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 […]
Shaping up in the Kitchen with Gordon Ramsay
Fall to me has always felt a bit like starting a new year; the return to a daily routine after summer vacation and usually the beginning of a new regimen. For me the turning of a new leaf includes adopting a healthier lifestyle and making better food choices for me and my family. My autumnal […]
I Love this Dessert S’more and S’more
I am not an avid camper, in fact, there are only few things about this recreational activity that appeal to me. The first is enjoying time in the outdoors (but I prefer being able to sleep in the comfort of a bed and having indoor plumbing); the second, cooking over an open flame (but then […]
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 […]
Saint Anthony Celebratory Sangria
**Photography by Vito Bruno June 13th is the feast day of Saint Anthony, patron of lost things. While almost every day of the calendar year is dedicated to a particular saint, Anthony is one I revere for several reasons. First, as already mentioned, he is invoked for finding things lost or stolen which I can […]
Anthony Bourdain: This Loss is Tough to Swallow
**Image from bonapetite.com “I urge you travel as far and widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and cook. Learn from them wherever you go” – Anthony Bourdain Friday, June 8, 2018, 7:28am pulling into work I hear the devastating news that Anthony Bourdain is dead […]
Confetti: Symbolic Sugared Almonds
This past weekend, like many, I was glued to my television to take in the royal nuptials of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This real-life fairytale wedding captured my attention from the moment the engagement was announced. As a hopeless romantic (and a huge fan of this particular member of the royal family) I relished […]
Carbonara: A Pasta that’s all it’s Cracked up to Be
Never mind cracking a few eggs to make an omelet, I’d paraphrase the old proverb, to say “you’ve got to crack a few eggs to make a carbonara”. Eggs, cheese (Parmigiano or Pecorino Romano specifically), guanciale or pancetta and black pepper are the simple ingredients that make up one of the greatest spaghetti dishes in […]
I Get by with a Little Help from My Friends: Shortcut Hand Pies
Just like John, Paul, Ringo and George turned to their friends for help, so do I from time-to-time in kitchen. While I love making things from scratch and have spent countless hours in the kitchen doing just that, I don’t always have the luxury of time and do take shortcuts in cooking and baking. As […]