Blog Posts

Torta di Mele - Italian Apple Cake

10/14/2019

While growing up in Italy, we would often drive by a plot of land about 20 minutes from our home. "We used to own this land, " my mother would say, "and it had all kinds of trees: olive, chestnuts, apples, pears, plums, figs, so much fruit." She would reminisce over this land and the bounty it provided, and the recipes and dishes that came from so much "free" produce. While owning land does offer a "free" bounty, it's never without hard work.

Over time, that land was sold and it was never family-owned during the time I lived there. Eventually, we did own another plot of land, but the trees there were mostly olive trees. I have such fond memories of going there and picking olives, by hand. We'd bring a picnic basket full of salumi and crusty bread, some vino for the adults, and after a morning picking olives, we'd break for lunch. My sister and I would often complain, whine and moan pretty much the entire day other than lunchtime! The things we take for granted when we don't know any better!

It's uncertain if this recipe was born out of that original plot of land. My mom has been baking this apple cake "forever," and it's one of our family's fall favorite. We sometimes substitute the apples for bosc pears, but since we went apple-picking yesterday, we stuck to the original version. It's light, fragrant and the perfect match to a hot cup of coffee or tea.

The apple pieces should be fairly small for even baking.

Incorporate apples by hand, not the mixer.

I had some lovely sugar crystals I brought back from Italy, but you can add regular sanding sugar or some cinnamon mixed with the sugar.

Delicious and quick! This makes a great hostess gift now that the holidays are coming up!

Ingredients
Non-stick Cooking Spray
1 stick unsalted butter at room temperature
3/4 cups granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup milk (whole/2%/skim)
citrus zest (from 1 lemon or 1 orange)
2 1/4 cups all purpose flour - sifted
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 apples of your choice (gala, granny smith, red delicious)

Optional - the below are optional toppings to the cake:
1 - 2 tablespoons sanding sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon mixed with 1 - 2 tablespoons sanding sugar

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9-inch or 10-inch round pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray, or cover with a thin layer of butter and flour the pan. Set aside.
2. With the mixer on low-medium, start by beating the softened butter together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is well mixed and incorporated.
3. Add the eggs, one at a time, the milk and lemon or orange zest. Mix well after each addition.
4. With the mixer on low, add the sifted flour and baking powder. Also add the salt.
5. Peel the apples, cut them into very small cubes and add them to the mixture and incorporate them using a rubber spatula, not the mixer.
6. Arrange the cake batter in the prepared pan. Spreading evenly. Add the sugar crystals or some cinnamon sugar, if using. Bake in a preheated oven for 38 - 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out dry.
8. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely before removing from the pan. (If you serve the cake warm or hot, it will appear undercooked, so best to cool completely before serving.)

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Ready to make your 2020 Italian Travel Dreams come true? Consider joining us in one of our Culinary Adventures!

CHIANTI: MAY 1 - MAY 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
AMALFI: MAY 10 - 17, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
EMILIA ROMAGNA: MAY 19 - 26, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
SICILY: SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
CHRISTMAS in TUSCANY: DECEMBER 4 - 11, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!

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The Amazing Amalfi Coast

10/9/2019

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The colors of Amalfi are simply incomparable.

The SS 163 road in Italy is perhaps the most scenic, the most picturesque, the most dramatic, and certainly the most thrilling. SS 163 is also known as The Amalfi Drive. And it’s the road that connects all the towns on the Amalfi Coast.

Kissed by the sun and like a balcony overlooking the turquoise sea, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s top destinations, and for good reasons. Adored by the celebrities and commoners alike, the picture perfect destination boasts seas and mountains, delicious cuisine and scenes like none others, even for beautiful Italy.

Attracting artists from across the globe, the Amalfi Coast is easily Italy’s most scenic stretch of coastline and has been pulling in the creative types for centuries. A World Heritage Site since 1997, one look may make you believe that you have found heaven on earth. With some 5 million visitors annually, one look from above any of its many cliffs will easily stun even the most well-seasoned traveler.

If you're ever lost in Amalfi, just look for the Duomo of Sant' Andrea.

Thirteen coastal towns make up what is known as the Amalfi Coast, each with unique characteristics of their own. Positano and Amalfi are easily the most recognized, but don’t miss towns such as Ravello, Atrani and Minori.

The coast, of course, is no longer a hamlet of humble fishermen it once used to be. It is, however, still extraordinarily fascinating, especially in the eyes of those who visit for the first time. The most captivating feature, in fact, is its prevalent vertical development. The houses cling on to one another, almost clinging to the rock that slopes gently down the sea.

No caption needed, but one of the most recognized location in the world, Amalfi.

For fame and frequency, Positano is second only to Capri as far as visitors go. A major tourist destination, crowded during the summer months, any of the towns in the Amalfi Coast are best visited during spring and fall, when the coast demonstrates its best to all the visitors, minus the thousands of visitors flocking to it during the summer months.

Positano is famous all over the world for the handcrafted production of sandals and clothes, and walking through its narrow streets full of boutiques and shops is truly a gratifying experience. Shopping in Positano is a must-do activity. The many shops range from local crafts to luxury boutiques, all overlooking the waterfront, of course. Also worth visiting is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its dome soaring in the middle of the city.

The dome of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano will always guide you back, if lost on your way.

