Tastes
Taste is defined as the sense by which the flavor or savor of things is perceived when they are brought into contact with the tongue. For me however, taste is that indelible sense that can travel through time, recalling edible memories. That first sweet bite of birthday cake, the fermented bubbles of a celebratory toast with champagne, the ripe juiciness of tropical fruit on an unforgettable beach vacation, the salty bite of a panino filled with prosciutto overlooking an Italian piazza; the list goes on and on. These tastes are the ones that I’ve transcribed and shared as recipes.
Amatriciana Casa Mia
This year, on March 6th, we will celebrate the inaugural, International Amatriciana Day. Launched by the Association of Restaurateurs and Hoteliers of Amatrice (ARAM), the
Torta Bertolina: A Seasonal Sweet That’s Just Grape!
In late summer, dark burgundy bunches of Concord grapes are prevalent in the bounty of many Italian gardens and the produce shelves of markets. This
The Great (E)scape
You may have noticed curly green stalks at your local famer’s market in recent weeks. These seasonal stalks that resemble green beans or oversized chives,
Anginetti: You’ll Be in Knots over these Cookies
Apart from the obvious lemonade, when life hands me lemons, I make cookies. To be specific, I make anginetti, tart little twists that tend to
Recipe for Love
There is an old adage that states “the way to a person’s heart is through the stomach”. Whoever coined this phrase obviously knew the direct
The Ruling on Spaghetti alla Corte D’Assise, Delicious!
What’s saucy, spicy and Calabrese in origin? No, it’s not me (insert chuckle here), but rather one of my favorite pasta dishes, Spaghetti alla Corte
Tales
Every taste has a tale, every ingredient a story. Pasta Carbonara’s origins provoke speculation and debate, Tiramisu has a sultry past, and Parmigiano and Prosciutto have been engrossed in fraud and scandal. Nonna’s anecdotes filled with old world wisdom and all the delectable learnings from tradition, accounts from adventures both local and global. These are the tales that I enjoy sharing, the memories I take joy in recreating, the questions I research for answering. These are the fables behind the focaccia, the ones that educate and often resonate.
Moka Day: Brewing Up the Perfect Holiday
April 21st, 2026, World Day of Creativity and Innovation, and the inaugural Moka Day (which will quite possibly be my new favourite day of the
Ah, che bellu ‘ccafè: Caffe Napoletano
Ah, che bellu ‘ccafè sulo a Napule ‘o sanno fa’ translation: Ah, what a beautiful coffee, that only in Naples they know how to make;
Sant’Agata: Staying A Breast on Celebration
February 5th is the feast day of Sant’Agata (Agatha) one of the most highly venerated virgin martyrs of Christian antiquity. I learned of Sant’Agata just
Pasta e Fagioli: Comfort the Italian Way
“When the stars make you drool just like a pasta fazool, That’s amore”. When it comes to the love of food, Dean Martin had it
Tomato Day: Sauce to Signal Summer’s End
The month of September is nearly upon us, and aside from the flip of the calendar page, there are also other indicators signaling summer’s end.
A (Rose)mary by any Other Name
For many, spring signifies seeding the garden for growth. In the garden of an Italian Canadian, what you will most often see sprouting from the
I'd much rather eat pasta and drink wine than be a size 0
Ciao...
Ciao, my name is Jenny Arena; a Nutella loving, song singing, food geek, that not only lives to prepare food but loves to delve into its history and origins. I journal the stories and traditions of treasured recipes while also developing a few of my own.
I was born Canadian but am Italian at heart. I am the daughter of Southern Italian immigrants who instilled in me at a young age, my appreciation of food; particularly that of the humble Calabrian kitchen, the kitchen where friends and family would gather around a table to break bread, sip wine, and enjoy each other’s company.
My love affair with food began as a child and has grown and matured with me into adulthood. My education began by observing my father in the kitchen; continued with watching cooking shows on PBS and later the Food Network, leafing through countless cookbooks and getting hands on through classes and workshops until finally graduating to preparing meals of my own.
As a mother, I now carry on with my children, what began alongside my father. I try to instill in them, the same adoration that I have for not only what is on my plate, but its journey in getting there. It is my hope that I can create for them, edible memories like the ones I hold dear.
While the cuisine of my parents’ homeland is the one that holds the fondest place in my heart, I have developed a passion for food that spans across the continents. Whether homemade or created by a famed chef, this foodie enjoys having her taste buds tickled by worldly delights and my aim is to share my tastes and tales from the soul with all of you.
Buon Appetito!
