I adore this time of year, work slows down to nothing and I have time to cook for pleasure. In Italy, the holiday season really starts on December 8th when the trees and creche scenes are set up and everyone gets in the mood! The chilly weather is also an incentive to spend time in…
Lost Recipes – Sedano Rifatto
I am blessed to have married into a Florentine family. My husband’s mother was a fabulous, tough woman who outlived two husbands and raised two lovely men. Tina Barchielli, lost her first husband during WWll, he was taken prisoner and died. Her second husband, Arturo, was the father of her children, Cesare and my husband…
Big White Cows- Nose to Tail
I was asked to participate in the Vetrina Toscana sharing my recipe for a favorite dish using the Vitellone Bianco dell’Appenino Centrale. What is that? The huge white cattle raised for meat, In Tuscany it is the Chianina, in Emilia Romagna the Romagnola and in Le Marche the Marchigiana. The Big White Cows, standing higher…
Simply Divina- Sicilian Swordfish
Swordfish is a beginner’s fish. One of the least fishy and more meaty fishes. There are some recipes which just grab you the first time you eat them and remain in your memory. This is one of them. When we go to Cantina Siciliana for our cooking class, Pino is more than generous to share…
Simply Summer- Carpaccio
When the temperatures start to rise, quick and easy recipes are what we look at for easy meals. A favorite is Carpaccio. I remember it was one of the dishes that won me over to Italian food in the 80’s at Prego restaurant in San Francisco. The original dish was created by Arrigo Cipriani of…
Involtini- Simply Divina
Probably the thing I adore about Tuscan cooking is the simplicity. This is a recipe that my husband grew up with and his mother, Tina, was the Queen of simple. She always taught me, spend more time shopping and less time cooking. People are always amazed and the short list of ingredients and quick cooking…
Primavera?
It seems like Spring has arrived in Tuscany. The hills are green, in my garden the violets are already blooming and my roses never stopped blooming all winter. The foto is from the hillside near my home, a new farmer has started raising goats and soon will be producing goat cheese. I can’t wait. Last…
Pesce Finto- Fake Fish
Pesce Finto, fake fish is on my list of favorite recipes that I learned from my mother-in-law, Tina. It is one I love to teach kids of all ages. Fabulous for parties, inexpensive and flavorful. She served it in a bowl. Italy is surrounded by water, but in Florence we rarely eat fresh fish. They…