Amalfi shares with Positano the reputation of the most important place on the Coast. Which of the two is most beautiful remains to be decided. You can be the judge of that for yourself when you visit. A small town rich in history and art, it has long been dominated by the long staircase to the Cathedral of Sant’ Andrea. Also not to be missed is the paper museum. Among the other things to do in Amalfi, we recommend sampling the local specialty: the limoncello, produced with the lemons of the Coast.

Immediately after Amalfi, Ravello is the ideal destination for those who want some time away from the crowds. Located more than 300 meters above sea level and offering magnificent views, Ravello boasts a cooler climate that is certainly welcomed during sightseeing and walking. As for the things to see, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are a must. The first, hosts a series of high-level musical events, especially during the Ravello Festival. Villa Cimbrone, on the other hand, is now a 5-star hotel, with an extraordinary panoramic garden. Defined as one of the most beautiful and evocative place in the world, the gardens of Villa Cimbrone are a must-see stop. Open all year round, you can enjoy a breathtaking view across the entire coast. The “Terrace of the Infinite” describes this incomparable natural balcony, adorned with eighteenth-century marble, from which sky and sea are so vividly blue that it is not possible to distinguish them. Also worth a visit is the Cathedral, which dominates the square of the same name.

The best season to visit the Amalfi coast is definitely spring. The advantage of April, May and June is that the days get longer, the climate becomes milder, everything blooms, and perhaps most importantly, there is no heat and the crowds of summer.

Villa Cimbrone is beautifully adorned with statues throughout the garden.

Are you ready to experience Amalfi for yourself? We're going in May 2020 for a culinary & culture tour and want you to join us! See below link for tour info. Space is limited!

The scent of lemons in Amalfi can be spotted everywhere!

Images courtesy of iStock.

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Pumpkin Biscotti

10/2/2019

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I mean, how cute is my tray?!

Oh October.... The month in which my stand mixer comes out of hiding and back to its permanent location on my counter. I admit, it gets a few months' rest during the summer, mainly because I'm generally in Italy and frankly, I don't bake nearly as much in the summer. Summer is all about no-bake cheesecakes, nutella & mascarpone pie, semifreddi (a delicious concoction of frozen deliciousness) and puddings. But come October, and it's about the biscotti, the crostate and other cookies and cakes. Not to mention, it's time to start testing new holiday recipes!

And then there's pumpkin.... By late August, it's pumpkin lattes, pumpkin this, pumpkin that... But unless it's October, I'm not ready for pumpkin anything!

And just when I thought I couldn't tolerate one more pumpkin recipe, I get inspired to create pumpkin biscotti! They go great with a latte, are super easy to make and last at least a week in an airtight container, if you don't eat them all before, that is!

I started making these last year. I started playing with a traditional biscotti recipe, and this is the result. I recently served these after a cooking class and the students loved them. Try making them yourself and a super easy treat that goes so great with coffee and tea!

Just a few ingredients are needed!

How easy are these, mix everything in one bowl!

Pumpkin Biscotti

Ingredients
4 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature
2/3 cups sugar
1 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup canned pumpkin purée
2 cups all-purpose flour
coarse sugar for topping

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a bowl, beat the butter, sugar, spices, baking powder, and salt.
Add in the egg and pumpkin purée. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour and mix until combined.
Divide the dough in half. Place one half onto the baking sheet and shape it into a log. Repeat with second half of the dough. Pat them into long rectangles. If the dough is a little too sticky, add some flour to your hands.
Sprinkle the coarse sugar on top of both logs.
Bake the logs for 25 minutes. Remove baking sheet from the oven and let them cool for at least 5 minutes.
Place logs on clean cutting board and with a bread or serrated knife, cut into 1-inch biscotti. Repeat with second log. Arrange each biscotti on their sides.
Bake another 15 - 25 minutes, depending on how crunchy you like your biscotti. Remove from oven and place on a wire rack.

* You can add miniature chocolate chips, chopped nuts or raisins to this batter, but they're optional. As you can see, I added mini chocolate chips to mine!

Ready to go for their second bake!

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I'm back from Italy!

9/26/2019

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And just like that, after almost 7 weeks, I am officially back to Boston from Italy!

As always, returning from Italy, especially after almost two months, takes some readjusting. Today, I had one of those "last week at this time" moments. You know the ones, when you come back from being away, you start thinking what you were doing "last week at this time." Please tell me I am not the only one that has these moments?

When I look back at my many pictures of this past summer, I am just so overjoyed, my heart is so full.

The trip started with some time in Calabria, my native region. While the first few weeks definitely included some beach time and some downtime, it didn't last long! Soon thereafter, I was planning for the Puglia and Sicily culinary & culture tours, and also researching, researching and researching some more for my new 2020 Calabria tour. I'm really happy to report that after years of trying to meet the right people, the right location, the right everything, the Calabria tour for September 2020 is coming along nicely. It takes a long time to make these decisions, to make sure I make the right partnerships, so I can offer a quality program. And I'm happy to report, that I have done just that for Calabria 2020.

But I'm getting ahead of myself! Let's talk about the recent tours: Puglia and Sicily!

After a full year of planning and organizing, the Puglia and Sicily trips took place the first two weeks in September. In Puglia, we stayed a few days in Lecce, where we got to know this city well by staying right in the city center and enjoying a guided tour, visiting Piazza Duomo, Piazza St. Oronzo, Porta Napoli and many more historical sites. The baroque art is overwhelming in Lecce, and we had to take it all in for a few days before moving on to our next destination. While in Puglia, we also visited the famous city of Alberobello, where we were welcomed inside a Trullo, the famous cone-shaped homes. An afternoon in Ostuni and Cisternino required a full battery on the camera as a picture moment was present at every turn! We also visited Gallipoli and Galatina, and were delighted to try a delicious pasticciotto at Pasticceria Ascalone, the very bakery where these delicious treats were created. They were still warm while we ate them!

