Today is when good girls and boys get a visit from the Befana.More like a kitchen witch then Santa, she came following the Re Magi, bringing gifts for the children. Today being the epiphany, she arrives… filling the hung stockings with candies and treats if you are good, and coal if you are bad! Of…
Beef is back!
Almost 4 years ago, the classic, 2 pound T-bone steak, known as the Fiorentina, was banned by the EU. It has been officially liberated and back in the market! Although I have not missed my meat, as it was always available, in a younger and smaller version. The original,from an older animal is back!Needless to…
Some Pig
As we welcome in the New Year, my mind turns to all the things I have planned for 2006.In March, my friend and fellow cooking teacher, Kate Hill of The French Kitchen in Agen and I will be presenting a panel on Pork with Fergus Henderson of St. John’s in London, the man whose book,…
New Year.. New Dreams
We didn’t have a White Christmas, but we are having a White New Year’s! Florence was dusted with a blanket of snow, enough to stop quite a bit of traffic and leave many people on foot. Truly a Silent Night! Looking out the window onto the Central Market was like a scene from a dream..and…
Sicily loses one of it’s sons
I was saddened to see this news after just returning from Sicily. I had seen Vincent at the IACP conferences I attended, and his love for his Sicilian heritage all become clear to me on this visit. I am sorry to not be able to see Sicily with him as I had hoped!
Moved by Mothia
As much as Palermo perturbed me, Mothia ( or Mothya) soothed me. Arriving on a calm day, off season, we were they only visitors to this sacred spot for salt lovers. The windmills were still, and the salt laid to rest for the winter under brick roof tiles. The salt making process begins in May…
Palermo: Pensieri and Pigs
Pensieri, are thoughts…one of the most famous proverbs concerning Palermo is: Cu’ va a Palermu e nun va a Murriali si nni parti sceccu e torna maiali Those who visit Palermo and not Monreale, arrive a donkey and return a pigI left a pig! I really didn’t mean to, I adore Mosaics and Monreale was…
Christmas Greetings from Italy!
Signs of the time!