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When I feel like baking something beautiful, sweet, and reaching toward my Italian roots, I bake a crostata. I love the jewel tones of the (homemade) jam, the not-too-sweet dough, the pleasure I see in my family’s eyes when they know they will soon get a tasty slice. For me, a piece of crostata isContinue reading “Gotta Love a Crostata – #1”

January, 2020 Happy New Year! After all the holiday festivities and calories (yes, our Christmas Eve tiramisu’ was fabulous again this year, thanks to Emily – check out the updated photos in the December post), I thought it might be time for some veggies in the way of a “big soup” – a minestrone. MyContinue reading “Minestrone – time for “a big soup””

December, 2019 For the holidays, I thought I would share with you what has become a Christmas Eve tradition for us, and is, truly, the best and simplest tiramisu’ recipe.  You’re welcome. Back in 2005, seventeen (17!) of us Pitagoras met Italy for: a week at a villa near Lucca (Villa La Volpe), a few daysContinue reading “The Best Tiramisu”

During a week long stay in Rome back in the fall of 2016, we couldn’t resist spending a day in Tuscany with a Walks of Italy tour.  (We also used Walks of Italy for our “Pristine Sistine” Vatican tour – see travel notes below). Though there wasn’t a lot of walking that day, the tour didContinue reading “Pumpkins and Kale”

With the change of season upon us, I want to share with you what has become a staple in my house: Brodo di Pollo –  chicken broth that is so easy and delicious I make it once a week, drink it for lunch, use it for soups and sauces, and my daughters ask for my “magicContinue reading “Allora, what about Broth …”

September, 2019 My paternal grandmother, Emilia, was born in a little village in these hills above Rapallo on the Italian Riviera in Liguria. Ever since I first visited the area, and our relatives, and tried the local pasta with fresh real pesto, I have been working to perfect my recipe and the process. Although itContinue reading “Allora, let’s talk about Pesto!”

August, 2019 Since we are in the peak of tomato season, I want to begin by sharing my version of an incredible treat from my most recent (this July/August) visit to Italia. Sicilian Chef Carlo loGrande at Ristorante la Norma in Lucca, Tuscany, prepared this as the first plate of a five-plate appetizer spread.  This isContinue reading “Burrata with Tomato Ice”