How It All Began
Food, by definition is any nourishing substance that is eaten, drunk, or otherwise taken into the body to sustain life, provide energy, and promote growth. From a matter-of-fact point of view, we physically cannot survive without it, however, its sustenance and growth (for me anyway), go beyond the mere scientific. Yes, food is nourishment for the body, but arguably also for the heart, mind, and soul.
Food truly has the power to stir up strong emotions, whether it is a warm bowl of comfort that takes the chill out of winter or a cooling colada on a hot summer day, a glass full of sparkle in celebration, a spoonful of decadence to spark romance or bread broken among friends who laugh and reminisce.
When I think back on the many wonderful moments that have become my tapestry of treasured memories, they are all woven together by a common thread, food. Behind every fond recollection of a family gathering, friendly chattering, worldly travel, or self-marvel, is food.
Food is as central to my memories as the hearth is to a home. The warmth of a flame kissing a culinary vessel is magical a tradition that goes back to the beginning of time. Cooking over the coals, the focacius as it was referred to by the ancient Romans is what gives way to the “Focaccia” part of my title. Focaccia derives from Roman “panis focacius,” meaning “hearth bread”; bread not only baked at the core of the home, but also a food at the core of many cultures. And while Italian cuisine (particularly Southern Italian), is at the heart of my memories, I have a passion for food that runs broad and deep.
I hope that in reading my food fables you will be informed and educated, but most of all, I hope they will conjure up fond thoughts and recapture places and faces in time for you as well.
Simple ingredients hallelujah
Hands connecting with ingredients hallelujah
Making food from scratch hallelujah
Cooking with love hallelujah
Connecting around the table hallelujah
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#hallelujah #foodisablessing #cookingwithlove #torontofoodblogger #2026foofables
I cannot espresso how exciting it is to be honouring what is perhaps my favourite kitchen appliance.
Today we celebrate the inaugural Moka day, rendering homage to the staple of Italian coffee culture invented by Alfonso Bialetti nearly a century ago.
You can read more about Moka Day and the history of the Bialetti maker in my latest blog post.
Happy Moka Day! #mokaday
@bialetti_italia @bialetti
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#mokaday #bialetti #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
I’m 10 days away from making my 51st trip around the sun and I couldn’t help but think back on this amazing milestone year.
I made the decision heading into 50 that I would own my golden age and live it fully because life has shown me that aging is one of the most profound gifts. With thanks I accepted the gift and owned it, celebrating it in ways both big and small. Traveling, praying, dancing, singing, eating, drinking and above all memory making with friends and loved ones. So as I prepare to leave this amazing year behind me and head into the next, I’d like to share words by someone named Janessa Docking that I came across recently online. They were posted with a caption that read “with every lap of the sun, this right here is my goal”. I’m making this my goal as well.
I don’t want to age gracefully.
I want to age gratefully.
Grateful for the lines that hold my deepest laughter. For the silver strands, woven with love and worry for the hearts I hold dear. For the sun-kissed skin and freckled nose-proof of days well spent under open skies. Grateful for the shifting perspective that comes with age, making life softer, sweeter and just a little wiser.
Another year older means another year lived. And with each passing year, the weight of that privilege feels more profound.
Aging gratefully.
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#goldenmilestone #aginggratefully #birthdayreflections #2026foodfables
This evening I’ll be attending a pjs and martini event and being in my loungewear naturally calls to mind breakfast. In light of this I thought I’d highlight my favourite breakfast/brunch food which coincidentally is also being celebrated today, eggs Benedict.
I will almost always order eggs Benny if I see them on a menu.
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#eggsbenedictday #eggsbenny #breakfast #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Today we celebrate the Giornata Mondiale del Made in Italy (world Made in Italy day), a date instituted to celebrate all the true Italian products and their manufacturers/producers.
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It is not by chance that this date falls on the birthdate of one of the forefathers of Italian invention and culture, Leonardo Da Vinci.
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Today, I acknowledge all the wonders of my magnificent culture in particular the food.
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#giornatamondialedelmadeinitaly #trueitaliantaste #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Il Giorno del Bacio-The Day of the Kiss, the perfect occasion to highlight the sweet sammies known as Baci di dama.
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These famed treats from Piemonte are cookie kisses made by sandwiching chocolate cream between biscuits made with hazelnuts or almonds.
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I put my own spin on these Lady Kisses by using amaretti cookies and a coconut, white chocolate mascarpone filling. A sweet smooch to commemorate this day. Muah 😘
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#giornodelbacio #bacididama #italiancookies #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
On national pretzel day I’m thinking back to enjoying Mickey shaped ones at Disney. One of the most magical snacks at Magic Kingdom.
