Buon Anno Nuovo- Happy New Year Looking forward to a fabulous 2010 This year has been one of change and 2010 is one of new beginnings.Looking forward to seeing you in Tuscany or in Sicily this yearfor my new weeklong programs. fotos above- left to right: top to bottom Me in Pompeii on PR trip…
Pigging Out for the Holidays –
This so reminds me of the first Christmas Eve dinner I attended when Andrea and I started dating. It was at a friends home and they had done most of the cooking, but everyone brought a dessert. I had only been living in Italy for a year and never been to a traditional Easter or…
Menu for Hope 6- the gifts that keep on giving
Every year Chez Pim with the help of bloggers all over the world, runs the Menu for Hope.It is a win-win situation, by participating in the auction of items donated, we raise money for a United Nations Project. This year, we are supporting a new initiative at the WFP called Purchase for Progress (P4P). P4P…
Sweet Dreams- Xmas cookies
From my house to yours- happy holidays It is that time of year when everyone starts baking cookies and getting ready for the holidays- here are some past recipes to bring a little Italy to our holiday table!Enjoy- Buon Appetito e Buon Natale Virtual Cookie Swap – Sienese Almond Cookies, RicciarelliHot Chocolate– Italian style! Thick…
Good Grappa is a Wonderful Thing
It is not only Americans that think that drinking grappa is like drinking lighter fluid; even my Italian husband is not a great fan of grappa, until he tried the grappa I was sent as part of a tasting panel. I was asked try to participate by my friend at Studio Cru. How did he…
Divina Cucina Tours- Almost like being here!
Here is a small taste of what we do on our tours in Tuscany and Sicily- to me it is as important for you to be part of the everyday life here and to visit Italy like a local. I hope you can come and join me in Tuscany or Sicily or where ever you…
A Passion for Heat- Fruit Mostarda
Whole clementines at the end of the three day process I adore all sorts of spicy sauces and the heat that chili gives to food.When I tasted the Mostarda di Cremona, it was love at first bite. Sweet, syrupy candied fruit with a wasabi like kick to it- hot and sweet together. Not only great…
Strange but Wonderful
I adore when the seasons change in Italy, it is present in the colors on the trees, the dropping of the temperature, but most of all in the markets. This weeks market treat was this strange but lovely Chicory plant, Cicoria, which is a speciality in Rome. I have seen it already cut and cleaned…