Probably one of the BEST recipes I have learned and taught in Tuscany are my Tuscan Herbs. Every butcher has his own blend, which is used on the fabulous prepared meats, ready to cook, which are sold in the markets here. The base is a simple trinity of rosemary, sage and garlic, finely chopped with…
Cooking Cardoons- Marisa’s Polpette
From emails I get from my blog readers and on FB, I see cardoons are getting easier to find in America. Cardoons are cousins with artichokes, looking more like celery, but tasting like artichoke hearts. What’s not to love? When I was at Paola’s,my ortolana (vegetable vendor), in town; she had huge fabulous long cardoons…
First Snow- First Tuscan Hot Chocolate
The first snow has covered the hills where I live and blocked me in my house. To me. that is a sign it is time to make myself a cup of Tuscan hot chocolate. Those of you that have had cioccolato caldo here know it is really more like a pudding and thick enough to…
Sunday Lasagna
Sunday lunch in Italy often involves recipes requiring long slow cooking and are long slowly consumed meals as well. Life seems to shut down on Sunday and Italians relax and enjoy. Until recently, there was nothing you could do on Sunday except eat! Shops were closed and everyone had the day off except restaurants. Excursions…
WanderFood Wednesday- Creamless Carbonara
This is one of my favorite Italian comfort foods and probably the most misinterpreted. There is no cream in Carbonara sauce. The creaminess is a magical effect, created by stirring the grated cheese into the egg yolks ( I like just yolks instead of whole eggs) and a good dose of black pepper and then…
Sicilian Street Food Snack- Panelle
This trip I didn’t get to spend any time in Palermo, where I love to enjoy the street food stands. At the Foresteria Planeta, where we did our classes, Chef Angelo Pumilia made us his version of panelle as an appetizer the first night with our aperitivo. Panelle are made from chickpea flour…
The Most Splendid of Seasons- Fall
We were blessed with incredible weather this week in Chianti for our session, even the full moon did it’s part as we enjoyed it in San Gimignano sitting in the main square having pizza and gelato. Most of the grape harvest is done now and the olive harvest is beginning. I live next door to…
Tito’s Oven-Roasted Tuscan Beans
It is that time of year- fresh beans are appearing in my markets and what I really love is when I find them already shelled. Florentines are called Mangia-fagioli, bean-eaters. Not sure if it is supposed to be offensive, but I adore beans and eaten with rice or grains become a perfect protein and one…