We toured Otranto, Martina Franca and the stunning Polignano a Mare. We sang "Volare" in front of the Domenico Modugno statue, this iconic singer is one of Polignano a Mare's most famous former resident. And perhaps everyone's favorite activity was cooking with local mamas during our hands-on cooking class. We drank wine in local bistros and learned all about olive oil in a century old agriturismo.

And just like that, our week in the heel of Italy was over. Eleven people joined me in Puglia and I cannot begin to thank them all enough for allowing me to share with them my Italy, my native land. I will treasure each of them dearly for life.

See below slide show of our week in Puglia.

Immediately after Puglia, I moved on to Sicily.

From Catania airport, I traveled further south to Ortigia, the city-center for Syracuse. Ortigia is a tiny island and it was our home base for the week. Unlike Puglia, where I met 11 wonderful strangers, I knew just about everyone on this tour from either past trips, cooking classes or having met at one of my cookbook signings, so I must say, it was like reuniting with friends for the week.

The week started by visiting the beautifully colorful Ortigia market. This is one of my favorite markets in Italy and it's a daily show for the locals. The stalls display beautiful produce, tempting dried fruits and nuts, and a large assortment of freshly caught seafood. Our chef-instructor introduced us to various products before taking us to her kitchen for our cooking class! We prepared arancini, a very typical Sicilian treat, and sarde beccafico, another typical local dish of sardines stuffed with breadcrumbs, pine nuts and herbs. In the evening of our first full day, we enjoyed a tasty walking tour of Ortigia, sampling various seafood dishes, parmigiana, more arancini and ending it all with cannoli. A great first day indeed.

The rest of the week included day trips to Noto and Marzamemi. If you have ever been to either, you know well the beauty that is the Cathedral in Noto, among other wonderful churches in the area. After spending the morning and early afternoon in Noto, we visited Marzamemi. We enjoyed a delicious late lunch with a stunning view of the sea. We lingered for hours, drank wine under the sun and really enjoyed the breeze and each others company.

Later in the week we visited Gambino Winery, on the slopes of Mt. Etna. We graciously sampled their wines, ate their delicious treats and took in the beautiful scenery. It was here that one of our travelers became speechless. He had no words for what he was seeing and was having a "moment." The scenery was so beautiful, the weather perfect, the company from our group amazing. It also happens to me often that I become speechless while traveling with my groups. I am overcome with gratitude, and I think so was he. A long, multi-course lunch on the grounds of Parco Statella, a rural restaurant in Randazzo topped off an already perfect day. But we weren't done yet, later in the week, we visited the bustling city of Catania for a delicious walking tour of the market, and the next day, we went to Taormina for our 2nd hands on-cooking class and some shopping town in one of Sicily's most visited city.

See below slideshow of our week in Sicily!

Between my time spent in Calabria, for both research and vacation, and time spent on the tours, I was in Italy for about 7 weeks and it was honestly amazing being there during this time.

People often ask me if traveling to Italy gets tiring. Is it physically tiring? Sure, sometimes it is. I always say that one should be in moderate health and shape to truly enjoy traveling. But it never, never, gets mentally tiring. Even visiting cities multiple times, even when the experiences are repeats for me, it's never tiring. I ended up seeing Italy for the first time again with my travelers. I see things differently when I am traveling with someone who has never been to that location. It's like seeing Italy for the 1st time, even for me.

I hope you'll consider joining me in 2020 for some amazing Italian experiences. We're thinking of retuning to Sicily next year. We rarely repeat from year to year, but Sicily is so amazing, I want to return myself and want you to join me!

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Ready to make your 2020 Italian Travel Dreams come true? Consider joining us in one of our Culinary Adventures!

CHIANTI: MAY 1 - MAY 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
AMALFI: MAY 10 - 17, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
EMILIA ROMAGNA: MAY 19 - 26, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
SICILY: SEPTEMBER 1 - 8, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!
CHRISTMAS in TUSCANY: DECEMBER 4 - 11, 2020. Click here for all trip info on this great adventure!

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How to order gelato in Italy

8/18/2019

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Decisions, decisions....

How to order gelato in Italy??? Really?

Do we really need a blog post on how to order ice cream? How hard can it be?

First, let's not call gelato "ice cream." I don't care what the guidebook or translator says! And yes, we do need a post, and here's why.

Having a real gelato in Italy should be on everyone's must do list when traveling there. To go to Italy and not stop at a real authentic gelateria would be like going to Pisa and not seeing the leaning tower, or to Rome and not stopping at Trevi. It's practically unheard of and you would be doing yourself a disservice and severely missing out.

Perhaps my two faves: hazelnut and zuppa Inglese - Zuppa inglese is similar to eggnog, only not really, and way better!

First, let's identify the recommended location to purchase your gelato. You have the obvious, gelateria, the bar, the pasticceria and even the supermarket. The gelateria is the place to be, where they specialize in just gelato, where you will find the largest selection, the freshest flavors and the most qualified staff to scoop you the perfect gelato. Up next is the bar. Keep in mind that the "bar" in Italy isn't selling you beer and wine, but it's essentially a cafe. Their specialty is espresso, cappuccino and morning pastry. They all frequently sell gelato, especially in the summer months. Next is the pasticcerie. They specialize in pastries, such as rum babas, spogliatelle, paragine, and so much more. They are delicious and glorious, but they do not specialize in gelato. Like bars, they might sell some gelato in the summer, but it's not the first place to go if gelato is what you are after. Next is the supermarket. Picking up some gelato at the supermarket while doing your weekly shopping is a great option. Even the mass produced, packaged gelato is of great quality and far superior and tastier than what we know as ice cream here in the US.

