The magic of Sagra del Tordo
Some days are just magical…and yesterday was one of those days. The town came alive as the festivities for Sagra unfolded…each quartieri arrived in the …
Market day in Montalcino
I love Italian market days and Friday is market day in Montalcino. Even the foggy, rainy morning did not keep the locals from climbing the …
Raindrops on the piazza
Rainy Thursday morning here in Montalcino. Sitting at Fiaschetteria having my cappucino watching the raindrops softly fall on the Piazza di Popolo. The village is …
Whispers through the valley
Buon giorno, tutti. Once again, I find myself at Cafe Fiaschetteria for my morning cappucino. Yesterday after arriving at Casa Vigneto, I again found myself …
Cappucino by the sea
Buon giorno, tutti. I have been wanting to see the sea near Tuscany for some time so even though off season, I ventured to the …
Sunday morning in Montalcino
Buon giorno, tutti. Sitting at Cafe Fiaschettera in the Piazza del Popolo in Montalcino….enjoying a cappucino as the locals wander in for their morning cafe..pretty …
Fontina and Spinach Stuffed Pork Chops
Although I dread the winter temps, I love when fall first arrives and my cooking turns to things stuffed, roasted or stewed. Friends arrived for …
Torta Tarantina di Patate: Cheese-and-Tomato-Topped Potato Pie
I was searching for a different type of appetizer for a dinner party on Friday eve and stumbled upon an unusual ‘pizza’ made in the …
In Celebration of La Vendemmia: Schiacciata con l’Uva (Focaccia with Grapes)
The 2009 grape harvest – ‘la vendemmia’ – has begun! My friends in Montalcino emailed that the harvesting of the much loved sangiovese grapes of Montalcino …
Wild Mushroom Ragu over Creamy Fontina Polenta
I have been watching the colors outside my kitchen window slowly turn to the earthy landscape of fall. I so love the rhythm of the …
Toast to the Pomodoro: Fresh Tomato and Tuna Pasta
There it is….my very last tomato from my garden for the season…grown from seeds I bought in Italy in the spring. Look at its simple …
Roasted Eggplant Antipasto
Just arrived back home from a great weekend at brother Joey and Mark’s sunny retreat in LA and was starving but with a mountain of …