It’s been so hot this month that cooking has been a real sacrifice. I try to wait until it cools down enough and to find recipes that are quick and easy or something I can stick in the oven or stove top and walk away. Since losing all work when Covid broke out, I was…
We Have a Winner- I Love San Marzano DOP
Congratulations to Denise Gudger! She sent in her family recipe for Carmela’s Eggplant Pie. I made the recipe and it is a keeper! It is like an eggplant parmigiana with sauted peppers and onions between the layers. A real celebration of Summer. Eggplants, Peppers and San Marzano dell’Agro Sarnese – Nocerino DOP . I made…
Buglione- A Summer Stew
In my husband’s family, Buglione was always on the table in Summer. His father worked at the city’s main fruit and vegetable market in Novoli. There was was always seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables on the table. His mother was a great cook with simple seasonal produce. Summer hasn’t really decided if it is here…
Market Day Menu: Chickpeas and Beets
Creating a market day menu for me is like being on one of those cooking shows every time I shop. In my own village, Certaldo, we have our large weekly market on Wednesday. They bring it all in, not just food. This is like the mall coming to you, you can get almost anything you…
Tuscan Fall Pleasures- Chickpea Pancakes
Old recipes are new again, Cecina, a gluten free crepe,is popping up all over again. I am always thrilled with I get return students. This past season, I hosted a student from 10 years ago, that has now found a new path. For her program, using food to heal people, gluten-free cooking is a large…
Sicilian Saturday- Caponata
I tried the Caponata at every restaurant and trattoria in Palermo. For years I had been making it wrong. I added bell peppers to the mixture more like Peperonata here in Tuscany. This recipe is much simpler. It is such a popular side dish that it is even sold pre-made in cans. Wonderful as a…