Let’s be honest, everyone loves pizza –– and they always have. People have been making versions of it in different cultures for centuries. That is until, like they always do, the Italians came along and perfected it. What most of us think of when we hear the word “pizza” today is a version of the […]

They say that everyone leaves a digital footprint. Not so. A few years ago I posted my Lamb Stew with Cannellini beans (Stufato di agnello con fagioli canellini) recipe. But with changes to both my blog and website over the years, it got lost. Gone. Disappeared. Along with a several others of my favorite recipes. […]

I really don’t know where to start talking about Limone, a charming village tucked away on the western shore of Lake Garda. We could begin with the beautiful, relaxed setting framed by the mountains towering above… Or I could tell you about the luscious, tangy, smooth, simple Tagliatelle al Limone I thoroughly enjoyed at a restaurant on the lakefront. […]

If you invite me to your house for dinner, I will eat anything you prepare. Really. If you’re going through the time and effort to prepare a meal, I will wholeheartedly enjoy every bite. Dietary restrictions, food allergies and food aversions are not a part of my life, which probably makes me one of the […]

From Laney Would you like to know the first thing I tasted made by Liz Benedettini Larkin…with her dark hair, big smile and very Italian name? Scones! Yup, scones! You see, Liz is known around these parts as “The Scone Lady” because she bakes these amazing scones and sells them under the name of Mrs. Larkin’s […]

  I’m not one to eat something just because it has nutritional and health benefits – if it doesn’t taste good, I won’t eat it (unless someone comes up with a food GUARANTEED for instant weight loss or the fountain of youth, in which case all bets are off and I’ll try anything). Ancient grains […]

Congratulations to the winner of our Cookbook Giveaway – Amy Hunsberger! Courtesy of Chronicle Books and Colman Andrews, Amy will receive an autographed copy of The Country Cooking of Italy. Thanks to everyone for your fabulous comments!  I wonder if Colman Andrews, the internationally acclaimed food, wine and travel writer, ever gets tired of the […]

I don’t grill. I hate fire. I hate flames. I shop, prepare, cook, serve and pour the wine but I don’t grill. (I also hate cleaning up – did I mention that?) My husband Peter grills and actually has developed quite the reputation for his fine grilling skills. Nevertheless, I hover next to him over the […]

Pappardelle is a simple pasta made with flour, eggs and salt and it doesn’t take much time to prepare really good homemade pasta. Here is my small but useful handbook on how to prepare a perfect dough: 1) If possible, use a wooden board because the roughness of the wood is more suitable than a […]

When Laney arrived in Italy, I was so excited to finally meet her…and to get to know the American girl who would help me to speak English better and who gave me the opportunity to cook and join her blog! It was love at first sight! I spent three wonderful days with her, Monica and […]