Merry Christmas from the Country House (part 1)
Copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Christmas has deliciously arrived at the house in the country, branches of fresh rosemary for decoration and a roaring fire in the caminetto, the scents our…
Italian Cuisine..not just pizza and pasta…
Italian Cuisine When thinking about Italian cuisine, most people think about pasta, and pizza, pizza, pizza... but potatoes, tomatoes, bell peppers, and maize, introduced in the 18th century, are often…
Frittata with Mint
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati This frittata is one of my favorites and is so simple made up only of a few ingredients..not the least important is the fresh mint to…
Fresh Mint, Rosemary & A House in the Country
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati A morning of mentuccia (mint) and rosmarino (rosemary), a day in the country. One last day at the country house before fall really sets in, the…
Spaghetti alla Pescatore & Labor Day
Spaghetti al Pescatore will be on schedule tomorrow in The Basic Art of Italian Cooking kitchen tomorrow. I know it's Labor Day back in the States and most are planning…
Pizza & Poetry…
copyright 2009, Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc Someone once said that 'poetry is made up of memories and the act of recalling a special moment and without remembering or the…
Fresh Ricotta Cheesecake & a Picnic
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking kitchen here in Italy was busy with many recipes today, although still hot, hot, hot and no desire to use an oven or a…
Settembrini and September
copyright 2009, art of living, PrimaMedia,Inc September is now the month of the 'Settembrini' when everything has a September feel to it. The air now has a gentler heat…
A Dinner in Three Acts..
A dinner of freshly prepared seafood and linguine is always on the menu when I am at the beach and this weekend was no exception. Eating grilled fish and pasta…
September on the Beach & Pasta al Forno
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati As we approach September everything here becomes known as 'settembrini' (loosely translated to mean 'septemberish'): The figs that are ripening now are smaller than the ones…
Fresh Peppers & Grape Tomatoes & Vibrant Colors
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati The peppers are so vibrant in colors, I guess they don't want to be overshadowed by the vivid beauty of the Italian summer sun. A visit…
Watermelon..Il Sole Mio & Hot August Nights
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Last night ended with the best refresher of all; a slice of locally produced watermelon. Not a fan of air conditioning and at home there is…
Linguine with Fresh, Local Tomatoes
Copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Aug/Sept 2009 issue of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati ezine now ready at http://tinyurl.com/pfo8xb Here is a recipe being prepared, as…
A House is A Home..with lots of food of course!
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati No matter how big or small or elegant or simple, a house-- and that is any house- -from a villa to an apartment- is not…
When the Ordinary Becomes the Extraordinary..
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati I have always thought of Italian cooking as just that; always making something ordinary into something extraordinary! Day-old bread becomes an elegant appetizer with just a…
Torta Rustica..a recipe for a delicious summer lunch..
Lunch (per my previous post today) was a treat for the taste buds and the recipe for the Torta Rustica-which literally means- rustic pie. A few tips on Torta Rustica-this…
Today's Souvenirs from Italy-Torte
Be on the lookout for two recipes from The Basic Art of Italian Kitchen here in Italy. Today was all about the Torte. We made a Torte Rustica which will…
Ciambellone Classico in the Mountains of Abruzzo
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Dessert for yesterday's August 15th Holiday picnic was delicious and is as easy to make as it is to eat. Had the picnic at home in the…
Happy August 15th!
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Stopped for a picnic today in the mountains of Abruzzo, after all it is the 15th of August, the biggest summer Holiday in all of Europe.…
La Valigia di Sogni (part 2)
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Suitcase not unpacked yet, filled still with lots of dreams to follow, will be back soon from the visit to Pescara and nearby towns. Found a beautiful…
Waiting for Rome…Cornetto..cappuccino…
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Counting down the hours here at the airport till my first authentic cappuccino and cornetto, 13 hours and counting, after all is has been about 8…
The G 8 Pizza-Mixing Food & Politics
Mixing Food and Politics Today, Thursday and Friday there is a G8 summit happening in Abruzzo, specifically in L'Aquila the city that suffered the powerful earthquake this past April. Word…
Delicious not Complicated…
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Summer should be filled with delicious, uncomplicated foods.... Although food always evokes some kind of memory, the warm beautiful summer sun that shone briefly today, took…
Look Outside For The Rainbow & Anginetti
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Where did this message come from? All of a sudden in my e-mail inbox after a trying day; a well needed message to remind me to…
Fresh Watermelon, Strawberries & Memorial Day
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati A Happy Memorial Day weekend! Does this mean summer is finally here? It must be summer, I got to purchase my first baby watermelon yesterday and…
Farfalle..the Stylish Pasta
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Farfalle pasta (or bow tie pasta) always seemed more stylish and elegant to me than spaghetti or penne. Maybe it's the fact that they look like…
Bruschetta for Mother's Day Brunch
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Mother's Day is celebrated all around the world and some celebrate the day more simply than others. Find meaning in small beautiful gestures, preparing a special…
White Wines Perfect for Spring Meals
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati A special thank you to everyone that braved the rain on Sunday and came to my appearance at the Great Grapes Event in Annapolis Maryland on…
Time to Harvest the Fiddleheads….
Copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Editor: Erin Kuhn Spring is a time for renewal, fresh air and growth. Watching the trees bloom and tulips blossom stirs excitement in people after a…
My Blackberry Garden & Freezer Jams
copyright 2009, Art of Living, PrimaMedia, Inc Editor: Erin Kuhns Fresh and local berries (not those that have traveled hundreds of miles to get to the table) are coming now that…
