i couldn’t help myself— when I saw there was another session with Gabrielle Bonci in Rome for pizza workshop- I had to go again! Larger than life– with a heart as big as a mountain and a passion for his dough like no other. He talks so fast and is so full of great ideas…
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…
A for Eggplant? Aubergine!
Recently on an expat forum, someone threw out that it would be fun to get ideas on something different to cook, asking friends for recipes. The Gastro-Casa Throw down in on—- Something starting with an A— I said almonds….. but aubergine came out. We are almost all American so I am not sure who really…
Simply Divina- Fish
I am spending the winter finishing my Food and Wine in Chianti APP for Sutro Media, getting it ready for those coming to Tuscany this year. I know, it sounds tough, eating and drinking as work.But really, can you immagine eating out Italian style more than once a day?IMPOSSIBLE So, it takes quite a long…
Buona Befana
In Italy, the holidays end with the Epiphany, represented by a “witch” called la Befana. My husband remembers when he was growing up in Florence the joy of waking up and finding your “calza”, the stocking with candy and gifts. Christmas in his family was not gift giving time, there was something. Perhaps a new…
My Alfredo Recipe
I have lived in Italy since October 1984. I am not from an Italian family and have no recipes passed down from anyone, what I have learned, I have learned here in Italy. What I did come with was a bunch of misinformation on what Italian food was. my alfredo One of the famous Italian…
2011— good riddance
thanks to lard artist Riccardo Ricci, Macelleria Cecchini for the image. I am so glad to see 2011 end. For 2012 my new years resolution is – SIMPLIFY Doing that I hope everything else falls into place. Rather like spring cleaning, I am going through all my bookshelves and throwing away years and years of…
The Gift of Time- Xmas 2011
It has been a tough year and I really didn’t feel much in the xmas spirit. My husband and I did put up our xmas lights, the wreath on the door and our silly kinder creche set as decorations. But perhaps not having kids, it is not such a big deal. We give ourselves gifts…