It began with Saint Francis, who reenacted the birth of Christ with live animals in 1223. Actors were added and later, “presepi” (means ‘crib’) were set up throughout Italy, but with pomp and circumstance. In the 1470’s sculptor Alamanno was commissioned to create 42 painted and gilded sculptures […]
MULTI GRAIN FIG/WALNUT/ROSEMARY FOCACCIA Italy Magazine’s article about the multi grain pizza led me to their recipe for fig and honey focaccia. I’m a focaccia foodie and have made it every which way in past years to sell locally as a caterer. Now I hear it was invented […]
a quick peek at ………..a meal in ancient Rome…………… Did early Romans and those party-loving Etruscans ever wonder if they would run out of pasta, fish or wine? ( We are still in B.C. mode here.) Plutarch was a Greek-born writer, later a citizen of Rome who spoke […]
From: Italy Magazine Everything Italy. Authentically Italian. https://www.italymagazine.com/recipe/homemade-ancient-grain-pizza go and get this great recipe from a great magazine! I was in a quandary since we are headed for Naples, the birthplace of the “magic Italian Pie”. Where is the best one going to be located for us to […]
(in humble tribute to the 6 million sheep of Sardinia and the rest of Italy, rarely attributed their due) Pecorino Romano, referenced in many Italian recipes, but equally hard to find around my town, is that miracle of ewe’s milk that in Roman times reputedly surpassed cow’s milk […]
….uh-oh, a brand new blog may be necessary! With the trip to Southern Italy dawning closer as a “first adventure”, I thought to consult Fred Plotkin’s “Italy for the Gourmet Traveler”, a voluminous knowledge base. Mine resides more to the north. Thankfully, my traveling companion likes to eat […]
Anyone who knows my passion to cook, especially Italian dishes, knows also of my heritage from Tuscany. You can’t get more Italian than having had a mother from Elba and a father from Lucca who became a noted restaurant chef during California’s heyday in San Francisco and Los […]
Blank so Long……. Over the past several months, I have yet to post in my blog any relevant words. The reason for this is that I have been embroiled in preparation for what might become my last trip to my fatherland. First I had to celebrate a birthday […]
SPRINGTIME BRINGS SWEET TOOTH SAVY Like so many things in Italy, bread and cakes come by many names, especially if it is a holiday and then, it depends on what kind of holiday or occasion it might be. Of course the names and kinds of bread and cakes […]
Did de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), aka All Saints Day, All Souls Day is celebrated throughout the world, especially in Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and is associated with American Halloween. Here are some highlights: Oct. 31-Nov. 2; traditional Aztec dancers, parades with costumed figures, regional […]
Meet the passionate people of central Italy's farm-to-table wonderland.
Travels About Town 