A Homemade Holiday Gift Idea – from Morocco 1 cup light brown sugar 1/3 cup red wine vinegar 3 inch piece of fresh ginger, mashed 1/4 t cayenne 1/4 t ras al hanout (Moroccan spice blend) pinch of salt 3 lbs firm pears, peeled and diced In a nonreactive medium saucepan, combine …
Every holiday I brace myself for the restricted eater. How many will I have? What will be the diet d’jour this year? Guests not eating this or that can often be a drag for the holiday host. Is your dairy-free, egg-free, eggnog cup half full or half empty? Get over it. Take a deep breath and improvise. Vegans need love too. Make enough to share with the rest of the table or present your privileged guests with something real, thought out and special. In some countries, the guest is god. Treat all guests alike.
A few years ago, our friend Moya told us a story about her Tuscan mother-in-law, who used this phrase in a sentence when her husband told a bit of gossip. She would say, “Tiramisu le calze!! Well, pick up my stockings!” Tiramisu is a rich dessert, yet light as a feather. …
A splash of holiday color along the Lungarno. As the year comes to a close, like many of you I am full of gratitude. For love, health, safety (after miles of traveling), family and friends and the kindness from all those who keep these programs afloat. To quote poet David …
Croquetas de Boniato (A great alternative to Thanksgiving sweet potato pie!) 3 cups sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed) 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup sugar 3 eggs (beaten for egg wash) 1 1/2 cups crushed almonds oil for frying Heat …
Peggy Markel’s Culinary Adventures is going into its 19th year! In that time, at least 300 litres of extra virgin olive oil have been produced from the one tree that a circle of us stood around to commemorate our first trip in 1992. That’s a huge harvest from one tree over …
Looking for a simple cake for Thanksgiving or something to please a no-gluten glutton? Here is a recipe from the Spanish trio of Kim Schiffer, Ashley Mulligan in Mallorca and myself from the last program in Spain that we did together. Be sure to check it out for next year!
I just received a beautiful letter from my friend Raffaella Antoniazzi in Florence. It was written in Italian and I have translated it. Oh how I wish I could send it in Italian, as it is written so sweetly.’La tacchina, deve essere una femmina perche la carne e piu morbida…..’”il …
I was not surprised when Ms. Kinney told me she wanted to bring her husband, Bob, of 30 years along on her trip to Morocco.