Buon Natale!
Merry Christmas, Friends! Right now I'm in Italy enjoying the season and picking up new stories, articles, and ideas to share with you in the new year. Have a safe…
Risotto Parmigiana | Interesting Parmigiano Reggiano Facts and Maria's Favorite Recipe
Probably the most famous of all Italian cheeses is Parmigiano reggiano, a hard, granular cheese native to the Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modina, Bologna, and Mantua provinces. Parmigiano reggiano is made…
My Favorite Things | Ergo Chef Knives and Cooking With the Right Tools
One of the most important tools a chef can have in the kitchen is a great set of knives. Not just any old set will do. You might be able…
My Favorite Things | Flavors of Tuscany Spice Blend & Tuscan Bruschetta
Now that it is December, I really have the holidays on the brain! I love this time of year. The air becomes crisper, the smell of fireplaces burning, and giving…
Festa di Ringraziamento | Expressing Thanks
Festa di Ringraziamento (Happy Thanksgiving)! Italians don't exactly celebrate Thanksgiving -- it doesn't relate to their history. But the word "ringraziamento" means "thanksgiving" in Italian, and Italians use it to…
Stay Tuned | Thanksgiving Newsletter
Hello Friends! This week I'm working on my special Thanksgiving newsletter.? I'm dishing out info like traditional Italian-American Thanksgiving recipes and how to easily clean your silver in time for…
Marrons Glacés and Chestnut Truffles Roasting on an Open Fire
To make foods that taste incredible, it is always best to tailor your dishes to what is currently in season. Right now, chestnuts are in full swing ripe and…
My Fair Ischia | Five Days in Italian Paradise
November 3, 2006 Hello, Everyone! This week has really felt more like spring than a cool, brisk autumn. And these warm, sunny days remind me of this glorious, almost mystical…
Il Perdonanza Celestinia | Medieval Celebrations
October 25, 2006 Cara Diario! Im sorry I havent written in so long, but Ive had quite the adventure these past few months. I traveled all over Italy from August…
Celebrating Ferragosto | Pasticcio de Tonno
Caro Diario (dear diary): today is the 14th of August, the day before the biggest summer holiday for the Italians. It is a holiday known as Ferragosto or 15th of…