What the Death of Gourmet Magazine Means to Home Cooks

Last week, after 68 years of publishing, it was annouced that Gourmet would be closing its doors as a result of lost advertising sales during the economic downturn. Gourmet magazine will cease publication after...

From Cape Cod bog’s – Cranberry Walnut Bread

I spent my summers on Cape Cod and picked cranberries from a bog just behind our house. I've always loved watching the colorful cranberry harvest.  The cranberries float to the top of the bog as it is filled...

Apples, Apples, Apples and homemade Apple pie

The early settlers brought Apple seeds to Massachusetts from Europe. A farmer named John Chapman, from Leominster Massachusetts was known as “Johnny Appleseed”. He distributed apple seeds all over North America...

What to do with artichokes – Stuff them

Artichokes are one of my favorite vegetables. I have many recipes that we enjoy as a main course or as a side dish.  One of my favorite is to stuff them. The recipe below is one made by my grandmother who came...

Zuccotto - a cake for all occasions

Pane di Spagna is a light sponge cake found in most markets in Italy. It is often layered with mascarpone, pastry cream, fruit etc. Biscotti are also often layered in the same manner. These are common everyday...

Pasta with Ricotta, Zucchini, Eggplant & Scampi

The myth that in Italy cheese and fish are never prepared together is exactly that, a myth. Italy produces cheese such as ricotta, mascarpone and mozzarella di bufala, which are very light in flavor and are easily...

My Blueberry Pie Story and recipe

During WWII while my father was fighting in Europe my mother supported us by working at Table Talk Pies Inc. Located in Worcester Massachusetts, it was established in 1924. Like many other business of that time,...

Alsace, France; The Land of Castles and Half-Timbered Houses

It almost seems like a computer special effects studio created the make-believe villages for a movie. Narrow cobbled stone streets with neatly situated half-timbered houses form little villages in the middle of...

Canal de Bourgogne: A slow easy cruise

The Burgundy is well known for its gastronomy, history and excellent wines. It is old France - a land of culture with historic castles, Roman roads and magnificent Romanesque churches. As you slowly cruise along...

Agriturismo in Italy: Agricultural tourism?

What is Agriturismo?  It is an Italian term for a farm holiday or agricultural tourism, but mainly it’s a concept.The idea is to better comprehend the farmers' life and rural traditions. It is taking in...

Verona Italy: Summer Opera Festival

If you are not an Opera fan and have never been to the opera, discover the passion, drama and atmosphere of the Opera Festival in Verona Italy. The performances are held in the 2000 year old Arena di Verona,...

Egg Taralli – A biscotti that floats on air

Traditional Italian food of Easter typically includes: capretto o agnello al forno (roast lamb), cacioffi fritti (fried artichokes), pizza rustica (a pie stuffed with ricotta, sausage and hard boiled eggs), la...

Romantic small hotels: The Lake Region, Northern Italy

I search for the small hotels that are owner operated and the service is focus on your return. The place where you say, “I would come back”.  Where the chef comes to your table to make sure that everything is...

La Chitarra - An Old World Pasta Maker That Makes Music

La Chitarra (pronounced key-tahr-rah) is a pasta maker believed to have been invented in Chieti, Abruzzi Italy around the 1800’s.  No one seems to know who invented it and until recently pasta made with the...

Pucker up to Rhubarb

Our backyard was a small apple orchard in New England. Way back in the yard under some crab apples tree grew several large wild rhubarb plants completely untouched and uneaten by my family. We had no idea of what...