When I first came to Florence in 1984, I never thought it would be home. But 25 years later here I am. I first began teaching cooking to Syracuse University students here are on a study abroad program in 1988. The first book was a collection of the 4 dinners we prepared during the 4…
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…
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!…
Celebrating Spring- Exploding
spiders hatching! I arrived home from New Orleans to find an explosion of color in the hills around my home. Not just green, but red too! Italian red poppies What are the poppies already doing out? While I was gone, it rained daily and the sunshine in between, really pumping up the gardens and the…
TASTE- Florence 2008
Every year in Florence, we have an incredible food show called TASTE, wonderful food show of the best products, and events all over town. If you are here, it is worth going to. Davide Paolini, Gastronaut, is the mind behind TASTE. Products are selected to be presented and it is a very excellent selection of…
Market day- Colle Val D’Elsa- Friday
Colle Val D’Elsa, with old Colle on top of the Hill. Going to Colle Val d’Elsa on Friday, market day, is one of my husband favorite things to do. It is really one of the largets and most social of the weekly markets. I found my mozzarella girl from Certaldo, now working at the Sicilian…
Winter or Spring?
Usually winter means less sunlight, dark cold days, warm soups, stews and risotto. This year has only had a couple of really cold spells which have passed quicky. Not enough to get into winter foods. Except two of my favorite winter foods, salads and blood oranges. Here we are in the heart of what is…
Food Markets- Feast for your Eyes
Palermo I have always been drawn to food markets, even before my professional foodie days.Florence Nice to know I am in good company! Mimi sheratons article is a fabulous list of where to see great markets. For me they are always the place to catch a glimpse of the daily life and to get tastes of…