Italian Donuts are the Bomb!

Donuts, deep-fried rings of dough that can be enjoyed glazed or filled.  While Homer Simpson’s most sought-after sugar fix appears to be a classic North American confection, variations of this dessert seem to span the globe.  For example,  the syrup soaked and coconut covered Koesister of South Africa; the fluffy egg-white sphere filled with red […]

Must-Have Mastazzoli

If you’ve ever visited a fair or festival in Italy you’ve likely seen City squares crowded with banchini (booths) where vendors are selling their wares. These often include religious articles, souvenirs and regional fare.  Among them you will typically find mastazzolari selling celebratory confections known as mastazzoli Mastazzoli, typical of Soriano Calabro (a town in […]

Sawdust Spaghetti to Celebrate San Giuseppe

In the Italian culture, the date March 19th is a significant one; it is the day that we honour St. Joseph and all fathers.   While most are familiar with the sweet side of this celebration, Zeppole di San Giuseppe; there are several food traditions associated with this feast day. Because this feast day falls during […]

Happy Pal-entine’s Day!

Psychology dictates that there are different types of love ranging from manic and sexual love to romantic and pragmatic love.  Throughout our lives we will all experience this emotion in varying degrees; from the puppy love of my first elementary school boyfriend, to the passion and intimacy of an amorous relationship and the undying and […]

Friday Night Fast Food

Utter the words fast food and many call to mind the fried fare available under golden arches (and their relative counterparts).  While I grew up enjoying the occasional burger and fries my concept of fast food was, and still is, something entirely different.  Even now as a mother, my definition of fast-food has very little […]

Pining for Pignolata

While I’m always aiming to capture and maintain my cultural culinary traditions, I make a special effort during the holidays.  Each year at Christmas I fire up the fryer for a festive family favourite. This dessert, like many, has several different identities, Neapolitans know it as struffoli; in Abruzzo it is cicerchiata and if you’re […]

Emilia-Romagna: A Treasure Trove of Taste

Situated in Italy’s Northeast, the region of Emilia-Romagna has now been added to my must-visit list the next I travel to the bel paese.   “Why?” you ask.  The answer, because it is a territory from which some of the most exquisite flavors in all of Italy are born.  Emilia-Romagna is a veritable treasure trove of […]

Tasting Tuscany with Chef Silvia Baracchi

Giuseppe Verdi once said “You may have the universe if I may have Italy” to which I would specify, Tuscany.  It is perhaps my favourite region in Italy; the rolling hills, olive groves, fields of sunflowers and lush vineyards from which some of the most extraordinary tastes are cultivated.  Tastes such as the ones I […]

Cuppa Cappuccino Anyone?

Fire up your frother in celebration of National Cappuccino Day.  November 8th is the date that we honour undeniable classic and darling of the espresso world.  It is the beverage that elevates my mornings; sipping and savouring espresso that is softened by steamed milk and rendered voluptuous with foam. Cappuccino was created in Italy in […]

The Way to My Heart is Through the Stomatico

My parents recently returned from a stay in the Bel Paese, specifically Calabria. This southern region from which they hail is known for certain specialties, the spreadable salumi known as nduja, smoky ricotta affumicata, citrus scented bergamotto, sticky sweet torrone and one of my absolute favourites, spicy stomatico. Stomatico (which strangely we call pan i […]