O Sole Mio
I am frantically gathering the remnants of this summer's fresh produce.. the last of them-fresh peppers, fresh tomatoes, but besides the luscious fruits and veggies of summer that I'll be…
A Skinny Feast ..
A thank you to Mary Terzian at www.maryterzian.com for Sharing the Joy! and contributing the following delightful story. I was a newly-wed in New York, unfamiliar with American tradition. I…
A Labor Day with Roasted Peppers..Flavorful Memories
copyright 2010. Maria Liberati Longing for the flavors I met while in Italy this summer…my head bursting with the memories of freshly roasted peppers..that have still not left me.. I embarked upon…
Pots Make a Design Statement in the Kitchen
In my minimalist cooking, my pot racks really help in keeping clutter to a minimum. One of my favorite sayings is ‘so many pots, so little time’ and that is…
I Promessi Sposi..& A Chocolate Ricotta Cheesecake
One of my favorite pieces of Italian literature is I Promessi Sposi.. (The Betrothed) so romantic.. A story of Renzo and Lucia, set in Italy in 1628 the book…
Share the Joy! with some Fettucini Alfredo…
copyright 2010, art of living, PrimaMedia,Inc In honor of the official release of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition (ISBN 978-1928911-19-7) the award winning recipe…
The Hills Are Alive…
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati As I remembered the song from my favorite musical The Sound of Music..I thought to myself as we drove along the hills in Chianti…these hills are…
Castello D'Albola & Ribollita in Chianti
copyright 2010 art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati Castello D’Albola is a medieval wonder..in Chianti…a castle with a vineyard that produces award winning wines and the castle is filled with so much…
The Art of Simplicity & A Frittata
copyright 2010, art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati Simple ,delicious recipes that use mainly Mother Nature’s Ingredients are my favorite..frittata with mentuccia (mint)…it is a recipe from the days of cucina povere..but…
An Apricot Mousse & Chocolate Crumble…
Life here in this ' little town' never fails to keep me entertained .. from the town priest that is an Elvis impersonator ..to the dogs that insist on taking their walks in the…
A Cool August Night & A Hot Discussion
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati A cool August night in the piazza in Tagliacozzo and nothing soothes the soul more than eating a dish of creamy gelato in front of…
More Recipes from a Country House
Days are filled with much to do here..from tending our little farm..to planning out the day’s meals using the freshest ingredients or should I say creating recipes around the ‘pick…
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Thyme and Riso Greco
I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where ox-lips and the nodding violet grows; Quite over-canopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine. From William Shakespeare’s …
Ortona-Little City By the Sea
copyright 2010, Maria Liberati Ortona is a splendid little city by the sea..tranquil with breathtaking views of the Adriatic and its’ own boardwalk to discover..a one day visit is enough…
Spaghetti at Midnight
copyright 2010, Maria Liberati August 15th is the most loved Holiday in Italy..especially when the sun is bright and temps are hot..no better way to enjoy the last of summer…
Pizza By the Book….
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati/art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc To gain the skill of a true’gastronaut ( gastronomy + astronaut=gastronaut or someone who travels to experience the true art of gastronomy) to…
Eating Cool..Colorful.. Baked Fruit Kebabs with Gelato
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati/art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc Excitement is in the air here in anticipation of August the 15th…the beach resembles a large restaurant in the open with long tables set…
Less Clutter in the Kitchen…Cucina Povere Style
Why can’t basil and parsley simply be torn into pieces..why all the clutter of the knife and cutting with some type of skill?..besides a torn piece of basil or parsley…
The Night of the Shooting Stars & A Fresh Veggie Tartare
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati Tonight, August 10th is known as the night of San Lorenzo and the night of the ‘stelle cadente’ or falling stars. Saint Lorenzo was a martyr…
Eggplant Parmigiano on the Beach & August 15th
The excitement of summer is almost gone for most of us..with about a month to go..but here in Italy the excitement of summer has been re-ignited with the anticipation of…
Parsley..a Girl's Best Friend..
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati "An honest laborious Country-man, with good Bread, Salt and a little Parsley, will make a contented Meal with a roasted Onion." John Evelyn (1620-1706) Parsley is…
A Mid Mountain Trip & Local Flavors of Rapino
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati/art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc Continuing my ‘Gastraonaut’ travels in Italy..in Pescara to experience some of the artisan foods, but also to view the new pedestrian bridge that…
Suitcase of Flavors for a Trip to the Beach House
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati My flavors have all been packed..well at least the dried ones..my fresh ones will have to wait till early tomorrow morning. I am packing for…
Roasted Parsley Potatoes & Gossip in the Piazza
It pays to listen to gossip and conversation in the town piazza at night..some more than others..from overheard conversations last night was a variety of talk about family riffs…
Enjoying Summer’s Last Month and Gelato
copyright 2010, Maria Liberati And so goes the summer..almost..one month left to summer..don’t let it pass you by without taking advantage of something ‘summery’..eat an ice cream or a gelato…
To Market ,To Market…
Saturday has always been one of my favorite days..it is market day..and I always am too excited to sleep the night before anticipating an early cappuccino and cornetto (Italian…
Penne with Eggplant & the Piazza
copyright 2010 Maria Liberati Evenings here always include a walk in the piazza to chat with old friends, make new ones, catch up on town gossip, and share recipes.…
Gruyere Cheese & Potato Tarts & the Beauty of …
In our American culture we tend to consider things that are not pristine and spanking brand new less than worthy..but if you are planning a trip to Italy you will…
Cool Off With a Gelato Sandwich
Some of the new exciting happenings here in Italy while I have been gone..the invention or creation of a gelato sandwich (because of the hot hot summer temperatures). it consists…
Tramezzini & My Days as a 'Gastronaut'
I always think of myself as a 'gastronaut'- ( gastronomy + astronaut=gastronaut) someone that travels and explores through food..and I think there are many of you out there! Sundays in…
