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…
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….
Keeping Kitchen- Artichokes part 2
Once you have let the artichokes sit overnight in vinegar, remove them and let them sit for a day to drain, upside down, on a plate. When they are dry, place then in a jar and cover with olive oil. It’s important to leave the open to remove any air in the jars. Hit the…
Keeping Kitchen- Artichokes
When shopping at the market, as I mentioned, we first enjoy all the the seasons best fresh. As the season goes on, then prices start to drop and we think about buying in quantity and putting up the excess for another season. I saw the first tiny “baby” artichokes at the market yesterday. Usually I…
Diva’s Dirty Little Secret- Gnocchi in 10 minutes
I am not a kitchen Nazi. I also use short-cuts when I can or teach people how to make life easier and simpler. One of my favorite tricks in the kitchen I learned living here is to use instant mashed potatoes for gnocchi. I had bought some incredibly tender potato gnocchi in the grocery store…
Fall Favorites- Kale Bruschetta
Right now life is a little hectic. When I stop working, I have to catch up on work, if you know what I mean. End of the year paperwork, things I have let slip by. And when that happens, cooking time in the kitchen also gets cut down to quick recipes or really long slow…
Cucina Povera- Pamela Sheldon Johns
I was lucky to receive a review copy of Pamela’s new book, Cucina Povera, Tuscan Peasant Cooking. Pamela has a true passion for Italy and this book, her 16th I believe, is a tribute to the people that have taught us so much. The book is a pleasure to read. I kept it near my…