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Our Angelo in Cucina

Angelo Pumilia. Executive chef at the Foresteria Planeta in Menfi has been our guardian angel in the kitchen. Here are the dishes prepared today, a meal fit for a King. Our arancine production Filled with four cheese and peas. Our Timballo, with eggplant filling Rolled stuffed sardines, beccofico Served on a tomato,onion,string bean salad with…

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Sicilian Specialties

Sicilian ice cream sandwich Crisp Rose at sunset We Made fresh eggless pasta Our marinated sardines – with onions and vinegar, sweet and sour Angelo’s new twist on salad, melon fennel, green apple Women do not live by food alone, ceramic shopping at the masters.i Ò

Gifts from the Farm

Sometimes it is the little things that make a big difference. At the Saturday market, my vegetable vendor gifted me with these lovely eggs from her mom that lives in Old Certaldo and some tiny new zucchini with their blossoms. Inspiration for lunch- Zucchini Carbonara!  Mille Grazie Francesca e Erica! My mother in law always…

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Maremma

We are back down in Maremma,enjoying a little beach time, before work starts again. To get down to the beach at the Nature Reserve, there are 5km of road, passing by horses and these majestic cattle. The beach is rather “wild”, everyone finds these pieces of wood and creates sculptures,teepee’s and small walled structures. The…

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SiciliAMO– I love Sicily!

Good news, Bad news… I adore Sicily as much as ever and am closer and closer to my dream to live by the sea!Maybe in Trapani. First day in Palermo a guy drove by on a Vespa and tried to steal my purse….. Judy 1 – Palermo 0 I think I scared the guy as I…

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Pasquetta – thinking small

In Italy there is a saying- Natale con i tuoi, Pasqua con chi vuoi. Christmas with your family and Easter with whoever you like. I guess that means you can spread out the food orgies? As much as I adore Italian food and lifestyle, the one thing I cannot get into are the never-ending meals….

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Spring Training in the Tuscan Kitchen- Green is IN

The markets have exploded with Spring! After what always seems like a long grew winter, color is filling our kitchens. Artichokes, fava beans, asparagus and now fresh peas. When cooking with the seasons, there are certain recipes which appear only in season and we celebrate by gorging on them. In my garden all the fresh…

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Italian Father’s Day- Pasta con la Mollica

Almost everyday in Italy there is something to celebrate and celebrations mean food. Being a Catholic country, there is a Saint for everyday. March 19th is St. Joseph’s day, Joseph being the father of Jesus, it is Father’s Day in Italy. What better way to celebrate than with food? Here in Tuscany we eat fried…

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Judy Witts Francini

Originally from California; Tuscany has been my home since 1984. I found the city of Florence to hold all my passions, food, wine, art all in one place. When I am not in Tuscany, I am often found in Sicily, my other favorite place to be. Always searching for recipes to share and exploring for the guides I write to my favorite cities for food and wine.

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