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…
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…
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.…
Pinot Grigio..in Oregon??
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Pinot Gris, has delighted the lips of wine-lovers for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to Burgundy, France (where it is called…
On The Road Again..Enjoying Local Produce.
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati From locally produced zucchini and plumcots to heirloom tomatoes, my trip to Annapolis ,Maryland down to Fairfax Virginia...was a delicious one. Traveling by car (in the…
How to Serve Wine..
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Tonight, I finished up one of my wine education and wine pairing events at one of my favorite vineyards. Something that no one seemed to have…
Eating is An Experience!
copyright 2009, Art of Living, PrimaMedia,Inc., Maria Liberati Today as I finished up a panel discussion at the Chestnut Hill Book Festival in Chestnut Hill, Pa on writing your own…
Flavors for the 4th….
Nothing epitomizes summer more than a picnic or barbecue on July 4th. Here's some healthy and fun ideas to make yours: For a healthy holiday dish for the grill this…
A Tale of Grappa..
Copyright 2009, Maria Liberati Editor: Kate Hollinger Grappa, a native Italian drink not for the faint of heart, is not as popular as the wines of Italy but just as…
Truffles, Risotto and a Villa in Umbria
Here is an excerpt of this month's newsletter. To read the full newsletter go to: http://tinyurl.com/df9rc5 Truffles and Meats: Two Staple Foods from Umbria copyright2009, Maria Liberati Editor: Christa…
Michelangelo, DaVinci: Food & Art & Life
copyright, 2009, Maria Liberati Editor: Patrick Coyne The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Food, Art, Life...all related topics, cooking is an art...the way we eat is an art, the way…
Feb/March 2009-Newsletter
This month's newsletter is filled with articles and sweet treats for Carnevale in Venice, menu of the month, recipe of the month, Recipe Contest with La Cucina Italiana Magazine, Interview with Food…
Carnevale in Venice and Sweet Treats
I have been blogging about it for a few weeks in anticipation of this beautiful, colorful event. If you can't be there in Venice, you can watch...take a look at…
Wines, Venice, Carnevale..
Have been blogging about upcoming Carnevale and Venice in most of my posts in the past few weeks. But if you want to pick your wines for Valentines' Day dinner-…
Buon San Valentino..
copyright 2009, Maria Liberati, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Valentine's Day is fast approaching and I am on this 'kick' for everything Valentine. My 'better half' has even told…
That Magical Nectar Called..Wine..
Well San Valentino or Saint Valentine's Day is fast approaching...the nectar of choice for the perfect Valentine's Day dinner is ...wine. It has been said that wine has magical powers...the…
Retro is Back..
Retro food is in. From comfort foods, to preparing things from 'scratch'. In the US of course we have macaroni and cheese, apple pie, meatloaf. In Italy retro is coming…
Sacher Torte , part 2
I can hear the fireworks outside my office window as I am writing. My cousin would like to think they are shooting fireworks for his birthday, but I know it…
Vino, Vidi, Vici (part 2) & Phytonutrients
Ahh my two favorite things wine & healthy foods. Did you know also that wine contains phytonutrients.., the very same substances that have been found to boost immunity and eye…
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking January 2009
Get your copy of the January edition of the digital magazine of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm magazine at: http://tinyurl.com/98xbtf For more great recipes get your…
Quick Desserts with Amaretti
The Basic Art of Italian Cooking Kitchen has been busy working on many a recipe. Although you may be tired of desserts from the Holidays. If you have any leftover…
How to Serve Wine..
copyright, 2008, Maria Liberati Tonight, I finished up one of my wine education and wine pairing events at a winery. Something that no one seemed to have a clue about was…
Risi e Bisi- a dish from Venice
I am going to be hosting a culinary cruise throughout the Mediterranean in April '09- leaving from Venice on April 26th and traveling to Dubrovnik, Greece, Istanbul and Bari, Italy. …
Picking Plums, Fresh Pasta and Palio of Siena
copyright, 2008, Maria Liberati The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm As I began my morning very early yesterday to finish picking our fresh plums and 'susine'…
Happy August 15th-Ferragosto (part 2)
Buon Ferragosto Picnic (Second Part) copyright, 2008, Maria Liberati, The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm Editor: Michela Pompeo Here is the second part of the…
Happy August 15th-Ferragosto (part 1)
The August sun has been intense here in Italy, hot and intense is the only way to describe it. It is the sun that was meant for August in Italy. The…
