Have you ever tried new oil? Just as it comes out of the press? Here in Tuscany, it takes your breath away and burns you throat with it’s pepperiness. New oil is always a reason to celebrate in Italy. In 1985, it snowed heavily and we lost thousands of olive trees. Olive oil is…
Rianata- Trapani style “pizza” – Calvino
When I was in Trapani last month, I took my friends to a favorite pizza spot I discovered a couple of trips ago, Calvino. Their pizza’s are different. Instead of sauce, they use tomatoes. My favorite is their classic Rianata pizza which is made with the cherry tomatoes, anchovy, pecorino cheese and oregano (rianata- oreganata)….
Tasting Sicily
I could have stayed here all day long. One of the only regrets I have is I don’t live near the beach, to smell the sea! I hope to fix that soon, to spend a month or so at a time at least, but my Culinary programs to Sicily at least get me here often….
Divina Cucina on the Road- Sicily 2012
Each time I go to Sicily it seems more and more like coming home. On my bucket list is to have a home in Sicily and retire there by the sea, so it is with extreme pleasure that I share my Sicily with my fellow lover’s of food and travel on our culinary expeditions. off…
Niente
It has been a tough week, when I came back from Rome– I was basically hobbling along. I had pulled a muscle or tendon and bedrest was required. It is so boring. So this week no cooking, no fotos. NOTHING. Thought I would just post a lovely painting from the hotel where we stay in…
Cioccolosa!
When the chill of winter first blows into town, any good Italian knows it is time for a Cioccolato Caldo. If you have never experienced a Italian hot chocolate, you are in for a surprise. It is not that thin water thing we drink in the USA with marshmallows, but rather like drinking pudding. I…
Tasting the Past- Cotognata ( Quince Paste)
There are some fruits and vegetables that remind me of the past. Odd shapes and incredible flavor and fragrances. Quince are one of those fruits. Impossible to eat as is. Often when at the market something catches my eye that I HAVE TO COOK. I don’t think I ever cooked or saw quince in California…
Never too much Sicily
I love Palermo. This Sunday, no attempted mugging! Lovely lunch at Zia Pina with my ladies, quite the antipasto table. Great fried fish again. Then a lovely day in Cefalu’. Nothing better than learning to slow down. We saw this great “500” with a demijohn, suitcase and extra tank for gas on the roof, was…