Travel

CRUISING THE BACARI, VENICE’S WINE BARS

January 13, 2011
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The wines bacari dispense by the glass are of the kind Italy excels in making: very young, light-bodied, exuberantly grapey, inexpensive and deliciously gulpable. Many are produced in the Veneto itself, including the most popular white, the fresh, soft, and gently sparkling Prosecco, and the most popular red, Merlot, produced in a simple, tenderly fruity style.

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Sautéed Mixed Greens

November 29, 2010
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Usually prepared and served out of a small shack that may have a few plastic tables, piadina is a flat bread that is chewy but tender. Until not very long ago it used to be the everyday bread of Romagna. It is baked to order on a griddle (traditionally made of terracotta) and served with a variety of salumi, cured meats, and cheeses. One of our favorite toppings is sautéed mixed greens using a combination of mild and slightly bitter greens. It is both savory and soothing. Even without piadina, it is a side dish Giuliano often enjoys making. Made with Savoy cabbage, Swiss chard, and broccoli rabe, it appeared most recently on our Thanksgiving table.

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The Rialto Market in Venice Italy

October 28, 2010
Rialto Market in Venice Italy

The world has many magnificent markets, of which I have seen a good number, but it has none like Rialto. Its stalls are lined up behind an embankment along a curve of the Grand Canal, displaying their contents in the open air.

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Fried Bay Scallop Recipe

October 4, 2010
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The children fed the donkey, played archery, and biked around the neighborhood without need for supervision. I don’t think I saw a Nintendo or electronic gadget from either the kids or parents for the whole weekend. It was a perfect, relaxing, getaway.

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THE FLAVOR OF SARDINIA

September 17, 2010

We had our first taste of Sardinia some years ago at the Rialto food market in Venice, and it had the quality of revelation. Daniela, whose vegetable stall is our favorite, offered each of us a small, round, deep red tomato, about 1½ inches in diameter, its top dimpled and marked by splotches of vivid malachite green. “These are from Sardinia” she said. “Pop one into your mouth as though it were a cherry.”

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A Cruising Cooking Class Adventure in the Baltic

September 17, 2010
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During the cruise, Giuliano and I will teach you how to make fabulous fresh cuisine so that when you return home you can delight your friends, not only with your beautiful photos but also with delicious food!

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How to learn to cook Italian

August 22, 2010

I would start with an introductory course on the spot. My son gives some in the wine country above Verona, see his website. I would then rent a small place in two or three cities and towns, for a few days each. Choose places with great markets such as Venice and Rome, get to know [...]

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Decadent Dark Chocolate Gelato

July 13, 2010
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The intense velvety texture of this gelato evokes reminiscences of Venice. You will likely have no leftovers, only a lovely magical memory, much like a visit to Venice herself.

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