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…
Cioccolosa!
When the chill of winter first blows into town, any good Italian knows it is time for a Cioccolato Caldo. If you have never experienced a Italian hot chocolate, you are in for a surprise. It is not that thin water thing we drink in the USA with marshmallows, but rather like drinking pudding. I…
Tasting the Past- Cotognata ( Quince Paste)
There are some fruits and vegetables that remind me of the past. Odd shapes and incredible flavor and fragrances. Quince are one of those fruits. Impossible to eat as is. Often when at the market something catches my eye that I HAVE TO COOK. I don’t think I ever cooked or saw quince in California…
The Pleasures of Learning- ICAM
I think I am a perpetual student. I adore studying, hate tests, but love learning new things. For the past 7 years, I have been helping my friend Pam with her Ecole Chocolat Italian program for graduates from her online-chocolate school. We have been doing the Tuscan chocolate valley with visits and workshops with the…
PIgging Out Tuscan Style- Porchetta
For my 500th post I decided to dedicate it to pigging out. Pork is so popular in Tuscany and most of my clients adore visiting and tasting at the markets and butcher shops. I thought I would let the rest of you come on my virtual tour. I am very lucky to be able to…
Home is Where Your Mouth Is
As I prepare to go back to the states to deal with my mom’s estate, somehow flavors I miss while in Italy come to mind. Everyone asks what do I want to eat when I come “home”. ( Since I moved to Italy in 1984, almost half my life has been spent here- I think…
Happier Notes- Tomato Season is Here
pomodori fiorentini- from Sicily My two loves go hand-in-hand. Florence and Sicily. The first lovely ripe tomatoes we get are from Sicily, land of volcanic soil and sun. These funny pumpkin shaped tomatoes are called Fiorentini and are the BEST for making a simple fabulous tomato sauce, Pomarola. Pomorola Tomato Sauce The inside of…