Nothing can stop Spring from coming. We may be blocked in our homes, going out just to shop for essentials, but life goes on. Italy is just really opening up the vaccinations, there have been so many holdbacks. We are still in red zone until after Easter and then in orange zone until the end…
Spaghetti alla Nerano- Searching for Italy, One dish at a time
There couldn’t have been a better time to release CNN‘s new show with Stanley Tucci, Searching for Italy. Everyone is going through travel withdrawl and missing Italy so much. I hear it daily in messages from friends and clients waiting to come back. I think trip planning is almost as much fun as the trip…
Christmas Eve Salad from Naples- Insalata di Rinforzo
Happy Holidays! This Christmas Eve Salad is a new favorite in our house. Bringing a little Southern Italy into Tuscany. I can’t get enough cauliflower which is in season now, we have had it in so many ways. Baked, boiled, battered and roasted. The Markets are filled with such a variety. Have you seen the…
Feast of the Seven Fishes by Daniel Paterna |Book Review
I received a copy Feast of the Seven Fishes by Daniel Paterna to review for my site. As you know, I am not Italian American, but have been living now longer in Italy than I lived in the USA. In Italian years, I am 35. I always hear people complain when coming to Tuscany, that…
Naples—- home to pizza!
There has been a huge protest in Naples, a new guide book came out on pizzeria’s and Naples wasn’t mentioned as having the BEST pizza— but rather someone in northern Italy. We of course based this Slow Food Kansas City trip on the quality ingredients which make the pizza here so special. But ingredients alone…
Divina Cucina on the Road- Benevento
This year I was invited to attend a wine festival south of Naples. I adore the wines of this region, mostly whites and knew little about the reds so was excited to join the group. I adore travelling around any food and wine festival as you see the locals celebrating and each village has some…
Ode to the Eggplant- Melanzane al Cioccolato
The poor eggplant, melanzane in Italian; from mela–non sana, “not healthy apple”. The eggplant, like the potatoes, bell peppers and chili peppers are edible nightshade vegetables. When these foods were first introduced into the Italian diet, the first reaction was that they were not good for you and were often planted for their flowers in…
Saltimbocca- Griddle Bread from Naples
When I found fresh broccili rape,called friarelli in naples, at the weekly market in Certaldo on Saturday, I had to buy it. Fresh from the farm, so filled with flavor. Most people who don’t even like greens, love the twice-cooked technique used in Italy, even kids! Today I added raisins and toasted pinenuts. Then I…