After a fairly wet spring and a blazing hot summer, Italian wine-makers have high expectations for their wines. Grape harvest is finished and wineries are enveloped in fermentation vapours. My friends who make wine have a big smile on their tired face. The crop was healthy and the wine is expected to be bold and beautiful, especially the reds. This might even have the potential … Continue reading pork saltimbocca with guanciale and grapes
Having returned from a wonderful holiday, full of energy, ideas and an intense wish to neglect the existence of January, I want to start this year with a really new and extraordinary recipe. Something you never thought of. Something that will become even more trendy than cupcakes or mochi ice cream. OK, I’ll stop here and disclose the truth: I hate food trends, I love … Continue reading spinach and fennel polpettine (meatballs) in a crunchy polenta crust
Every time I make meatloaf I have to think of my friend AnnMarie. A sophisticated American-Italian from New York, she told me that her mum would serve meatloaf only to family. Apparently she did not consider it presentable to guests due to its lack of elegance. The remark caused a certain level of worry as the dish had been ruthlessly celebrated in my house – … Continue reading broccoli meatloaf
I am sure there must be an ancient proverb saying: whenever you add a good sausage to your food, it will be delicious. I do apply it with restrain so that I can fit through the doors, but it works every time. Of course, you will say. You are in Umbria, you worship sausages. Yes, but there are rules. I don’t buy mass-produced sausages. They … Continue reading zucchini and sausage risotto
I have been keeping this post for one of those rare days when I have enough time in my hands. I wanted quiet and concentration to explain in sufficient detail what might be one of the best pasta recipes in the world. To tell you that cappelletti, the Umbrian diminuitive version of tortellini, is pasta Nirvana. Well. We are snowed in. We have no car … Continue reading cappelletti pasta made with an ancient grain
