A small wooden cabin looks oddly placed in Siena’s Piazza del Campo, but for those in the knowm it is a tradition not to be missed In Italy, Saint Joseph’s day in March is celebrated as Father’s day ( get it, God’s father) To celebrate we eat fried rice fritters. Usually this coincides with carnival (…
Market inspired Menu’s
For menu inspiration, I used to rummage through my cookbooks and magazinescreating involved menu’s and then go shopping.Since moving to Italy I have learned a new way to plan menu’s.AT THE MARKET.It makes so much more sense.Immagine the scene;you have created a fabulous menu based on grilled salmon steaks, topped with a savory chili-mango salsa. The rest of…
Making Good Memories
Good Memories sounds much better in Italian, Buon Ricordi. My name is Judy and I have an addiction. There are not a lot of things I can’t live without. After being in Italy for almost 25 years, I can get along without most of the little things in life that I thought I needed. I…
The Perfect Day!
Today was perfect! A little chilly from the brisk tramontana windscoming down from the north,but,wind blows away the cloudsand Florence was shiny bright today! As I left my house in the countryside, I spotted these violetsalready standing up tall, in my front yard.Spring is really early this year.It scares me! I am excited about my…
Welcome to my life!
Living in Florence, the heart of Tuscany, is an experience every day.My favorite part of what I do is the people I meet. Shopping the market,creating friendships,discovering new foodsor ways to prepare themis what it is all about for me. Starting this year, I am offering several new programs that allow me to spend more…
Winter Whites
Something about winter, the soft light, the morning fog, the change of the color palate in the market that brings a different style of cooking into the home. White is a predominate color in Italy with the white marble from Carrara reflecting light.Rome’s Trevi Fountain is a fabulous example. Slow stews, twice cooking to infuse…
Out with the old…. in with the new
BUON2008 CIN CINTante Belle Cose Time flies when you are having fun. Hard to believe I started teaching cooking classes in Florencein 1988- 20 years ago. When I first began teaching, I worked with college kidson their junior year abroad program.Classes were a series of 4once a weekdinner class with wine and fun!Advice on how…
I wish you a …..
Table FullofFood andFriends to share it with I have always heard about the dinner of the seven fishesfor Christmas Eve dinnerBut never known anyone who makes it. My friends coming for lunch on Christmas dayalso requested fishbut only select fishMussels, clams, shrimp and calamari so this year’s menu for our Christmas lunch is Homemade Springrolls(…