So.... with that knowledge, I highly suggest going to a gelateria for your best gelato experience. Bars are a close second option, and I should emphasize that while their flavor selection is perhaps smaller, the quality is still great.

Just another day in front of Dondoli Gelateria in San Gimignano? Worth the wait? Let's go and you decide!

If you are going to go for the gelateria option, there are a few things to keep in mind.

If you are used to eating your food first, then paying for it, you're going to have to change that mentality for the gelateria. You actually pay first. For most shops, when you walk in, you will see a beautiful window displaying their goods. Tucked in some corner in the gelateria, or perhaps in full view, you will see a counter clerk sitting behind a cash register. (Yes, cashiers sit in Italy, but that's neither here nor there!) It is there that you go and pay for your treats. Tell him or her what you want and how many, pay accordingly and he/she will hand you a receipt. If you aren't sure yet what you want, it's perfectly acceptable to take a peak first, before making your way to pay.

Next up, take that receipt to the clerk behind the counter to be served. Keep in mind, gelaterie in the summer get very, very crowded and Italians don't like forming lines, for just about anything! Be respectable, but do let them know when you are next (if in fact, you are). Usually, waving your receipt to the clerk will get their attention.

All that untouched gelato waiting for you!

Next decision to make? Your vessel of choice to carry your gelato. Will it be a cup, cone or panino?

Cup requires little explanation, it's just that. Great for kids to eat while in a stroller, and an equally great option if you are a whipped cream person. Speaking from just what I have seen in Italy, I do believe this to be the least used option, this is just from what I have seen, I don't have real statistics here!

Next up is the cone. Most popular cones in Italy are the sugar ones. Pointy and crisp, they are more widely used than what we know as cake cones here in the states. Some gelaterie make their own, most do not, but you will know if yours is freshly made! It's delicious and a treat in itself, not just as an option to carry your gelato. A larger waffle cone is also available. A fresh cone almost tastes like a vanilla pizzelle.

But my preferred option, the most caloric option, the one that will replace a full meal, is a panino al gelato. It's exactly as it sounds. A freshly made (sometimes it's still warm when served!) butter brioche bun, cut in half and filled with gelato, topped with freshly made whipped cream. It's literally, heaven on a plate. If the bun is warm, it slightly melts the gelato a bit, soaking in all the deliciousness. It's a messy, over the top treat that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Or once a day while on vacation. You're going to want to sit down for this one.

Selfie time with our gelato in Rome!

Once you have decided on your vessel of choice and paid for it, it's time for the most important decision: flavors. Every gelateria will have the staple flavors: coffee, hazelnut, chocolate chip, chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, pistachio, lemon and the like. If in season, many will have other flavors such as fig, cantaloupe or other seasonal fruit. If you can't tell the flavor by looking at them, don't worry, name cards are placed near by, and many are also in English. If in doubt, feel free to point to one and ask: "Che gusto e'?" Meaning, what flavor is that? It's ok to ask for a sample, if it's not crowded, even two. But don't push it, you will not be favored much by the staff if you start asking to try all 30 + flavors!

When combining your flavors, keep in mind how they will compliment each other. For example, some of my favorites include hazelnut, coffee, pistachio, lemon, banana, peach and coffee. You can see how some of these will match well, while others do not. For example: lemon and coffee? No thanks! Lemon and peach? Perfectly refreshing! Hazelnut and pistachio are also a great combo. I try to limit my selection to two flavors. I am always tempted to go for three, but find that that can be over the top, even for me. And whipped cream? Always! After all, gelato is made with much less fat than US ice creams, so I am saving on calories there, load me up on the whipped cream!

Having a gelato in Italy is an authentic of an experience as anything. A delicious gelato in a great gelateria in a world-class city such as Rome or Florence (or anywhere in Italy for that matter) might end up being one of your favorite memories of the trip!

As for me: Io prendo una brioche al gelato, nocciola e pistaccio, con panna! ;)

This is a brioche al gelato. A southern Italian favorite.

Key vocabulary for your visit:
gusti - flavors
sorbetto - sorbet or sherbet
cono - cone
copetta - cup
panna - whipped cream
piccolo - small
medio - medium
grande - large
crema - cream (similar to US's version of vanilla)
stracciatella - chocolate chip
nocciola - hazelnut
cafe - espresso
cioccolato - chocolate
fragola - strawberry

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So What's a Culinary Adventure Anyway?

7/25/2019

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It recently occurred to me that all this time in my business, I may have taken for granted that everyone knew what a “culinary adventure” is. In hindsight, I realize that it’s not a term used in everyday vocabulary, so how can I expect everyone to know? Culinary means many things to many people, and the term “adventure” alone may conjure up images of swinging on a rope or riding an elephant! Neither of which we do while in Italy! So here I wanted to detail what I mean by the term “culinary adventure” so that if you are considering joining us in2020, you know what to expect!

