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
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
In my life there are happy peppers and sad peppers. At a first sight they look quite the same, but they are false brothers. The sad peppers are those found in the supermarket shelves in the winter, slightly fibrous glasshouse monsters devoid of any flavor and scent. I use them sometime, just out of boredom… Continue reading roasted sweet pepper rolls in tomato sauce
Do you already make spinach pie? If you don’t, you must hurry as this is the simplest one-dish dinner you can make besides a plate of pasta. I learned the original Serbian recipe from my artist friend Natasa Karanovic when we were living the bohemian life in the country of windmills and houseboats. Ah, the… Continue reading hot-water pastry spinach pie
After having been involved with teaching and thinking about food for over than 10 years, I am completely convinced that the art of Italian cooking is to extract flavor from food rather than adding flavor through elaboration. This is the ultimate discovery of modern Italian cuisine. Not the foams, not the rare ingredients, not the… Continue reading roasted rosemary mushroom parcels
Does cauliflower count for detox? That’s what we are supposed to do for at least one week in January, isn’t it? Have you done the salad treatment and figured it’s bad for you since there’s a foot of snow outside? It’s too cold for self-inflicted punishment. I am so glad is not bikini time yet.… Continue reading savory cauliflower crostata
Eggplant. It’s been good to have you through this cruel summer, the hottest and dryest in decades. Sweet, firm, smooth, full of the flavor of Arabian nights. We did a lot of nice things together, hot things. But now it’s over. This is the last time. In a short while you will be spongy, seedy… Continue reading roasted eggplant ricotta dip with fresh zucchini salad
