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.
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
Befanini : The Final Sweep on the Christmas Season
“La Befana vien di notte, con le scarpe tutte rotte. Col vestito alla romana, Viva, Viva La Befana!” (“The Befana comes by night, with her
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.
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
Carciofi e Cavolfiori: Seasonal Sensations
Picture it, Campania, early spring, 2025. Citrus fruits are prevalent as are many late winter and early spring vegetables, such as artichokes and cauliflower, two
Cin Cin: The Art of the Brindisi
“In Italy, they add food and wine to life”. There is much truth to these words, as anyone who has visited the peninsula can attest.
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.
Throwing it back to enjoying granita al pistacchio in Catania last year, in honour of World Pistachio Day.
This was actually the sweet finish to an entire lunch that featured pistachios that I savoured in the Sicilian sun @pasticceriaspinella
Happy Pistachio Day!
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#tbt #worldpistachioday #sicilianpistachio #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Coining today, tuna tartare Tuesday as I think back to the one I enjoyed recently @vivopizzapasta
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#tunatartare #tuna #diningout #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
A twist on tuna today, sun-dried tomato and tuna dip. This dip has a surprising ingredient that lends to it flavour and creaminess, almonds.
I love to serve it with crostini as an appetizer but it also doubles as an incredible sandwich spread.
Here’s the recipe if you’d like to give it a go:
120gr can of tuna in water
5 sundried tomatoes
1/4 cup almonds
1 tsp black olive spread
1 tbs chopped parsley
2tbs EVOO (or the sun dried tomato oil)
Pulse all the ingredients in a food processor until you get a cream consistency and enjoy!
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#tunadip #tunarecipe #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
I guess you could say that my lunch today was fully loaded. Hummus topped with cucumber, red peppers, olives and feta enjoyed pita (not pictured).
Always love when I can dip into a crisp and colourful dish for sustenance.
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#hummus #loadedhummus #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
You’d butter believe I’m flippin’ over the fact that it’s Pancake Tuesday. Whether sweet or savoury, I’m looking forward to this day being stacked.
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Happy Pancake Tuesday!
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#pancaketuesday #pancakes #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Wishing everyone a Happy Family Day!
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#happyfamilyday #recipeforfamily #foodandfamily #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
❤️Celebrating the love of family ❤️
#valentinesweekend #foodandfamily #loveoffood #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Everything I do, is a love letter addressed to you.
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As a writer and a foodie who also happens to be a hopeless romantic, I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, than with edible love letters.
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Happy Heart Day!
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#valentinesday #loveletters #madewithlove #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Flashback to a celebration of food and friendship with one of my favorite galentines @justcrumbs
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We had a fun time putting our hearts into plates with a fun menu to fete the special females (pals/gals) in your lives. Visit the link in my profile to see all the love.
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#fbf #galentines❤️ #foodandfriends #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Having a little fun with the current Al trend and creating a caricature of myself; Italian, espresso drinking cook who loves music and travel.
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#trending #thisisme #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Most people’s Super Bowl spread consisted of pizza, wings and chips. Mine consisted of jumbo shrimp, thinly sliced potatoes and cherry tomatoes cooked to perfection “in cartoccio”. I’m so lucky to have foodie friends who spoil me with meals like these.
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#gamberiincartoccio #foodandfriends #dinnersbytony #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content. The Eataly Flow Pilates and brunch with friends this morning, was definitely a well spent Sunday morning.
@eatalytoronto
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#sundaybrunch #brunchitalianstyle #foodandfriends #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Il buongiorno si vede dal mattino was certainly the case celebrating World Nutella Day on the morning of February 5th @spaziocamera with @italchambers and @nutellaca
Not only did I get to enjoy the wonderful breakfast spread prepared by @lucianoschipano but I was also fortunate enough to go home with the stunning Nutella coffee table book recently launched by luxury brand @assouline
It was truly a good morning.
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#worldnutelladay #celebratingnutella #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
The response often illicited from the mention of Nutella, is a smile. We were all smiles last night enjoying our special World Nutella Day dinner. Guests enjoyed a Nutella martini as their welcome cocktail, followed by 4 courses featuring our favourite spread.
Appetizers: Nutella and goat cheese crostini, Nutella grilled cheese and prosciutto e melone
First course: fresh Nutella infused paccheri with caccio e pepe
Main: Nutella glazed chicken skewer and roasted vegetables
Dessert: Nutella and banana quesadillas with vanilla gelato
The part that made me happiest, getting to support a cause that is near and dear to me and working alongside one of my best friends @lucianoschipano
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this very memorable evening.
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#worldnutelladay #nutelladinner #nutellalove #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Tomorrow is the Feast Day of Sant’Agata (St. Agatha), patron of Catania as well as bakers and breast cancer patients. Learn more about this feast day and the sweets associated with it in my latest blog post (link in my bio).
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#festadisantagata #minnedisantagata #olivettedisantagata #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
It’s definitely a sweet start to the week and the month. The groundhog predicted an early spring and we’re only 3 days away from celebrating World Nutella Day!
I’m already kicking off the festivities with Nutella palmiers and can’t wait to indulge in a full Nutella menu on Thursday. Will you be joining the party?
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#worldnutelladay #nutellapalmiers #baker #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
“Though February is short, it is filled with lots of love and sweet surprises.”
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Hello February
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#hellofebruary❤️ #filledwithlove #cookingwithlove #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
One week from today all eyes will be on Italy for the Winter Olympics. I thought I’d countdown to Cortina with a few classics of the Cucina Milanese:
Risotto Milanese- a cream risotto infused with saffron, that gives it a distinctive yellow colour and rich flavour. It is often paired with ossobuco, a slow-braised, cross-cut veal shank with vegetables and white wine, famous for its flavorful bone marrow.
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Cotoletta alla Milanese- a tender veal cutlet, coated in breadcrumbs and fried in clarified butter. Traditionally bone-in, it is referred to as orecchia d’elefante (elephant ear) because of its size.
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Cassoeula- a robust winter stew made with various pork cuts and savoy cabbage, slow-cooked for deep flavor.
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Mondeghili- traditional meatballs made from leftover boiled beef, sausage, bread, and cheese, fried in butter.
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Michetta- the typical Milanese bread roll, characterized by its star shape, crispy crust, and hollow interior.
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Panettone- the iconic Milanese Christmas sweet bread, light and airy, filled with candied orange, citron, and raisins.
If you haven’t tried any of these dishes, now is the perfect time. They are all gold medal worthy in my opinion.
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#cortinaolympics2026 #cucinamilanes #piattitipiciregionali #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Is there anything more comforting on a cold day than pasta e fagioli?
Read more about this classic of the cucina povera in my latest blog post.
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#newblogpost #pastaefagioli #homechef #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables
Coffee, but make it Irish.
Sunnier thoughts on this snowy Sunday, in honour of National Irish Coffee Day.
I always make a stop at the Buena Vista for a boozy brew when I visit San Francisco.
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#nationalirishcoffeeday #buenavistacafe #torontofoodblogger #2026foodfables