Parmesan is one of the most famous cheeses in the world and is an ubiquitous presence on the table of any Italian restaurant. What is less known is that anything labeled “Parmesan” is not in fact Parmesan. In fact the name “Parmesan” is no longer permitted to be used within the European Union. What was…
Need a gift idea for Father’s Day?
Wondering what to give your father for Father’s Day? The recipe below is great for small children (they are great at picking leaves) and adults alike to prepare, does not take much time and is a homemade gift from the heart that will remind him how loved he is each time he uses it. It…
3 tips to choosing the best gelateria (Italian ice cream shop)
A good gelateria is difficult to select if you do not know what to look for. Here are 3 tips to finding which gelateria the locals frequent in Italy. This is still valuable advice if you have gelaterias where you live outside Italy. Signs An artisan gelateria usually says “artiginale” which means “artisan”. It…
My favourite crowd-pleasing mid-week meal
I love watching my favourite television show, Inspector Montalbano (Il Commissario Montalbano), the best detective show since Columbo in my opinion. Set in Sicily, it has the perfect mix of intriguing dealings between typical small town characters, corrupt politicians, the mafia, human traffickers and the Catholic church. The show gives a good flavour of Sicilian life,…
What will the kitchen of the future look like?
We are buying a home. As I am obsessed with food and cooking, in my mind I have always been planning my dream kitchen. Every time we go to a friend’s house and I spy a faucet that can dispense boiling water or stay in a holiday rental which has kitchen appliances which roll out from…
The worst place in the world for a glutton to live
So let’s say by some miracle the doctor told me I had to gain weight, I would get on the first flight to Emilia-Romagna and embark on a gluttonous binge, eating to my heart’s content. Bologna is known as the “land of the fat and learned” referring to both the richness of the land and…
Top 11 cultural tips for travelling to Italy
1. Italians eat late and meal times are fixed. Times vary regionally so check with the restaurant beforehand. One of my favourite Italian traditions is the “aperitivo” where one meets friends for a light drink (usually a spritzer or glass of wine) and nibbles before (or sometimes instead of) dinner. 2. Shops close mid-day, often for…
Happy Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day (Festa della mamma) is quickly approaching in many parts of the world, including Italy on May 10th. This day is dedicated to the lady who survived many a sleepless night to care for you when sick, prioritised you before herself, always turned a sympathetic ear when life seemed bleak, cheered you on through every…
The surprising secret ingredient to making the perfect focaccia
I admit, I have been obsessing for years over perfecting my focaccia recipe. This is partially due to nostalgia for long days at the beach in Liguria and partially due to my 5 year old son’s love for all things Ligurian (which I view as a cosmic link to his Ligurian godmother). I was pretty happy…
Think you know Prosecco? Think again. Cellar Tour: Bisol
Sparkling wine enthusiasts may turn their noses up at the mention of Prosecco, the world’s leading sparkling wine in terms of volume sold (160 million bottles sold), but like many things in Italy, to every rule there is an exception. What is true is that the Prosecco region has grown at a disturbing pace…
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