What do Italians Enjoy Eating? It’s a special occasion… so what’s on the dinner tables in Italy? Have you ever wondered what a true Italian table looks like at Easter? How about at Christmas? In my opinion, Italians are masters …
Complete Seasonal Guide to Eating in Italy
Seasonal Guide to Eating in Italy Eating in Italy is one of the great experiences of visiting this country. As one of the world’s most beloved cuisines, the secret of Italian food lies in its seasonal ingredients. Life in Italy …
Guide to the Italian Restaurant Menu: How to Read and Understand
Ahhh, the Italian restaurant menu – first of all – it can be very confusing. Typically, a traditional Italian meal generally has three courses—antipasti, primi, and secondi with the option for dolce, or dessert – of course! Antipasti The word …
Italian Cuisine Quiz: Test Your Knowledge With Some Fun
Italian Cuisine Quiz… Let’s try your knowledge with an Italian cuisine quiz. So… you think you know Italian cuisine pretty well? Italian cuisine is one of the most delicious in the world. There are endless famous dishes and desserts to …
Cooking Pasta: Know the 10 Commandments
Cooking Pasta So for tonight’s dinner, you’re cooking pasta. Brava. You should think ahead because it’s not just about boiling some water and throwing some dried pasta into it. There is so much more to it than that. Here are …
Never Wash a Moka Pot With Soap
You aren’t supposed to clean your Moka Pot with Soap? How does it then get clean? It’s a sure bet that every household in Italy has at least one Moka pot. They probably have two or three in different sizes …
Ilene’s New York Cheesecake
The key to this New York cheesecake is the water bath. If you don’t have a sizeable lasagna-type pan, you can purchase an inexpensive metal one from the grocery store. This is a family favorite and featured in our book, …
Autogrill Surprise | Traveling the Autostrada
It’s been quite a while since Gary and I stopped at an Autogrill rest station on the autostrada (Italy’s highway). We mainly travel by train, but a recent car trip with friends to the northern part of Italy brought back …
Balsamic in Modena: Outstanding Experience
Balsamic Vinegar: What is it about that “black gold” liquid that’s so special? Who doesn’t love balsamic vinegar? A recent trip with our good friends JoAn and Jim took us to an amazing family-run place in Modena. They’ve enjoyed visiting …
Dario: The Man, The Legend, My Hero
Dario Cecchini In 2019 Ilene and I were introduced to a few cooking shows by our daughter Ally and her significant other Brett. There was a bigger-than-life character in all three shows. His name is Dario Cecchini. He is a …
Dried vs Fresh Pasta | Which is Better?
Most of us growing up in “non-Italian” families grew up with dried pasta. For me, it was every Friday night with fish sticks. How funny that is still a vivid memory of my childhood. Now, I can’t say the same …
What is Buccellato di Lucca? Ancient Bread Recipe
Buccellato di Lucca is from the Tuscan region and particularly – the city of Lucca. The bread is made with raisins, and it used to be the favorite of the Roman army. Shaped in the form of a ring or …