Passata di pomodoro is best described as tomato puree made by boiling tomatoes then passing them through a strainer that separates the skin from the pulp. The result is a thick, red liquid that is the base for tomato sauce….
Après-ski with Il Bombardino
Skiers out there, this drink is for you. Il Bombardino is an eggnog-like concoction from the Italian Alps.
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe
My exploration of Rome’s typical pasta dishes starts with the seemingly simple, yet incredibly delicious Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe. This traditional dish uses three simple ingredients Tonnarelli pasta (also known as spaghetti alla chitarra), grated cacio, and freshly ground black…
Aperitivo: La Bicicletta
Picture it: Italy. Small local bar. Late afternoon. Old men playing cards, discussing politics, and arguing over who-knows-what, all while sipping a ruby red Bicicletta. I won’t be going to Italy this summer, so I’ve been enjoying my aperitivo time…
Lessons in Roman Cooking
[From 2011 Rome Archives] – I was invited to take a cooking lesson at Trust.Ever.Tastes – located in the building in which i was living at the time. The small company is dedicated to teaching real Italian home cooking. The name Trust.Ever.Tastes…
Holiday Struffoli
Need an Italian dessert idea for Christmas dinner? Try the traditional struffoli – small balls of fried dough smothered in honey and dotted with colorful sprinkles. Fun Fact: The name struffoli is derived from the Greek word strongulos – meaning…
Cinecittá: Italy’s Hollywood
Escape into classic Italian cinema with a timeless tour of Cinecittá Studios. Built in the late 30’s, Cinecittá houses the sets and costumes for Italy’s classic and popular films and TV shows. Some of the world’s greatest films were created…
In Search of Death’s Cookie
November in Italy is known as il Mese dei Morti (The Month of the Dead) – not just to honor the dead, but to officially mark the true start of the autumn season. The gloomy month begins with a celebration…
Il Leone Stregato
The Witches of Benevento Benevento is a historical city located about 70km northeast of Naples, in Italy’s Campania region. Known for its Roman ruins, Catholic church, and my mother’s childhood home, the city is also remembered for its eerie legends…
Park of Monsters in the Sacred Woods
I once trekked (literally) to the medieval town of Bomarzo located near Viterbo, north of Rome; to visit the eerie Park of Monsters, also known as the Sacred Woods. As I mentioned, it was a damn trek and a half……
Restaurant: Locanda della Luna
Local Chef Honors Traditional Flavors Through Modern Cuisine [Autumn 2011] – Every time I find myself visiting friends and relatives in southern Italy (Campagna), it has become a tradition to enjoy a delicious meal at La Locanda della Luna in San Giorgio…
Maritozzo and the Modern Serenade
While living in Rome (back in 2011), I once went on a hunt for a special Roman sweet called maritozzi con panna. These sweet Roman sugar brioche buns are filled with whipped cream and served at breakfast – but I…
