Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures Blog

Welcome to 

Blog Categories

all posts

travel

recipes

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 […]

Main Dish, Recipes

Margherita Pizza with Fresh Basil

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. […]

Main Dish, Meat, Recipes

Lamb Stew With Cannellini Beans

Lamb Stew With Cannellini Beans

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. […]

Lake Garda, Main Dish, Pasta, Recipes, Travel

Linguine with Lemon and Living Longer in Limone, Italy

Linguine with Lemon

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 […]

First Course (Primi), Gluten Free, Main Dish, Recipes, Seafood

Risotto with Shrimp, Scallops and Asparagus (Risotto con Gamberi, Capesante e Asparagi)

Risotto with Shrimp and Scallops

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 […]

Bread, First Course (Primi), Main Dish, Recipes

Piadina {Guest Post by Liz Benedettini Larkin}

Piadina

  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 […]

First Course (Primi), Main Dish, Recipes, Salad, Vegetables

Farro Salad with Kale, Radishes and Toasted Walnuts

Farro Salad

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 […]

Books, Main Dish, Recipes, Soup

A Conversation with Colman Andrews on The Country Cooking of Italy and Cookbook Giveaway

The Country Cooking of Italy

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 […]

Main Dish, Meat, Recipes

Florentine Steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina)

Florentine Steak

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 […]

First Course (Primi), Main Dish, Pasta, Recipes

Homemade Pappardelle with Zucchini, Cherry Tomatoes and Pecorino

Papparadelle with Zucchini and cherry tomatoes

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 […]

Brunch, First Course (Primi), Main Dish, Recipes, Vegetables

Tortino agli Asparagi Verdi (Egg Tart with Asparagus)

Egg Tart with Asparagus

Travel Services

Adventure Made Easy—and Made Just for You

At Ortensia Blu, we design true adventures. This is adventure that takes you to the heart of your destination—without sacrificing an ounce of comfort along the way. Our adventures come from knowing the right people (a.k.a. our expert in-country partners), asking the right questions, and being there for you every step of the journey.

Discover how we'll design your next travel adventure.

our travel services