Food and Wine Pairings
Valigini di Verza (Italian Mortadella and Beef Cabbage Rolls)
The husband and I always enjoy our time in the kitchen, but making these little cabbage rolls was super fun. I can’t wait to make them again! We got this recipe from a book we picked up in Bologna, Italy called “Lezioni di Cucina”. We did the hard part (translating), the fun and easy part … Continue reading
Italian Vernaccia: an under-the-radar summer white wine
When planning our three months in Italy, I obviously envisioned wine. Lots of it. Chiantis, Montepulciano d’Abruzzos, Brunellos…. red, red, red, earthy, Italian wine. Yum. Little did I know that I was in for a surprise: the Italian whites are what really surprised me. Grechetto, Frascati, Ribolla, Orvieto, Trebbiano… who knew that Italy had so … Continue reading
Classic food and wine pairings
PB & J, Sonny and Cher, Champagne and caviar, ice cream and hot fudge, melon and prosciutto… some things in life are just both meant to be PAIRS! To aid my readers with pairing foods and wines, I offer a list of more classic (and a few not-so-classic) food and wine pairings. Remember, pairing is … Continue reading
Simple Shrimp and Basil Pasta Recipe
I have a bit of an issue with some shrimp pastas that I see on menus: most are smothered in a cream sauce, and the combination of the rich shrimp, the pasta, and the heavy sauce is just too much for me. Luckily, there’s this simple and delicious shrimp pasta recipe that is light, full … Continue reading
Sedimentality’s 4th of July food and wine picks
Happy 4th of July! How great that the 4th is on a Monday this year: who doesn’t love a three-day weekend that ends with an incredible fireworks display? We’re in Bologna, Italy so we probably won’t have our fill our barbecues and light shows this year… but for those of you who are planning a … Continue reading
Fruity curry chicken salad
When the summer heat kicks in, I crave curry chicken salad. There are a ton of recipes out there, but many of them lack the fruity kick that I look for in this dish. I love the juicy fresh grapes, sweet raisins, and crunchy apples against the flavor of the curry powder, and the nuts … Continue reading
Bruschetta with Tomatoes Confit, Pesto and Mozzarella
Tomatoes, tomatoes, tomatoes! They are here, they are in season, and they deserve to be served in delicious dishes. I have a super simple recipe for bruschetta with tomatoes confit that is a perfect summer appetizer. Most bruschetta and crostini recipes use crusty grilled or baked bread, but the chewy texture of fresh focaccia actually … Continue reading
Winery Focus: Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano
Things often get lost in translation when traveling. So when my friend Brenda, owner of Bibenda wine bar in Assisi (and author of a great blog, Italian Winestyle) told me that we would be visiting a “garage winemaker” called Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano, I wondered the true meaning of the term. I thought perhaps … Continue reading
Luz’s “Easy-Pleasy Cheese Soufflé Empanadas”
An Argentinean classic with middle eastern roots. Foods you don’t want to miss whenever you are traveling in Argentina include asado, locro, mate and exquisite empanadas. Although the history of empanadas can be traced to middle eastern Iran, Argentina has adopted and adapted this classic filled pastry to make it its own since it colonization … Continue reading
Trofie with pesto, a Ligurian specialty
We have had a whole lot of pasta since coming to Italy, but none of these shapes are as fun as trofie, a pasta from Liguria. Trofie is a small, twisted pasta. The pasta is slightly thicker where the pasta is twisted, and the thicker part is a bit chewy and provides a lovely texture. … Continue reading