First, let’s identify what it’s not:

A culinary adventure is not a cooking vacation
There are some agencies that offer cooking vacations. Those are wonderful and certainly have their own value, but we are not a company in which you are expected to cook every meal. You are on vacation after all, so I don’t think you would want to spend all your time in the kitchen from the minute you get there to the minute you leave. We don’t have you do the dishes and you’re not chopping ingredients for a full week. Fun though it may be, we wouldn’t do that to you. You will not be spending an entire week behind the stove. Nope, not going to happen.

A culinary adventure is not a professional course
There are a number of schools in Italy that offer certificate courses in culinary arts. We are not one of them. After spending a week with us, you will have a much greater knowledge of Italian cuisine, Italian wines and the philosophy that Italians hold on food and wine. But this is not a professional course. You are not going to have the culinary skills to open a restaurant or a business after spending a week with us. You will however, have the knowledge to cook some new delicious meals for your friends and family.

A culinary adventure is not a history or art tour
For art and history lovers, Italy is a playground. There is so much to see and learn that one could easily spend an entire week just navigating the art in the Uffizi Gallery! If art and history are your main reason for your visit to Italy, we’re likely not the agency for you. Depending on the region we visit, we do at times include a culture activity, such as a museum visit, a guided city tour, or other educational component. That said, the main component of our adventure is the food & wine. As such, we offer educational opportunities as they relate to Italian cuisine, which are as interesting as the art and history, in our opinion.

A culinary adventure is not an “active” tour
Yes, you will be doing a good amount of walking, perhaps more so than you are used to on a daily basis when you are at home. However, we are not out to get you fit and reshape your body! We don’t bike from one destination to another, and you’re not logging in miles and miles of steps every day. There are a lot of tour companies that focus on activity (especially biking) and sightseeing along the way as participants bike from one city or region to another, but that is not the focus of what we do. We leisurely see Italy, we immerse ourselves with the locals, we don’t rush from one destination to the other and we’re not running around all day, every day.

A culinary adventure is not a retreat
The new (or somewhat new) fad in travel are women’s only retreats. As with the other types of vacations listed above, they have their own value and are wonderful opportunities for ladies to gather and grow in a supporting environment, but we’re not that type of vacation. And we don’t promise that you are going to have a breakthrough on our trips, other than perhaps recognizing the importance of real Parmigiano cheese! You’re not going to be transformed to a new person at the end, and we will not be journaling, or sitting under the full moon and share our thoughts and opinions, other than perhaps discussing the importance of good olive oil. And we happily welcome both genders, as you can see from the pictures below.

Well, what is it than?

A culinary adventure is a food & wine focused vacation
The main theme of our week is Italy’s food and wine. Is it worth traveling overseas “just” for the food and wine, you ask? This is Italy, the most admired cuisine in the word, so you bet it is! Italy’s cuisine is vast and varied and every single region has its own specialties, its own preferred ingredients and its own cooking philosophy. All of which you will learn during our week together. During the week, you can expect some cooking classes, winery visits, food tours, visits to factories and artisans, delicious restaurant meals, lots and lots of samples, delectable wine, gelato galore, and lots more culinary surprises along the way. (See slide show below of past adventures.)

A culinary adventure is a gathering of like-minded individuals
One thing all of my past travelers have had in common is the appreciation of good food, good wine and good company. You don’t join a culinary adventure because you’re always watching your every calorie, you are not a “big eater” and you don’t care about the types of food you eat. You join because you want to learn more about your favorite ingredients. Perhaps, like me, you have an honest appreciation (genuine love, really) for Prosciutto di Parma so you want to go to Parma and see how it’s made. Perhaps you want to enjoy a glass of Chianti, in well, Chianti, and you think a trip there is worth it. The shared love over quality ingredients is definitely a key component of our trips together.

A culinary adventure is a chance to improve your knowledge on quality ingredients
During the week with us, you will have the opportunity to be educated on your favorite ingredients. We visit Parma and learn all about the prosciutto curing process, we learn how buffalo mozzarella is made in Campania, and we visit olive oil mills and learn the process of making and tasting extra virgin olive oil. A culinary vacation is not just about visiting great restaurants, although that is part of it, but also about learning the process that it took to get these ingredients to your table.

A culinary adventure is a social week
Our public tours are limited to 12 participants. We do this because we believe small is better and we enjoy traveling like family rather than a large tour group requiring matching bandanas and a flag-waiving leader. I join all the tours personally, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. We get to know each other well, we share meals, laughter and stories, we learn together, we became lifelong friends. Now, don’t get me wrong, some alone time is built in so that you can spend it as you choose, visit what we don’t see as group and shop as you please, but if you prefer to do things independently, if you think you don’t get along well with people, if you have strong opinions that you just have to share with everyone and believe everyone should believe what you believe, we are definitely not the company for you.

A culinary adventure is an opportunity for bonding
If there was ever an opportunity to bond with someone you are already close to, it would be via travel, and a week together on a culinary adventure is the perfect venue to do. We have had couples join, sisters, sisters-in-law, neighbors, army buddies, we even had a doctor join with one of her patients! Breaking bread together creates memories, ignites friendships, creates stronger bonds, all while sharing authentic food and wine. When you think of it, the one thing we all have in common, every single one of us, is that we all eat! Right? I mean, if we share nothing else, it’s the need to eat to live, so that alone can be a source of connection. But if you are single and thinking that you must join with someone in order to maximize the experience, think again, we welcome all singles, and you will undoubtedly leave with many new friends.

So now that you know what a culinary adventure is, are you are to join? See what we’re offering in 2020 below. And be sure to click below to see some great pictures of past trips!

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Italian Tomato & Cucumber Salad

7/14/2019

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"What do you think of this picture?" I ask my mother as I lean over and show her the picture above.

"What about it?" She asks looking at it, not impressed in the least bit. So I ask her again. "What do you think? You think it's ok for the website?"

She's surprised. Shocked really. "Why would you put this up? It's so easy! People don't need a recipe for this!"

Oh the things we take for granted. This simple, delicious, refreshing salad is a staple in our house during the summer. We have it almost every night next to grilled meats or fish, or even just next to some salumi and mozzarella. My mother sometimes doesn't understand that others don't all eat like we do. There are some people, I tell her, who have never had this and will find it useful. (At least, I hope so!)

During the summer months, especially when we're in Italy, tomatoes are always plentiful. So much so, that we often make fresh tomato sauce out of them so they don't go to waste. Everyone grows tomatoes in Italy and so, when friends and family visit, it seems that the appropriate thing to bring us is tomatoes, which we really appreciate since we don't have our own garden to grow produce in Italy!

For this classic tomato and cucumber salad, you only need these two ingredients and a few seasonings. It's perfect next to some BBQ'ed meats or fish. Add some diced mozzarella and you have a full meal!

The below doses are strictly guidelines. As with any salad or even soups, you can adjust accordingly to family size and serving amounts.

A few ingredients are all you need for a delicious side salad. Ideal next to some BBQed chicken or fish.

Allow salted tomatoes to stand for a few minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients. This allows for the salt to release their juices, for a juicer salad.

Just a few ingredients to a delicious side dish!

Italian Cucumber & Tomato Salad

Ingredients
2 - 3 vine ripen or farm fresh tomatoes (it's important that the tomatoes are fresh and juice), diced
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
1 large English cucumber, peeled and diced or sliced
2 - 3 scallions or 1/2 red onion, diced
3 - 4 fresh basil leaves, torn to pieces
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon high-quality (ideally imported) dry oregano

Directions
1. Dice the tomatoes and add them to a bowl with the salt. Allow to stand for several minutes so the tomatoes release their juices. (You can skip this step if you are in a hurry.)
2. Add the diced cucumber, scallions, basil, oil and oregano and mix well. Allow to stand just a few minutes longer so flavors develop. Then serve!

*Variations:
To this salad you can add 1 - 2 cans of tuna packed in oil (reduce the amount of oil if adding the tuna with its oil), small mozzarella balls or crusty bread cubes.

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What Not to Order When Traveling to Italy

7/11/2019

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Photo credit to Rez-Art via iStock Images.

For many travelers, myself included, the highlight of a trip to Italy is often the cuisine. We daydream of the food we will eat, each season bringing with it its own bounty. Travelers, particularly first time visitors, should note that Italian cuisine is very regional and seasonal, so depending on the time of year of your trip and the region visiting, you’re likely to find very different dishes. The summer heat is soothed by a creamy gelato and dinners are on the lighter side. Autumn brings forth mushroom dishes, and fresh fava beans and peas will be served in the spring. As a native of Italy, I have had the pleasure of eating its cuisine throughout the year, and can attest that each season brings its own unique flavors.

However, there are many, many dishes in which over the years have somehow been mis-labeled as Italian. Now, I want to clarify, there is nothing essentially wrong with these dishes, in fact, I cook a few of them at home myself. The concern comes when these dishes are believed to be authentically Italian, and a visitor expects to find these on a menu there. The dishes below will not be on any menu in Rome or Florence, or anywhere else in Italy for that matter. And if you do happen to find them, you should know that it’s probably a restaurant trying to cater to its American clientele. Since you’re in Italy, I advice to stick to authenticity as much as possible, and avoid any restaurant that serves the below.

Nope - not going to find this in Italy... Photo credit to Rez-Art via iStock Images.

Spaghetti & Meatballs
Nothing says truly authentic Italian cuisine like a nice dish of spaghetti and meatballs....Actually, the opposite is true! If you're in Italy looking at the menu and trying to find your favorite home dish and can't find this classic, it's because this dish is almost never served in Italy. Yes, Italians eat spaghetti, yes, we make meatballs practically every Sunday. But never are the two eaten together. Usually, the pasta is served as a first course, and it's frequently a "short" pasta, like ziti or rigatoni. And after that, the meatballs may be served as a second course.

Fettuccini Alfredo
So, you're in the mood to use your fork twirling skills and you’re looking for a nice dish of Fettuccini Alfredo? Well, good luck with that as any waiter in Italy is not going to know what you’re talking about. While the origin of this dish is very much Italian, believed to have been created by restaurateur, Alfredo Lelio, for his wife who was suffering from pregnancy malaise, the original dish was just plain pasta with butter, which is the Italian equivalent of chicken soup, mostly eaten when someone is sick and can’t tolerate much else. Alfredo added this to his menu at the restaurant and that’s how “Fettuccini Alfredo” was born. No one calls it this in Italy, it’s simply pasta al burro. It was Americans that played on this dish by fatting it up with cream and other questionable ingredients.

Is that chicken, next to pasta? And do I spy garlic bread? This is definitely not an Italian restaurant! Photo credit to Rez-Art via iStock Images.

Chicken or veal parmigiana
If you’re looking for “parm” anything while in Italy, you will be served a delicious dish of eggplant parmigiana. A favorite of Southern Italy, eggplant parmigiana is prepared similarly to the Americanized chicken or veal version and prepared by cutting thin slices of eggplant, breading and frying them, then layered in tomato sauce and mozzarella and baking it to deliciousness. A delicious dish not to be missed, and also not to be confused with chicken.

