When you love food and those who produce it- you life is filled with many lovely special moments. caper blossom with capers at bottom left- they are where the blossoms come from Such as stopping to smell the flowers or in this case, point out a beautiful caper blossom and explain what it is. The…
Summer is HERE-
Sunflowers are a sure sign that summer has arrived in Tuscany. Fields and fields of bright yellow heads brighten up my drive to work daily. But summer also means eating light, cook dishes which require little time in the kitchen. Today is Bresaola, a cured beef dish from nothern Italy, which we serve like a…
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…
Addio to La Contessa
My mom, La Contessa, as she was known in Italy, passed away Friday night.She will be missed.Services will be held Sat June 18th at 11am St John Vianney ChurchWalnut Creek, California Drink a limoncello in her honor! Celebrate life– and live it to the fullest everyday. I adore making limoncello and all the variations. My mom…
Our Angelo in Cucina
Angelo Pumilia. Executive chef at the Foresteria Planeta in Menfi has been our guardian angel in the kitchen. Here are the dishes prepared today, a meal fit for a King. Our arancine production Filled with four cheese and peas. Our Timballo, with eggplant filling Rolled stuffed sardines, beccofico Served on a tomato,onion,string bean salad with…
Sicilian Specialties
Sicilian ice cream sandwich Crisp Rose at sunset We Made fresh eggless pasta Our marinated sardines – with onions and vinegar, sweet and sour Angelo’s new twist on salad, melon fennel, green apple Women do not live by food alone, ceramic shopping at the masters.i Ò
Never too much Sicily
I love Palermo. This Sunday, no attempted mugging! Lovely lunch at Zia Pina with my ladies, quite the antipasto table. Great fried fish again. Then a lovely day in Cefalu’. Nothing better than learning to slow down. We saw this great “500” with a demijohn, suitcase and extra tank for gas on the roof, was…
Gifts from the Farm
Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference. At the Saturday market, my vegetable vendor gifted me with these lovely eggs from her mom that lives in Old Certaldo and some tiny new zucchini with their blossoms. Inspiration for lunch- Zucchini Carbonara! Mille Grazie Francesca e Erica! My mother in law always…