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#nationalpretzelday #mickeypretzels #disneyeats #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Throwback to tastes from around the globe at Epcot during the International Flower & Garden Festival.
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#disneyears #epcotflowerandgardenfestival #willtravelforfood #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Going wayback to dinner @quericotapasbar in honour of National empanada day. These are a combination Colombian & Ecuadorian
Empanadas and are part of their delicious tapas menu.
Happy Empanada Day!
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#emapnadaday #empanadas #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Celebrating one of my favourite pasta dishes today, Carbonara. Conceived in 2017 by the Italian Food Union and International Pasta Organization, Carbonara Day is the celebration of one of the signature dishes of Roman cuisine.
You can read more about this Roman classic on my blog.
Happy Carbonara Day!
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#carbonaraday #pastacarbonara #cucinaromana #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
From my table to yours 💐wishing everyone a Happy Easter filled with blessings.
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#happyeaster #eastersunday #eastertable #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Rounding out the week of pescatarian plates with a classic fish fry or fritto misto, on this Good Friday. Nothing like a selection of seafood battered and fried to crisp, golden perfection.
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#pescatarianplate #frittomisto #fishfry #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Another pasta dish as today’s pescatarian plate. This time it’s lemon pepper spaghetti and shrimp, tossed in a lemon and herb sauce.
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#pescatarianplate #lemonspaghettiandshrimp #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Today’s pescatarian plate honours the new month and a vegetable now in season, April asparagus.
Pasta with clams and cherry tomatoes tossed with asparagus pesto.
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#pescatarianplate #asparagus #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Today’s pescatarian plate is a Niçoise style salad with seared tuna. Salade Niçoise is a classic French composed salad originating from Nice, featuring tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, Niçoise olives, anchovies or tuna, and olive oil, often served on a platter.
It is a hearty, yet refreshing, dish that frequently includes green beans, potatoes, and a Dijon vinaigrette.
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#pescatarianplate #saladenicoise #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
It’s Holy Week and in my family that means a majority of our meals this week will be meatless (we abstain from eating meat Wednesday to Friday). In light of this, I thought I’d share some pescatarian plates over the next few days for anyone who might need inspiration for Fish Friday.
First up, tuna tartare over diced avocado, topped with toasted sesame seeds and chopped seaweed. I served it with crostini, but it’s also fantastic rolled into seaweed sheets. The most important thing to remember with tartare is using sushi grade tuna when preparing it.
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#seafooddishes #tunatartare #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Flashback to last night and getting a taste of Southeast Asian-inspired street food with the refreshed identity @noodleboxcanada
I had the opportunity to sample a delicious array of customizable menu items, offering different flavour profiles, protein options and spice levels.
Thanks for having me Noodlebox. I look forward to slurping my way through more of your menu.
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#invited #noodlebox #southasianstreetfood #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Throwback to my tricolore cannoli on a crucial day for our national team. Forza Azzurri 🇮🇹
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#tbt #cannolitricolore #forzaazzurri #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
It’s international waffle day so I’m going wayback to our favourite mouse shaped ones enjoyed in the most magical place on Earth. I guess you could say we love Disney and our Mickey breakfasts a waffle lot!
Happy Waffle Day!
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#waffleday #mickeywaffles #disneyeats #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Cheers! It’s National Cocktail Day and I thought I’d celebrate with an espresso martini.
The cocktail is said to have been crafted by legendary bartender Dick Bradsell at Soho Brasserie in London, circa 1983; under the name “vodka espresso”. According to legend, Bradsell created the drink for a young model who requested something to “wake me up and mess me up”.
With the prevalence of vodka at the time, and the close proximity of the coffee machine to Bradsell’s bar station, the cocktail that would become known as the espresso martini was born.
Made with espresso, vodka, coffee liqueur (originally Tia Maria), sugar and simple syrup (not a traditional martini recipe at all) it adopted the martini moniker because it was served in a v-shaped cocktail glass and because of the marketing appeal of the name.
The drink itself is garnished with three singular coffee beans. This is the traditional appearance of the drink. The three coffee beans are meant to represent health, wealth and happiness; tradition passed down from some of Italy’s more famous drinks (think Sambuca).
Over the years the cocktail gained popularity with several contemporary and regional adaptations being made.
Cin Cin from me and my caffeinated cocktail!
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#nationalcocktailday #espressomartini #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfablea