There nothing more exciting than being involved in a food blog and tasting a product. I was just invited by my friend Rossella of Ma che ti sei mangiato?. Which translates to- “But what did you just eat?” and Andrea from Percorsi di Vino, wine blog. Here is the announcement in Italian- 20 bloggers will receive…
World Nutella Day – Simple Italian Classic
Today is World Nutella Day—- started by Sara and Michelle in 2007. It has gone wild! I am not a huge Nutella fan. It is too sweet. It is not on my normal shopping list of things to buy, except when they come in the cute glasses that are meant to be reused! Those I…
Snow days! Schools Closed!
They say that we are getting the coldest winter spell in 30 years. Time to make soups! my little backyard We are snowed in so will have to make do with what is in the house. Andrea was smart enough to pick all the lettuce from the garden before the snowfall, so that is safe….
Diva’s Dirty Little Secret- Gnocchi in 10 minutes
I am not a kitchen Nazi. I also use short-cuts when I can or teach people how to make life easier and simpler. One of my favorite tricks in the kitchen I learned living here is to use instant mashed potatoes for gnocchi. I had bought some incredibly tender potato gnocchi in the grocery store…
A for Eggplant? Aubergine!
Recently on an expat forum, someone threw out that it would be fun to get ideas on something different to cook, asking friends for recipes. The Gastro-Casa Throw down in on—- Something starting with an A— I said almonds….. but aubergine came out. We are almost all American so I am not sure who really…
Buona Befana
In Italy, the holidays end with the Epiphany, represented by a “witch” called la Befana. My husband remembers when he was growing up in Florence the joy of waking up and finding your “calza”, the stocking with candy and gifts. Christmas in his family was not gift giving time, there was something. Perhaps a new…
My Alfredo Recipe
I have lived in Italy since October 1984. I am not from an Italian family and have no recipes passed down from anyone, what I have learned, I have learned here in Italy. What I did come with was a bunch of misinformation on what Italian food was. my alfredo One of the famous Italian…
The Gift of Time- Xmas 2011
It has been a tough year and I really didn’t feel much in the xmas spirit. My husband and I did put up our xmas lights, the wreath on the door and our silly kinder creche set as decorations. But perhaps not having kids, it is not such a big deal. We give ourselves gifts…