Garlic Bread
The garlic bread found in the US is the bad replica of Italian bruschetta, an imposter. Italians frequently toast fresh homemade bread by the fire and rub a garlic glove and add a drizzle of olive oil. What you have here in the States is French bread cut in half and loaded with butter and dehydrated garlic bits. It’s just wrong. If you would like to try the Italian version, try some bruschetta instead.

This is wrong on so many levels, I don't even know where to begin. Photo credit to Debbi Smirnoff via iStock Images.

Italian Dressing
Recently, I was on the phone with my aunt, who lives in Italy but has spent a good amount of time in the US. I was preparing to visit her so I asked her if she wanted me to bring her anything from the States. She lowered her voice, almost in shame:“Can you bring me a bottle or two of that stuff you know I like?” “That stuff?” What she was referring to was Italian dressing. She had a taste of it here and fell for it. In Italy, salad dressing is EVOO and wine vinegar. There is no such thing as Italian dressing in Italy. And yes, I did travel from Boston to Italy carrying Italian dressing in my luggage. I’m not proud of it.

Caesar Salad
You’ve overdone it on the gelato and pasta dishes and are now craving a nice, reasonably light and healthy salad, so you go looking for a Caesar salad. You’ll have to wait until you head back to the States for this one, as you will not find one on the menus of restaurants in Italy. Created by Caesar Cardini, an Italian American living in Mexico, this was just a creation of using what he had on hand at the time. Opt instead for a Caprese salad and you will not be disappointed.

This is actually a good looking salad, if you ask me. You're just not going to get it in Italy. Photo credit to GMVozd via iStock Images.

Shrimp Scampi
The Italian word for shrimp is scampi, so if you ask for shrimp scampi in Italy, you’re essentially asking for “shrimp shrimp”. This dish is likely derivative of a Sicilian shellfish recipe that Italian Americans adapted over the years. While shrimp is served in Italy with lemon, garlic and olive oil, the version found in US restaurants has little resemblance to shrimp served in Italy.

Marinara Sauce
If you’ve overeaten and are looking for something on the lighter side and ask for a dish of pasta with marinara sauce and think you will be served some pasta with red sauce, you might be disappointed to see seafood on your plate. Marinara by definition means “from the sea”, so instead opt for some “spaghetti al sugo di pomodoro” essentially the same thing as what we've come to know as marinara in the US.

A delicious latte. Actually, this is a cappuccino in Italy. Photo credit to Peopleimages via iStock Images.

Latte
Head to the café in the morning and ask for a latte and you will be served a nice, tall glass of cold milk. The barista may also wonder where you're 2 year old is, only kids drink straight milk in Italy. Much like the marinara sauce above, this is just a problem with translation more so than the ordered item. Ask for a cappuccino instead and you will not be disappointed. It’s practically impossible to get a bad one in Italy. Just be sure you don’t ask for one past breakfast time, drinking one past morning hours is shunned upon Italy, practically a sin punishable by stares and a sure giveaway that you’re not a local.

As you can see, many so-called Italian restaurants in the US, particularly the chains who shall remain nameless, have ill-prepared travelers of what to expect from authentic Italian restaurants in Italy. The best advice I can give any traveler is go to Italy without any pre-conceived ideas of what you should or should not eat once there. Go by the menu and daily specials, ask the waitstaff what they recommend, and if you do some homework beforehand, you're surely in for a delicious, authentic meal.

And a final tip
Stay away from any restaurant that serves dinner before 8:00PM. Italians dine very late and any restaurant that starts serving dinner before that is likely catering to the tourists, its cuisine may not be up to Italian standards.

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A guide to Italian summer cocktails and spirits

7/9/2019

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Image by RossHelen via iStock.com

Oh summer, how we love thee. Particularly so if it’s spent in Italy! Italian summers are filled with sun, sand, sea, and of course, gelato!! Not to be outdone by any of these wonderful aspects of summer are the refreshing cocktails and spirits found all over Italy. And yes, you can find any of these during any time of year; yet they seem to go down that much smoother in the heat. And Italy is no stranger to delicious drinks! So, if you’re lucky enough to find yourself in Italy this summer, be sure to order one of the below, or perhaps, make it your goal to taste them all while there. You will not be disappointed, though you might be a bit tipsy.

Aperitivo
Aperitivi, or openers, are drinks typically enjoyed before dinner as they are considered to “open” your stomach or appetite and prepare you for the meal you’re about to enjoy.

Negroni: Believed to have been first mixed in Florence some 100 years ago, this is such a classic Italian drink that it should top your list of must-try. This bitter is an equal blend of Campari, gin and sweet Vermouth. A bit bitter for some and an acquired taste, it usually falls under a “love it” or “hate it” category but don’t let that discourage you, it should be tried by all, even if not repeated.

Image by MarianVejcik via iStock.com

Aperol: As the name implies, this is a favored pre-dinner opener in Italy. Lighter in color, bitterness and alcohol content than Campari, Aperol has a citrus flavor with bitter undertones and is best enjoyed as an aperitif with added club soda.

Image by Frantic00 via iStock.com

Bellini: This classic drink is a simple combination of white peach puree and sparkling wine. Made famous in Venice by a bartender working at Harry’s Bar, it’s still the favored drink of the Venetians as well as all the tourists making their way there over the summer months. It sounds plain and perhaps not too exciting, but it’s pure deliciousness in a glass. Sweet, fizzy and very summery, it’s surprisingly refreshing and the best alternative to the bitters above.

