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The Covid Renaissance

I seemed to have fallen off the blog, but after my cancer surgery, I needed time to recuperate. The doctor’s told me 4 months. I was a good patient. I listened and didn’t push as I wanted to start Spring off healthy and ready to work. In April, I got my clean bill of health…

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Fork in the Road- Changes

Well, this has been a year of doctors, surgery, tests and got the big news the other day. The Big C. I will be having surgery to remove it in a little over a week.The first thing the Doctor said was to drop a few pounds. That never hurts! For several years now, I have…

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Certaldo’s Red Onion Soup- Carabaccia

Here in Tuscany, the temperature has dropped and it’s time for soup. Most people think that Italians eat pasta all the time for lunch and dinner, but Florentines  are big fans of soups. Minestrina, Brodo, Minestrone, Pappa al Pomodoro, Ribollita, and lots of soups with beans. The list is endless. Today  I am celebrating our…

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Mille Grazie

In Italian, you say Grazie or Mille Grazie as a thank you… or a thousand thanks! For this year’s Thanksgiving I think we all need to count our blessings. We aren’t doing Thanksgiving here, but I did do my Tuscan Thanksgiving menu for my zoom class last Sunday. Saffron Risotto served in a Roasted Pumpkin…

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Celebrating the Season- Boccaccesca Certaldo

There is nothing I love more than a food festival! Italy rocks for all the festivals they have. Some are simple parties celebrating a local speciality like Cinghiale, wild boar or they make celebrate food in general! This weekend in Certaldo, where I live, the hilltown had their Fall Food Festival called Boccaccesca. This year,…

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Water Salad from Puglia- Acqua Sale

It’s been so hot this month that cooking has been a real sacrifice. I try to wait until it cools down enough and to find recipes that are quick and easy or something I can stick in the oven or stove top and walk away.  Since losing all work when Covid broke out, I was…

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Summer Go- To Survival Meal- Caprese

Is there anything that says Summer and Italy more than an Insalata Caprese? Why Caprese? Perhaps since some of the best mozzarella and tomatoes come from around Naples and Capri has been a center for tourism for a long time.  Marketing!  Like Capri pants. My mother-in-law has always said spend more time shopping and less…

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Summer Peach Clafouti/Frangipane Mashup

Summer markets bring us the best of the season. Right now I just can’t get enough of fresh fruits. Starting with the cherries in June. Right now we have several kinds of peaches, plums and apricots. Most of the time, we end a meal with a simple piece of fresh fruit.  At home, it’s not…

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Judy Witts Francini

Originally from California; Tuscany has been my home since 1984. I found the city of Florence to hold all my passions, food, wine, art all in one place. When I am not in Tuscany, I am often found in Sicily, my other favorite place to be. Always searching for recipes to share and exploring for the guides I write to my favorite cities for food and wine.

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