Fagioli all’uccelletto are Tuscan comfort food for me. Since I got home from my teaching tour in the states, the weather has been windy, rainy and perfect for staying in the house and being sick! I seemed to have picked up Bronchitis on the flight home and it knocked me out. I am just getting…
Comfort Me with Leftovers- Lesso Rifatto
On my flight home, I knew something was going to go wrong when I heard a woman hacking right behind me on the plane. It is so easy to get sick while travelling. The only thing that was ok, was that I did not get sick while in the states. I got Bronchitis! As soon…
A Stew for All Seasons- Peposo
I don’t eat a lot of meat, but when I do, I want the best. I an very lucky to be able to have a choice of several great butchers in various towns near me. Often, I make a day-trip out of shopping and head over the hills and through the woods to Panzano in…
Giving Thanks
I don’t think we really need a special day to give thanks. It should be daily. Perhaps a sort of Polly-anna way of thinking, but I have always tried to focus on the good things around me . If I dwelled on the daily difficulties and nightmares in life, I would be constantly depressed. I…
Tuscan Herb Recipe- Pancetta “Porchetta-style”
Tuscan herb blend, perfect for porchetta. You can make this and freeze it in a ziplock bag or let it sit out on the counter and dry. I often will make fresh and then infuse an extra virgin olive oil for an hour or so and pour on grilled or roasted meats or fish. Recently…
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…
Wednesday Market in Certaldo
There is nothing I love more than a market day! I live in Certaldo where we have the large market on Wednesday and a small market just a few food trucks, on Saturday. Where I teach, in Colle Val D’Elsa, the huge market day is on Friday. That pretty much covers it for me. With…
Tomatoes “Tonnati”
The horrible heat wave and drought we have been having has finally been broken but a couple of days of rain. Not really enough, but enough to drop the temps down to something more livable. As we feel summer slipping away, I am enjoying the last tomatoes. These huge tomatoes are more like a steak,…