Necci (chestnut crepes) – Toscana Print Prep time 2 mins Cook time 15 mins Total time 17 mins Necci are a traditional sweet from the mountain communities in the provinces of Pistoia, Garfagnana and Lunigiana. They have a sweet earthiness about them which marry perfectly with the honey drizzled over them. Creamy ricotta…
Arista: a great recipe for when you have all 4 seasons in one day
While the autumn can have amazingly sunny but slightly crisp days, sometimes there is a winter chill in the air one day and then summer sun and blue skies the next. Planning what to cook can inevitably lead to barbecues in the rain or the oven blaring when it its already a furnace indoors. Arista is a great…
A Gastronomic Tour of Tuscany and Umbria
Our little corner of Tuscany near Lucignano had many perfectly distanced options for morning jaunts with small children, ensuring sightseeing and meandering lunches at authentic local trattorias for the adults and gelato and short car journeys guaranteeing a timely return for nap time for the children. Having congratulated ourselves on a nice morning out, we…
Best Wine in the World? A Visit to Ornellaia
Ornellaia Cellar Visit Driving along the cypress tree-lined road towards Ornellaia, we passed winery after winery. With each one a gleeful sound would arise from my husband seated next to me in the car. We are in Bolgheri, a relatively new wine area in Tuscany previously known for potatoes, and a virtual Disneyland of favourite…
Tuscan Villa
Our Tuscan Summer Holiday We arrived at the large gate which opened onto a cypress tree-lined drive leading up to the vast 17th century villa. Set amongst a vineyard, an olive grove, and a small forest complete with pheasant, rabbits, and orange mushrooms seemingly from outer space, this was to be our home…