Cristoforo Trapani

a surprising intersection of Tuscany and Campania

Cristoforo Trapani’s background is interlaced with the flavors and colors of his Campania homeland and of his hometown, Piano di Sorrento. It was here that he first learned to make good use of the fresh produce that his mother, Felicia, sold in her shop. From there, he developed his concept of simple cuisine that gratifies the senses.

He completed his training working along side grand masters such as Heinz Beck, Gennaro Cannavacciuolo, Moreno Cedroni and Davide Scabin on his way to becoming a chef with a special talent for exalting the rich culinary traditions of southern Italy.

At Ristorante La Magnolia, Chef Trapani now proposes a creative, yet simple intersection Tuscan and Campanian cuisine that is never pretentious. His dedication to the happiness of his guests is what drives his quest for genuine, wholesome flavors.

I want to imagine my kitchen at La Magnolia as a kind of Tuscan-Campana “fusion”. I really like this idea, starting out right from the fresh ingredients.
The memories and scents of Campania perfectly unite with the wonderful supply of typical Tuscan products, and in particular from Versilia.

Butter and anchovy risotto

Procedure FOR THE FUMET Open up the mussels and clams in a pan with garlic, oil and the parsley stems. Bring the head of garlic to a high temperate then add the well-washed clams and mussels. Let everything cook for a few seconds and then steam with white wine. Cover with a lid and leave […]

Procedure

FOR THE FUMET
Open up the mussels and clams in a pan with garlic, oil and the parsley stems. Bring the head of garlic to a high temperate then add the well-washed clams and mussels. Let everything cook for a few seconds and then steam with white wine. Cover with a lid and leave until the shells open. Filter the extracted water well. Separate the molluscs from the shells and then brown the latter once more in fresh olive oil, this time blending with some water. Keep it on a moderate heat for 15 minutes. Filter this base by adding the water obtained prior.

FOR THE GREEN (PARSLEY) SAUCE
In 80 ml of 100% Italian extra-virgin olive oil, brown two grams of peeled and chopped garlic and 40 grams of destemmed parsley. Add 240 ml of water and mix in a blender for 4 minutes at maximum speed, adjusting the taste with 5 g of salt. Sieve the mixture.

FOR THE BAGNA CÀUDA
Melt the preserved anchovies in abundant oil, adding 2 g of chopped garlic. Mix the lot in a blender, adding half a glass of liquid cream.

FOR THE ANCHOVIES
Break up and slice the anchovies. Prepare a square form with 2 layers of anchovies for each portion.

FOR THE RICE
Toast the rice in a little oil with a pinch of salt. Once warm, soften with dash of white wine and, once evaporated, wet with the fumet, allowing it to cook for around 13 minutes. Stir the parsley cream and butter into the risotto.

COMPOSITION OF THE PLATE
Plate as fast as possible so as to ensure the temperature does not drop too much, serving the risotto over the Bagna Càuda, adding a layer of dehydrated green sauce. Position the anchovy square in the middle and finish with a grated lemon zest.