Another weeklong program done. There is nothing I love more than sharing my Tuscany…. unless it is sharing Sicily! Tuscany has been my home since 1984 and I never get tired of it. Most people don’t get beyond the big cities in one visit. Most of my students are addicted and cannot get enough and…
Simply Divina- Salsa Verde
Often after I return back home to Italy from a teaching tour, I crave some of the simple flavors which are part of the pantry here in Tuscany. One of the sauces I adore is Salsa Verde. In Italy, it is a sauce served with boiled beef meals or on the lampredotto sandwiches served all…
Preserving Tuscany- Salt Cured Olives
As you know, I am always inspired at the market. When we bought our tiny 1/3 of a farmhouse in the hills outside of Certaldo, they wanted about $10,000 for 10 olive trees and an extra piece of land in the back of our house. I don’t know about you, but I can buy a…
Italian Kitchen Tools- Taglia Puntarelle
I am a sucker for kitchen toys! The puntarelle are a kind of chicory. The plant has leaves on the outside which are also edible but the treat are these chubby “fingers”. They get cut into tiny threads and then soaked in cold water to curl and crisp up. In Rome, it is possible to…
Goat cheese crostini
Sometimes inspiration comes while I am shopping. We now have a local artisan “grocery” spot. Sort of like a pop-up. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; different organic artisans share a space to sell their products. Yesterday i was overwhelmed with choices. The Poggio di Camporbiano had incredible produce and GOAT CHEESE. We bought kale, potatoes, carrots,…
Simple Pleasures- New Oil
We live in the middle of olive groves and vineyards, but we don’t make our own wine or olive oil. But we know where to get it FRESH. at the mill waiting to be crushed Near our home is a fabulous olive oil cooperative with over 1,000 members. They all live within 30 km of…
Rianata- Trapani style “pizza” – Calvino
When I was in Trapani last month, I took my friends to a favorite pizza spot I discovered a couple of trips ago, Calvino. Their pizza’s are different. Instead of sauce, they use tomatoes. My favorite is their classic Rianata pizza which is made with the cherry tomatoes, anchovy, pecorino cheese and oregano (rianata- oreganata)….
Fiori Fritti- Fried Zucchini Blossoms
I adore spring and this year it came sort of late but is one of the most beautiful in years. The hills are all shades of velvety green and red poppies and yellow scotch broom add touches of color. One of my clients asked me yesterday why we fry flowers and who thought of it….