I find ‘white bean spread’ to be a spy-cover for what it really is: roasted garlic spread (at least—my version of it).
It is so common in trattorias and osterias all around Tuscany and greater Italy, to find a mix of bruschetta or crostini on the menu. In Tuscany we frequently run into these crostini toppers: [...]

And by wining I mean: chicken cooked in reduced red wine sauce, and by dining I mean: table worthy. By all means, make sure some of the wine makes it into a glass for you. Some for the skillet, some for me/you. Cooks deserve that.
And you know I love to add recipes to my default [...]

One of my culinary goals while living in Tuscany is to learn to make great focaccia.
I confess, I am more of a ‘cooker’ than a ‘baker’ and yeast doughs and breads are not a consuming part of my repertoire. But that doesn’t mean it is going to stay that way. I mean to learn the [...]

I could just call this ‘resolute salad,’ since it is my quick version of a New Year’s resolution. It is that time of year again to reverse the results of holiday eating and imbibing, to go lighter on the bread, cut down portion size and drink water like it is going out of style. But [...]

Actually, I prefer the Italian name: Pollo al Vin Cotto.
Mario Batali’s cookbook, Molto Italiano, has been the perfect resource for me while holed away in my little Florentine apartment. I am devouring all the Italian references and seasonal nuances, loving everything from the Italian subtitles to the descriptions of pasta and types of Italian flour [...]

It is almost too late to post about food gifts for this Christmas… except that you might want to give some last minute gifts to teachers, friends and hostesses—especially gifts that are unexpected and show how much you appreciate someone.
Many of these are so easy to put together, and if you are like me with [...]