This year nature is taking revenge around the world. We had horrible storms and flooding again in Florence a few weeks back and this week a cyclone hit Sardegna. What makes it all worse is the over building of homes in the wrong places, as soon as a storm comes, the land no longer holds…
Gift of Love- Tortellini
Making pasta is an Italian mother’s way of saying “Ti Amo”, I love you. Simple ingredients, flour and eggs, turn into a gift of love, especially at Christmas. Yesterday in cooking class, my students requested to make Tortellini, one of the most traditional pastas from Emilia Romagna. Tuscans buy tortellini, not make them. We make…
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,…
Taste of Tuscany- Fresh Beans
Shelling fresh Lamon beans from Cuneo One of the best things about the markets in Italy is the service. I love going to get my beans and my lovely vendor is sitting there shelling the beans for me!It makes life so much easier. I also adore cooking fresh beans as they only take about 30 minutes…
My Chianti- Chilly days, warm soup
When September comes to Chianti, I go to Chianti too! The wine harvest fills the air with drunken perfume, too strong to ignore. Grape must fermenting , sends me spinning every breath. Indian summer skies with a light that explains why so may great artists came and stayed. A new color palate is required. As…
Soothing Soup Minestrone
There is nothing like a soup to soothe all. Winter this year has not brought on the chill’s which are relieved by soup until now. So as soon as the first chill came in, soup’s on! After being in a sort of Summer in Florida, the Tuscan winter called me back to the roots of soup,…
Winter’s Slow Soup
Winter has hit Florence full force, reminding us all that it was in November of 1966 that the Arno River flooded the city, bringing it to it’s knee’s and the wonderful support from the Mud Angels, young students.. and not.. from all over the world who ran to the rescue. My husband who was 11…