Today is the last of the holiday season holidays in Italy. We have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Santo Stefano is the 26th which is also a holiday. These create long weekends, letting everyone sneak off for some skiing or just sightseeing locally. There is just enough time to get hungry again after the Christmas food…
A small gift for Pigging out in 2009- Porchetta
For those of us who don’t want to try to get whole hog or even a half a hog to make porchetta, here is a smaller home version I do using pork belly, known as pancetta in Italy. Not the pancetta which is already cured like bacon, but meaning just “the belly”, la pancia. I adore…
Why I make Bollito Misto- simple and satisfying
As I have written before, I always make the Bollito Misto for Andrea for Christmas, mostly for the wonderful soul warming broth which we serve several ways, first with tortellini and a dusting of parmesan cheese. This year I also bought some Passatelli, an extruded “paste” which cooks in the broth, served in Emilia Romagna….
Wishing us all the best for 2009
May 2009 be better than 2008 Wishing everyone health wealthandhappiness. Piazza Santo Spirito Firenze Judy and Andrea Divina Cucina Culinary Adventures John Lennon’s Xmas Song
Tengo Cuore Napolitano- My heart is from Naples
Buon Natale from Ischia, off the coast of Naples Each time I go to Naples, my love for the city grows. Perhaps it is the air. Located on the sea, it is a port town like San Francisco. I get teary when I take a deep breathe. Maybe Vesuvius, the live volcano, giving off energy…
Menu for Hope 5-
My village as a Christmas Creche scene… getting ready for the holiday spirit- of Giving!!! $10 for the gift of HOPE!Cheap thrills! It is that time of year again, as we fill our bellies with great holiday food and spirits, while there are those not so far away that are not celebrating. I think this…
Sicilian Saturday- Caponata
I tried the Caponata at every restaurant and trattoria in Palermo. For years I had been making it wrong. I added bell peppers to the mixture more like Peperonata here in Tuscany. This recipe is much simpler. It is such a popular side dish that it is even sold pre-made in cans. Wonderful as a…
Edible Florence- Trattoria Sergio Gozzi
There are few things certain in life; Florence is one of the best cities of art in the world and that Sergio’s is a favorite in the San Lorenzo Market. Often hard to find, both because of location and name, half of us say we are going to Sergio’s the other half say Gozzi’s!…