Image by bhofack2 via iStock.com

Prosecco: Made from prosecco grapes, prosecco is Italy’s version of the more expensive champagne. Made mostly in Northern Italy, in the Veneto region near Venice, it can be fizzy or flat and enjoyed straight or added to fruity drinks, like the above-mentioned Bellini.

Spritz: If the bitterness of the Negroni is too much, try the spritz, which is similar but lighter and made with Campari, Prosecco and club soda. This will give you a sense of the full, classic Negroni but the sweetness will make it easier to tolerate for some.

Image by Eva-Katalin via iStock.com

Digestivi
Digestives are used to aide in the digestion process, particularly after a large Italian meal. Drink the below if you’ve overdone it or if you simply want to end the meal like the locals do!

Limoncello: If you’ve overdone it at the dinner table and think you just can’t fit one more bite of food, reach over for a limoncello. This digestive drink comes from the island of Capri, not too surprising seeing the area is well known worldwide for their lemons, and is one of Italy’s most famous drinks. While favored year-round, consumption goes up during the summer months. If headed to a family meal or celebration, you will likely find this on the table afterwards. Someone will most likely protest, “Ho mangiato troppo! Ci facciamo un limoncello?” or “I ate way too much! Shall we have a limoncello?”

Image by Fotografie Mahieu via iStock.com

Fernet Branca: If you’ve really overdone it on the food, so much so that Limoncello will not cut it, head over for a shot of Fernet Branca. One of the most recognized drink it the category of bitters, Fernet Branca is a powerful drink, menthol in flavor and not for the weak of heart, or stomach. Heartburn is sure to follow!

Espresso Corretto: Typically enjoyed after dinner, (or delicious at any time of day, really!) a “corrected espresso” is a shot of espresso with some grappa, Sumbuca or anisette liquor added. Delicious with dessert and optimal for dunking a few crunchy anisette biscotti, this also makes a great base for dunking your ladyfingers when making Tiramisu at home.

Amaretto: Sweet, while still a little bit bitter, (the name amaretto means just that - a little bit bitter, from the Italian word amaro), this drink is almondy in flavor and delicious with a few cookies on the side, particularly crunchy biscotti. This post-dinner drink is delicious served simply over ice and also favored by many home bakers and used in baking extensively. Amaretto di Saronno is by far the most widely used brand in Italy and all easily recognize its distinctive square bottle.

Image by Natalilia Mysak via iStock.com

Frangelico: But, if like me, almond flavor isn’t your nut liquor of choice, order a Frangelico instead. Hazelnuts are used in this sweet drink, which is delicious served straight up, over ice, or better yet, over a bowl of hazelnut gelato. The shape of the bottle is also distinctive and created to look like a Franciscan Friar.

The above is just a partial list of cocktails and drinks to try while visiting Italy, so be sure to order a few during your stay.

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Artichokes & Sausage in White Wine

7/6/2019

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A few years ago, I discovered frozen artichoke hearts, and I can say, my cooking life has never been the same! I love these things and I'm always thinking of new ways to prepare them. I add them to soups, salads, sauces, pizza toppings and even coated in an egg batter and breaded and roasted. They are that delicious, and no clean up like the fresh ones!

I recently had an open bottle of white wine in the fridge for a few days and was feeling sorry for it. Nothing like wine going to waste!

I decided to make this stir-fry with it, combining my fave item, the artichokes. This dish is a wonderful side or makes great filling for a hot panino! I mean, who wouldn't love this for lunch!

A few basic ingredients are all you need for a delicious side dish!

I really ADORE these frozen artichoke hearts and can always come up with new ways to cook them. They are such a great ingredient to many dishes. They are also great roasted with diced potatoes, herbs and EVOO. I even make a sauce out of them. Just an item I really love. I don't like substituting the ones in vinegar, they have too many flavors in them. I like the frozen ones as they are plain and unflavored and I can add flavor as I like. Wegmen's has them, as does Trader Joe's, and some Wal-Mart stores. Whole Foods has them canned, unflavored. Rinse those and substitute if you cannot find the frozen ones.

Here they are, ready to go on the stove, just need to add the vino! How simple is this??

Cook for a minute or two, without the wine. The wine will be added shortly. I like to brown the sausage for a few minutes before adding the liquid. Alternatively, you could add it at any point.

Cooked and delicious, ready to be plated and served.

Artichoke and Sausage in White Wine

Ingredients

3 - 4 Italian sausages of your choice, diced into 5 - 6 pieces (I used mild turkey in my this dish, but you can use whatever you like)
3 - 4 Scallions (green onions) or 1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
2 - 3 Tablespoons chopped parsley
1 Teaspoon salt (more to taste)
4 Tablespoons olive oil
1 1/4 Cups dry white wine (divided)

Directions
1. In a medium saute or frying pan, add all the ingredeints except the wine.
2. With the heat set on medium, fry everything for several minutes, browining the sausage.
3. Add 1 cup of wine and continue cooking on low-medium heat until sausage is cooked fully, about 20 minutes. As it's cooking the wine will dry out, add the remaining 1/4 cup of wine. (If, during the cooking process, you drank the wine, add 1/4 cup of water instead!) ;)

Serve as a side dish or in a delicious, freshly baked sub roll and serve as a hot panino. Enjoy!