September is Wine month. There have been festivals all month long. I don’t go to them all, but have been to them all. The harvest is starting, first the white wine grapes for white wine. They also harvest the grapes to be hung and dried to make the dessert wine Vin Santo. Then the red…
Food Rules: Cafe Life
In a recent article, it was announced that Starbucks is opening in Milano in January,in the land of cappuccino,espresso and caffe’ macchiato. WHAT? Isnt’t that really bringing coals to Newcastle? I am on FB a lot, and it was brought to my attention that Italy inspired the creation of Starbucks. On a visit to Italy,…
Signs of the Season
In Italy, you must pay attention to the seasons. Often you only have once chance at making a seasonal recipe. This year I missed the Elderberry blossoms, to make a syrup for cocktails. But I did get my green walnuts to make Nocino, although this year I am celebrating my French side of the family…
Gifts from My Kitchen- Limoncello
Winter is time to get your Limoncello going for the year! Using the whole grain alcohol, it only takes 3 days, not 40 to make. So if you start today, it will be ready for the holidays. I like to peel my organic lemons with a potato peeler, over the jar I am going to…
Shake, Shake, Shake
Summer is the time when coffee lover’s go wild. Caffe’ Shakerato, the Italian way with iced coffee. Simply break out your cocktail shaker, fill with ice and pour a nice shot of expresso on top, maybe two. Sweeten with simple syrup. Shake until the ice melts. This creates the lovely foam you see here. Once…
San Giovanni- St. Jean
June 24 is St. John the Baptist’s day. Patron Saint of Florence. We make a sweet green walnut liquor, Nocino or Nocilllo, to celebrate. Walnuts picked now have not yet started to form their shells and you can cut through them to flavor the alcohol. In Gascony, they make a version which also has red wine,…
First Snow- First Tuscan Hot Chocolate
The first snow has covered the hills where I live and blocked me in my house. To me. that is a sign it is time to make myself a cup of Tuscan hot chocolate. Those of you that have had cioccolato caldo here know it is really more like a pudding and thick enough to…
Simple Summer Recipe- Affogato
Hot time- summer in the city— and all I can think about are ways to cool off! After lunch yesterday I could not resist getting one of my favorite desserts hot or cold- Gelato Affogato- a drowned ice cream. Nothing could be easier. Gelato Affogato Let your ice cream soften some before scooping, Italian gelato is not…