zucchini, parmigiano and mint sformato flan
This cute zucchini and ricotta sformato (Italian flan) is delicious, gorgeous, and quite easy to make as an appetizer or vegetarian main.
Category: Appetizers
roasted eggplants alla marinara
Served with a slice of crunchy bread, these eggplants alla marinara are perfect for a light, meatless meal. You can also serve them as an appetizer, or cut them into squares and serve for an aperitivo on the terrace to enjoy the long, golden evenings.
lazy basil eggplant sformato
I remember being on a plane a long time ago, probably on my way to a conference or other project abroad. The gentlemen on my left side was flying somewhere to embark on a trip on the Trans-Siberian Railway, the legendary train line which is connecting Moscow with Vladivostok since 1916. He was alone, a…… Continue reading lazy basil eggplant sformato
Bucciotto, a cheese-bread doll for Easter
Easter in Umbria is not for those with a delicate constitution. A cheese-egg-meat-wine-chocolate binge starts at 9 am on Easter Sunday with breakfast and ends into a food induced coma sometime at 5 pm. By then, some of the aunties are passing around giant mounds of broken chocolate eggs and slices of colomba just in…… Continue reading Bucciotto, a cheese-bread doll for Easter
cold wild-fennel and cucumber soup
August is a long, slow month in Umbria. Most of the world seems to be somewhere else. Italians flock to the beach and everybody else believes it’s not a good time to be here so it’s very quiet here on our magical mountain. Every evening at sunset we sit on the terrace with a glass…… Continue reading cold wild-fennel and cucumber soup
garbanzo bean farinata with caramelized onions and rosemary
As you probably know Italians have a long tradition of eating vegan food. You didn’t know it? Well, think about it: spaghetti with aglio, olio and peperoncino is vegan. Minestrone is also vegan. Eating fruit at the end of a meal instead of a dessert is the norm here. And, in addition we have a variety…… Continue reading garbanzo bean farinata with caramelized onions and rosemary
Umbrian-style panzanella salad
If you ask a food writer who is worth her(his) salt what “authentic” Italian food really is, she will tell you that “authentic” in food does not exists. However, millions of people visit Italy every year not only for its many cultural treasures but to experience the true, original Italian cuisine. So often I have…… Continue reading Umbrian-style panzanella salad
