It’s radicchio season. If you’ve only ever eaten it in salads, it’s time to expand your horizons. Story and recipes here.
Feb 232016
Feb 142016
What better to tell you about on Valentines Day than olive oil, dear reader? Oils from the new olive harvest hit the markets in the States at this time of year, but you’ll need some savvy to know the real thing from the fakes. Don’t miss my tips for knowing the difference, here…
Jan 112016
Here’s the story…
Dec 202015
For story and recipe, continue reading here.
Nov 292015
No story with this post, just a picture. My talented husband, Nathan Hoyt, took this shot recently at the Rockland Farm Alliance CSA barn at the old Cropsey Farm in New City, New York. It looks like a painting. Isn’t it beautiful?
Nov 032015
It was this time of year in 2000 when Italian photographer Paolo Destefanis set out with my manuscript in hand to shoot images for Veneto: Authentic Recipes From Venice and the Italian Northeast, a title I wrote for Chronicle Books. I had gone with him earlier in the year to capture the magic of the Venice and its waterways in springtime and to explore locations in some of the mainland provinces. But I missed the second trip the following fall, and had to satisfy myself with being there vicariously through the vivid photographs he took. While I love the fieldwork, research, and recipe testing that is […more…]
Oct 112015
If you think you have a good pasta and broccoli recipe, this one‘s better— the story’s a bonus…
Oct 092015
If you are in or near New York City, or if you plan to go, you just might want to find your way to the Leopard des Artistes. The frolicking nymphs painted on the walls of the old legendary Cafe des Artistes are still there, but the new restaurant is Italian, with a Michelin star Umbrian chef at the helm. Story here.
Jul 232015
How to dine in Venice, a fishy tale…
Jul 212015
I’ve been on my soapbox for years about the fakery of too many products being passed off as Italian when, in fact, they are not. Wisconsin “Parmesan” isn’t parmigiano-reggiano, the true Parma cheese crafted with 800 years of knowhow and tradition behind it. Canned tomatoes are brazenly branded “San Marzano” when they have never been kissed by the Italian sun. It’s the age-old problem of profiteers making off with Italy’s good name — and benefiting from its cachet. No more. Italy has a plan. It’s called the “Made in Italy” campaign and it aims to educate, promote, and protect the genius and high quality of Italian artisanal products abroad. Carlo Calenda, Italy’s […more…]