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 …
Where We Grocery Shop | You Wanted to Know
We’ve received many emails expressing an interest as to exactly where we grocery shop in Lucca. Now that we have put our roots down, we are beginning to establish our favorite places. Two words should come to your mind when …
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same
Gelato | Warning: Not All Are The Same There are hundreds of places for gelato in Italy. Literally, hundreds. But are all places the same for that yummy cold stuff? Gelato is an English term for ice cream made in …
Italian Olive Oil – What You Should Know
Italian Olive Oil Today’s post is all about Italian olive oil. In thinking about posts you might like, I have written about kinds of pasta, sauces, and wines, and for some reason – olive oil popped into my head. I …
Popular Classic Sauces of Italian Cuisine
It’s sauce – not gravy! When I think of Italian food, I think of a beautiful Marinara sauce over my favorite spaghetti with a sprinkle of fresh cheese whether it be Pecorino or Parmigiano Reggiano. Add a nice loaf of …
Cacio e Pepe: An Easy Roman Pasta Dish
Cacio e Pepe I always thought Cacio e Pepe was made with cream. Little did I know it’s the cheese mixed with the pasta water that creates the smooth cheesy sauce all by itself! Gary and I took a pasta …