Buonasera! Thankfully things are starting to settle down in regards to my other two professional pursuits (a.k.a. jobs), so this sporadic posting should be at an end. I look forward to reestablising a more consistant dialog with all of you. That said, tonight it was Gemelli (a rope-like pasta – it means “twins” in Italian) with Italian Sausage, Broccoli Rabe, …
Ciao! Found myself chatting with a woman struggling to remember a certain wine she had enjoyed while on a recent trip to Tuscany. After fielding some probing questions, I was able to ascertain that she was referring to Vin Santo, a traditional Italian dessert wine. In case you’re interested… Vin Santo is a made from white grape varieties such as …
Ciao a tutti, and thank god it’s Friday!!. This heat has been relentless, so tonight’s Dolce (remember, it’s Sweets Night at Tavolo Mio) had to be light and refreshing. Pears Poached in Red Wine fit the bill nicely. Cinnamon, Vanilla Bean, Star Anise, Clove, Cardamon, Bay Leaf and a colorful melange of whole Peppercorns lent an exotic, Fall-like quality to …
Buonasera! Tonight I salute the Northern Italian (Rotto) side of my family. Ciuppin is a classic soup of Genoa, similar in flavor to Cioppino (a San Francisco Italio/Portuguese creation), only with much less tomato. This seafood stew is cooked to the point where all of the ingredients are literally falling apart. The incredible aroma and intense flavor of this Ligurian …
Buonasera! Okay, anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Castelvetrano Olives (truly one of Sicily’s most magnificent gifts to mankind). SERIOUSLY, I can sit and eat these rich green, buttery little puppies for hours. And so I am. If you’re looking for me, I’ve died and gone to olive heaven. Ciao!
Ciao! Wow, time flies when you’re working seven days a week. (Luckily, see some light at the end of the tunnel.) Regardless, have managed to experiment with my new favorite Ferrari Olive Oil Co. balsamic, Espresso. Today – Lemon Pound Cake topped w/Espresso-glazed Apples. Variation: Lemon Poundcake, sliced Bananas, Espresso Balsamic & Vanilla Cream; dust w/Cinnamon & Cocoa. No matter …
Ciao everyone! Last night I found myself chatting with one of our cooking class attendees about a mutual love for Chestnut Honey. As a result, my baking selection for “Friday, Sweet Friday” was an easy one – Torta con Miele di Castagno (Chestnut Honey & Walnut Cake) Okay, it may be a little ‘Fallish’ in terms of flavor profile, but …
Ciao! A long day, with another lining up right behind it. With my candle buring at both ends, decided I deserved to treat myself to something special – Poached Figs in Orange Almond Sauce. I loved this as a kid when Nonna Caroline served them at Sunday dinner. To update the recipe; give it a more adult, sophisticated twist, I …
Buonasera! Suffered through another hot day in SoCal. What to do, what to do? Well, besides cranking up the AC, cranked up the ice cream maker (seem to be doing that a lot lately, but if the weather fits…). Limoncello Gelato – takes me to a cooler place, although not nearly as cool as the sailboat my cousin is currently …
Ciao! After spending a day in IT hell, the last thing I wanted was complexity in my kitchen. That said, the solution was ‘simple’ – Cozze in Salsa di Vino Bianco (Mussels in White Wine Sauce) It’s the quality of the ingredients that make this dish shine, so be sure to use only the best olive oil, perfectly ripe tomatoes… …