Blog - The Basic Art of Italian Cooking

From Venice to Vienna | Celebrating The New Year with Food and Music

By maria January 1, 2014Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Holidays, Special OccasionsNo Comments

Cassola Cioccolata (Chocolate Cassola) | Seneca's Ancient Roman Philosophy

By maria December 30, 2013Italian Culture, Italy, La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), RecipesNo Comments

Santo Stefano, Christmas Leftovers, and Nativity Scenes

By maria December 26, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Christmas, HolidaysNo Comments

And the week continues on as one long Festa..today is Santo Stefano ( Saint Stephen).. this day has been a national Holiday here in Italy since 1946. But this…

Dining the Distance from Rome to Abruzzo | Italian Christmas Market

By maria December 22, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Holidays, Italian Culture, Italy, TravelNo Comments

Tips for Your Holiday Table | How To Make Holiday Table Settings

By maria December 15, 2013Entertaining, Holidays, How To's, Life HacksNo Comments

Holidays are meant for sumptuous feasts and food is the star of your events! But table settings and décor are almost as important…here are some products for your Holiday Table..(they…

2 Great Holiday Gifts Under $15 | Holiday Gift Guide 2013

By maria December 11, 2013Holiday Gift Guide, HolidaysNo Comments

For the last 3 months .. The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm has been reviewing and savoring many products in many categories…and we would like to…

Festive Apples, Cranberries and Brachetto | Holiday Variations in Red

By maria December 10, 2013Holidays, Recipes, Special OccasionsNo Comments

Holiday countdown and I am in 'cranberry mode'...I love this little berry so healthy.. and versatile...dessert or side dish with Holiday turkey..so here's one of my favorite easy Holiday…

Happy Birthday Maria Callas!

By maria December 2, 2013Special OccasionsNo Comments

"Cooking is like creating. We must do everything the best way possible, plus more... That is the strongest reason for anything." Maria Callas A tribute post for a great…

Giotto and the Art of a Pumpkin Cake | Torta Alla Zucca

By maria November 30, 2013Art, Italian Culture, Italy, La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), RecipesNo Comments

copyright 2-13 Maria Liberati/Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc Take pleasure in your dreams, relish your principles and drape your purest feelings on the heart of a precious lover” Giotto A beautiful…

How To Give Your Holiday Table Decor an Italian Twist

By maria November 23, 2013Entertaining, Holidays, How To's, Interior Design, Italian CultureNo Comments

Cream of Pumpkin Soup | In Search of Matisse' Green Pumpkin

By maria November 12, 2013Fall Recipes, Recipes, SoupsNo Comments

It’s autumn! Just in case you haven’t noticed the chill in the air..and a bowl of warm soup make a wonderful dinner companion on a brisk Fall evening. Inspired by…

Mostarda From Cremona | Upcoming Event in PA

By maria November 3, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Events & Appearances, History of FoodsNo Comments

copyright Art of Living,PrimaMedia,Inc 2013/Maria Liberati I have been likening my Professional chef board to that of a Stradivarius violin… Antonio Stradivari was so passionate about his violins that he…

3 Haunted Destinations in Italy | Celebrating Halloween with Dark Chocolate Pumpkin Cake

By maria October 27, 2013Holidays, Italian Culture, La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), Recipes, TravelNo Comments

I love Holidays that give us an excuse to create a dessert for the occasion and Halloween is one of those days..healthy delicious pumpkin is a seasonal ingredient and makes…

Orecchiette Pasta with Cauliflower and Pecorino | Healthy and Delicious

By maria October 25, 2013Pasta, RecipesNo Comments

“Cauliflower is nothing but cabbage with a college education” Mark Twain A special thanks to everyone that stopped by to see my onstage appearance at the Philly Gourmet Food and…

Anginetti Cookies | Italian Comfort Food

By maria October 18, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), RecipesNo Comments

Healthy Halloween Pumpkin Muffins

By maria October 13, 2013Baking, Holidays, RecipesNo Comments

A Pane Cotto | Flavors of Autumn

By maria October 9, 2013Fall Recipes, Recipes, SoupsNo Comments

Autumn Risotto with Gorgonzola | My Sunny Fall Day at the Farmers Market

By maria October 6, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Fall Recipes, RecipesNo Comments

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns”. - George Eliot I…

The Evolution of Italian Cuisine | Bruschetta Filanti Recipe

By maria October 4, 2013Food Facts, History of Foods, Italian Culture, Italy, RecipesNo Comments

copyright 2013 Maria Liberati/Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc When thinking of Italian cuisine, most assume it is all about spaghetti, meatballs and pizza, ... but potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and maize,…

Homemade Herbed Salt | How to Use Herbs Like an Italian Chef

By maria October 1, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cooking TIps, How To's, RecipesNo Comments

How To Save Money On Halloween Candy

By maria September 30, 2013Food Facts, Holidays, Life HacksNo Comments

There are all kinds of wonderful excuses for stocking up on Halloween candy. The best reason for buying more than you anticipate needing is that you can keep some of…

Lemon Susamielli Recipe (Lemon Cookies) | Festa Italiana Seattle

By maria September 24, 2013Baking, Events & Appearances, La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), RecipesNo Comments

How To Make Apple Butter

By maria September 22, 2013How To's, RecipesNo Comments

Apricot Cornetti | Italian Mornings

By maria September 18, 2013Food Facts, RecipesNo Comments

Eggplant Manicotti Parmigiana with Provolone Cheese | A Few Of My Favorite Things

By maria September 17, 2013Art, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), RecipesNo Comments

"The art of dining well is no slight art, the pleasure no slight pleasure." Michel Eyquem de Montaigne, French essayist (1533-1592) 'Essays' copyright 2013 Maria Liberati/Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc…

How To Make A Plum Crostata | The Plum Diaries

By maria September 11, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Gardening, How To's, RecipesNo Comments

A Slice of Italian Musical History | Making Sapore di Mare al Pesto (Seafood with Pesto)

By maria September 6, 2013Italian Culture, RecipesNo Comments

A slice of History..Italian musical history…I made a stop in Celano a few days ago for some great food, unbelievable scenery and had the pleasure of meeting Red Canzian.. part …

Summer Plum Tiramisu | Unexpected Banquet in the Mountains of Abruzzo

By maria September 3, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Italian Culture, La Dolce Vita (Dessert Recipes), RecipesNo Comments

copyright 2013 Maria Liberati/Art of Living,PrimaMedia,Inc. A family event always turns into a banquet..kisses and hugs coming from every direction..when one arrives ..when one leaves…not sure if they are all…

Food for Thought | Tomatoes of Francavilla, Poetry for the Palate, and Recipes From the Beach

By maria September 2, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Summer Recipes, TravelNo Comments

copyright 2013 Maria Liberati/Art of Living,PrimaMedia,Inc food is poetry..food brings life to the day..it accompanies us throughout the day..mixing flavors and aromas... sensations that touch the heart and…

Memories of Lecce Make a Focaccia Pugliese Recipe

By maria August 26, 2013Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), RecipesNo Comments

A few summers ago my visit to this city of Baroque beauty and I can still remember the taste of Focaccia Pugliese..so simple in its ingredients yet bursting with so…