marriage. I can bake, though! (Kind of).
Ha, I’m going to assume you meant cook instead of book.
Ha! Yes, he’s the cook.
WOW, I want to try the baked onion and the zucchini salad! Any plans on posting your recipe for the onion? I’d love to hear it so that I can try it, too. Nom nom nom.
Once I nail down the recipe, I will definitely be posting it!!
Europe + food = the best. Hands down.
Living in Spain has turned me into a foodie.
Mashed potatos in an onion? The man of our house would LOVE that!
Uhhh YUM. I don’t think I could do the raw meat…even when I was a meat eater. Scary!
The most interesting food on the list for me is the baked onion stuffed with potatoes and cheese. I think if I’m in Italy I’ll try any food…it’s just the spirit of traveling right?
It all looks amazing. I want to go to Italy!
welcome back from italy! sounds like many amazing meals + experiences.
what a fun honeymoon!