I always dreamed of living in Europe after my first visit in 1973.My grandfather was born in Paris, my grandmother in Russia,My mom raised in Shanghai.I was not happy in the suburbs. I dreamed of all my friends marrying airline pilotsand each of us living in a different European Capitalso we would always fly free…
Zab- BAYLON
May 17th- San Pasquale Baylon Every picture tells a story and every story……. has a start. Yesterday I recieved a gift from a winemaker Mario Zanobini, a clay plaque of Saint Pasquale Baylon, saying that he was the patron saint of cooks. Others say that San Lorenzo is the patron saint of cooks. But, there…
Playing with Fire! Light ’em up!
What happens when two transplanted American cooks meet at a wood-fired oven in Tuscany? Sparks fly and the heat is on! A week of wood-fired ovens, artisan pork, and the best butchers in Tuscany inspired by two cooks who love meat and the artisans who produce it. Kate Hill (The French Kitchen) and Judy Witts…
Food Glorious Food
Spring is one of the most exciting seasons to cook, as we all look forward to coming out of the dark winter to bright spring.. more light and gifts from the garden! A mild winter is bringing early gifts from the fields, we even have our first evening fireflies. Green and purple are my colors…
Addio Minuccio
Chianti lost one of it’s great men this week, Giovanni “Minuccio” Cappelli. I considered him to be the James Beard of Tuscany: a winemaker, restauranteur, bonvivant, and the ultimate Oste. Sig. Cappelli ran the Fattoria Montagliari until a few years ago, when he sold it to supposedly retire. His family had had this property for…
SWEET FOUR LETTER WORDS- GROM
Grom’s May Gelato menu in Florence It is in the news… GROM is coming to NY! Originally from Torino, GROM has shops all over Italy.Our FLorence shop opened about 4 years ago, and it is hard to stay away! Wonderfully rich, but not too sweet ice creams and sorbets only made from the BEST! Organic…
Keep on Fava’ing
So with Fava beans being so good for you.. I went in search of more recipes. Josh and The Food Section is always a great resource and Grilled Fava Beans are a a great idea, perfect timing for the season. The recipe is from another Judy….. at Zuni Cafe in San Francisco. a Temple to…
Market lunch
Fresh Fava Beans The one problem with cooking with the seasons, is that there are only certain foods at certain times of the year, and at some point you may get tired of them. But Italians are very creative, and so I was inspired again today to continue cooking with Fava Beans.The hills are planted…