October is my anniversary of arriving in Florence, in 1984. If you have ever been here in Fall, you will know how easy it is to fall in love with Tuscany with the Fall light. The countryside is turning gold, the vineyards and hills covered with chestnut and oak trees are vibrant. Weekends are filled…
CINGHIALE AGRO DOLCE- WILD BOAR
Living in the countryside in Tuscany means being woken up by gunfire during hunting season. The good side, is often I receive a nice big piece of wild boar meat, cinghiale, like this Christmas. I made a simple version of the boar, leaving out the final ingredients which give it it’s tang. The stewed pork…
Ferragosto- Vacation Time
All of Italy used to shut down for August. The first signs of vacation are casts appearing on arms and legs. Shops start to close.Things start to break or you get sick.Trying to get something done in summer is almost impossible, but little by little things change.Fewer and fewer people can afford to leave for a…
Gift of Time- Sugo Toscano
In today’s hectic world, it is overwhelming to me the time people spend working and getting to and from work. I understand how little time is left for cooking and why simple quick food is necessary. I also adore quick and easy, but sometimes we deserve more. Having the time to make a simple Tuscan…
Simply Divina- Polenta Gnocchi
Sometimes eating fabulous meals can take 10 minutes and give immense pleasure. I made a Tuscan Ragu, which we call sugo, the other night. I let it pippare, slowly simmer, while I watched TV, worked on the computer and talked with my hubby. One should always have ragu in the freezer for quick meals or…
The Secrets of Sugo -Tuscan Ragu
The True Test of Sugo, with Tuscan Bread In most Italian households, Sunday lunch is not just a meal, but a major eating event. No work on Sunday allows for the long leisurely lunches Italians are famous for.Slow-cooking potroasts, stews and meat sauces, called ragu, or here in Florence sugo,left simmering for hours on stovetops,…