A small wooden cabin looks oddly placed in Siena’s Piazza del Campo, but for those in the knowm it is a tradition not to be missed In Italy, Saint Joseph’s day in March is celebrated as Father’s day ( get it, God’s father) To celebrate we eat fried rice fritters. Usually this coincides with carnival (…
Market inspired Menu’s
For menu inspiration, I used to rummage through my cookbooks and magazinescreating involved menu’s and then go shopping.Since moving to Italy I have learned a new way to plan menu’s.AT THE MARKET.It makes so much more sense.Immagine the scene;you have created a fabulous menu based on grilled salmon steaks, topped with a savory chili-mango salsa. The rest of…
Making Good Memories
Good Memories sounds much better in Italian, Buon Ricordi. My name is Judy and I have an addiction. There are not a lot of things I can’t live without. After being in Italy for almost 25 years, I can get along without most of the little things in life that I thought I needed. I…
The Perfect Day!
Today was perfect! A little chilly from the brisk tramontana windscoming down from the north,but,wind blows away the cloudsand Florence was shiny bright today! As I left my house in the countryside, I spotted these violetsalready standing up tall, in my front yard.Spring is really early this year.It scares me! I am excited about my…
Welcome to my life!
Living in Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is an experience every day.My favorite part of what I do is the people I meet. Shopping the market,creating friendships,discovering new foodsor ways to prepare themis what it is all about for me. Starting this year, I am offering several new programs that allow me to spend more…
Fat Tuesday!
Martedi Gras- Fat Tuesday or in Italy, Martedi Grasso. What is the perfect food to celebrate? Something fried of course! All over Italy, someone is frying up sweets. Often with the same shape, but a different name. Here in Florence, we have Cenci, which means rags, like the shape they have, which looks like torn cloth. In Liguria and…
Sicilian Splendors- Woman does not live by food alone.
mosaics from Villa Romana Sicily is full of incredible food,wine and art. It is a blend of cultures, each of the invading countries that passed through left their mark, filling Sicily with museums and churches,their art and architecure, Roman amphitheaters, ruins of Greek temples, Roman and Byzantine mosaics and Baroque palaces all in one small…
Sicily – Coast to Coast
Sicilian gold! Escaping from the grey skies of Florence, we took off to Sicily to do research.In October tour I am doing a west coast Sicily Food Lovers Tour and then acoast to coast to tour with my Slow Food chef and friend Jasper the week after! I have spent time on the west coast, and…