Pino, my new best friend! I left Florence… while they were closing the Central Market for cleaning…and am now in America. Always somewhat of a culture shock for me,but also insights. I taught at Ramekins in Sonoma, four fabulous classes, all sold out, meeting old friends and students as well as some new Italophiles. Up…
a Day with Dario
I feel very blessed. When I first came to Italy, I met several people with a passion for Tuscany that changed my life. Burton Anderson, wine expert,who’s book on the winemakers and their wines, shows a true love for the people behind the bottle. His later book The Treasures of the Italian Table, did the…
Winter Shopping
While shopping for my Pumpkin soup for my Friday with Fergus I couldn’t resist the winter veggies calling my name! A woman doesn’t live by pork alone! We are getting ready for our Big Pork Blogging Weekend, have you sent us a recipe? I adore salads in the winter, and the fresh puntarelli, from the…
Virtual Cookie Swap
I love Cookies! So when I saw this Sugar High Friday on Domestic Goddess I saw a woman after my own heart! She and Alberto of Il forno are having a virtual cookie swap! Perfect timing for the holidays. When they post all the cookies they are having a contest, Vote for your favorite three…
CICCIA- Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Bistecca alla Fiorentina I received an email from a student, asking why the recipe for cooking Florentine steak wasn’t in my cookbook. It is so easy, I didn’t even think about it, as really it is more of a non-recipe. I then began to think, it is usually the easiest recipes that are the hardest…
The Great Masters of Chocolate
They say if you want to play a better game of tennis, play against someone better than yourself. I believe the same goes for food. Eating out a a wonderful restaurant is inspiring, taking a class on a new cuisine gives me a new boost, watching how someone else teaches makes me a better teacher….
Eggplant Fetish
I must admit.. I have a thing for eggplants! I love the color, the look,the feel and the flavor of eggplants! Called Melanzana in Italian from the latin Mela insana, a “not healthy” vegetable and was considered to be poisonous, but so were tomatoes and potatoes! I love them grilled,roasted,fried… and even with chocolate! Yes there…
Granita di Caffe
Summer in Italy wouldn’t be summer without Granita! Besides fruit flavors,such as watermelon, as I mentioned before, or lemon, made with lemons from Sicily or the Amalfi coast, coffee granita is one of my favorites. I am very lucky as I can get it here in Florence at my Sicilian gelateria Carabe owned by Antonio…