aperitifs - The Basic Art of Italian Cooking

Dinner is Not Just a Meal | Crostini with Radicchhio, Mozzarella and Caramelized Figs

By maria January 25, 2012aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Italian Culture, Italy, Recipes, VegetarianNo Comments

copyright 2012 Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc/Maria Liberati (photo credits: www.dolci.it) A cena (dinner) with friends is an all night event..from 8 PM to 1 AM..first the selection of the restaurant..then…

Lord Byron, Lobster & Champagne

By maria January 8, 2011Abruzzo, aperitifs, Country Living, Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, slow food, Special Occasions, the Mediterranean diet, Travel & customsNo Comments

A Last Minute 'Capodanno' Celebration

By maria December 30, 2010Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Holidays, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, slow food, the Mediterranean dietNo Comments

A day spent looking for' funghi' (mushrooms) for a dish of hot polenta on a cold winter day.....a fun day to look for mushrooms because I encountered so many friends…

Eggplant Parmigiano on the Beach & August 15th

By maria August 9, 2010Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Holidays, Recipes, Special OccasionsNo Comments

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…

Tramezzini & My Days as a 'Gastronaut'

By maria July 25, 2010aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Country Living, Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, Rome, slow food, the Mediterranean diet, Travel & customs, Upcoming Appearances, upcoming booksNo Comments

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…

Recharge Your Summer

By maria July 18, 2010Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Country Living, Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Features, La Dolce Vita, Rome, slow food, the Mediterranean diet, UncategorizedNo Comments

Mint Syrup..a Refreshing Memory of Spring!

By maria April 13, 2010aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), La Dolce Vita, Recipes, Uncategorized1 Comment

Organic Wine, Fiorano & Le Marche

By maria March 5, 2010aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, History of Foods, Le Marche, slow food, the Mediterranean diet, Travel & customsNo Comments

Editor: Laura D'Alonzo copyright 2010, art of living, PrimaMedia,Inc See the Fiorano vineyard here (click the link below): DSCN1059 Upon hearing “Pecorino,” you may immediately think of an Italian staple-…

How to Make Fresh Winter Macedonia…

By maria February 27, 2010Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Recipes1 Comment

Hypnotized or somewhat like Pavlov's dogs, embarrassingly, I am always making bowls of Macedonia (an Italian-style fresh fruit salad) for an after lunch and dinner dessert.... I didn't realize how…

The True Meaning of Valentine & A Cocktail

By maria February 4, 2010aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, Entertaining, Holidays, Recipes, Travel & customs, WineNo Comments

My trip to Terni, Italy -(where Valentine's Day gets it's origin from St Valentine-who lived there) was not filled with decorations of hearts and flowers as I had…

Rossini & Santa Margherita Prosecco

By maria February 1, 2010aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, EntertainingNo Comments

Fine music and fine wine make the perfect pair, and so the Rossini Cocktail was born, make it with Santa Margherita Prosecco and you have the perfect opening to a…

Watermelon..Il Sole Mio & Hot August Nights

By maria August 25, 2009Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Facts, Features, La Dolce Vita, Mediterranean Culinary Cruise, Recipes, slow food, UncategorizedNo Comments

How to Make a Day Salty and Sweet

By maria June 14, 2009aperitifs, Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, slow food, the Mediterranean diet, Tuscan, UmbriaNo Comments

Food for Thought & Tramezzini

By maria June 7, 2009aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Features, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, slow food, the Mediterranean diet, Tuscan, Upcoming AppearancesNo Comments

"Hmm..." said the bank manager, "you sure go food shopping a lot?" "What do you mean? " I said. "Well when you had us research the check for your phone…

Balsamic Vinegar -Made in the USA

By maria May 27, 2009aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Facts, Features, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, the Mediterranean diet, WineNo Comments

A Tale of Grappa..

By maria May 18, 2009aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Facts, Features, History of Foods, La Dolce Vita, slow food, Travel & customs, Upcoming Appearances, WineNo Comments

Rossini, Cocktails and Spring Holidays

By maria April 19, 2009Abruzzo, aperitifs, Caro Diario. (Dear diary...), Cooking School in Tuscany, Cucina, cucina povere, Entertaining, Facts, Features, History of Foods, Holidays, La Dolce Vita, Recipes, Special OccasionsNo Comments