I feel very blessed. When I first came to Italy, I met several people with a passion for Tuscany that changed my life. Burton Anderson, wine expert,who’s book on the winemakers and their wines, shows a true love for the people behind the bottle. His later book The Treasures of the Italian Table, did the…
Winter Shopping
While shopping for my Pumpkin soup for my Friday with Fergus I couldn’t resist the winter veggies calling my name! A woman doesn’t live by pork alone! We are getting ready for our Big Pork Blogging Weekend, have you sent us a recipe? I adore salads in the winter, and the fresh puntarelli, from the…
The Great Masters of Chocolate
They say if you want to play a better game of tennis, play against someone better than yourself. I believe the same goes for food. Eating out a a wonderful restaurant is inspiring, taking a class on a new cuisine gives me a new boost, watching how someone else teaches makes me a better teacher….
Food Toys and Festivals
I am a sucker for kitchen gadget and food festivals. As I was moving things around in my kitchen I came upon these lovely objects. I adore this Sicilian handmade mold for their desserts. Traditionally this is used for a Gelo mold, they make these jellies with almond milk, watermelon or even quince paste, which…
That time of year
Driving around the countryside now, a thin plant is high above the others with its tiny golden pollen calling me! I discovered Fennel Pollen while working at the Antica Macelleria with Dario Cecchini, one of my mentors here in Italy. Dario’s curiosity is contagious and when he discovers something, you also get addicted. I adore…
To Market to Market
My market, San Lorenzo,also known as the Mercato Centrale, Central Market Upstairs, there are several vegetable purveyors that have some fabulous mushrooms in season, Porcini being the local specialty. (This is no longer the upstairs, it was restored and revamped in 2014) There are one or two fish mongers that have their own boats, Mom’s…
The Season’s Best
Driving around the countryside in Tuscany now is one of my favorite moments. the wheat is being cut, leaving golden fields with patterns much like corduroy, bright yellow sunflowers already bending with the heat. Green vineyards, bunches or grapes already full and waiting to ripen. Figs, both green called dottati, which have been around since…
I’m It!
I was just Tagged for this MEME by David Lebovitz, but first had to figure out what a MEME was! Seems an extension of one’s profile,memories and thoughts..and passing them on…. I was just sent this by David… (pronounced meem) is an alteration of “mimeme” and is defined by Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary as “an idea,…