A common “snack” at the coffee shop bars in and around Italy are “toasts”, not “panini”. Panino means sandwich and they are not put in a “panini press” unless you ask. Most panini are made with lettuce and mayonnaise and they would not think about heating them. But there is a hot ham and cheese…
Tuscan Comfort Food- Risotto al Pomodoro
Winter weather is finally kicking in slowly. The temperature is dropping but the sun is still shining. We are expecting snow this week, so from spring to winter now. In my garden the violets were just starting to bloom and the roses had also been blooming like crazy. I noticed that the irises were also…
Ingredients- Radicchio Variegato Bean Soup
When I meet someone from a different region in Italy, I always love for them to share a recipe with me. Some of the simplest recipes and my favorites are home cooking. Sitting at the Dario+ restaurant for a burger at lunch, as I often do, we were seated next to a family from Verona….
Favorite Fridays – Radicchio di Treviso
Often when traveling around in Italy, you find foods you don’t see at home. Not speaking the language it is hard to ask questions. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite ingredients and how I use them. This is Radicchio di Treviso. Long thin leaves are pretty as well as…
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…
Gianni’s Deviled Eggs- Casa del Vino
As is tradition in Italy, one never drinks without eating something. Casa del Vino is my favorite stop near my house for a glass of wine and a nibble. Not only my favorite place as you’ll see if you come around lunch time when it is packed with locals. As you enter, you will see…
Market Recipes: Benita’s Sicilian Eggplant
I adore eggplant and am always looking for new recipes. One of my first friends in the San Lorenzo market in Florence was Benita, the mamma at Porks. Originally it was a tiny corner kitchen, with sandwiches. I started to notice young men bringing her fish or a slice of meat and she would disappear…
Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!
It is hard to believe we have been married 23 years, but harder to realize we have been together for 29 years! I met Andrea the year after I arrived in Italy. Next year, I turn 60 and celebrate 30 years in Italy- half my life. It has been a wild ride, I have consulted…