Showing posts filed under: Special People Clear

Chef Fabio Picchi

Saporito. That’s how we could describe Tuscan food. It’s full of delicious salt, black pepper and red onion spiciness. Think Porchetta: A deboned pig, filled with herbs, salt and garlic, a condiment affectionately known as “sale aromatico” The roasted pork with herbs is sliced and put between two pieces of …

Chittoor Kottaram ~ A Noble Retreat

A Maharani Tomberati Indian princess, I have never been, but never say never, as I lean against the strong balcony of the 400 year old mahogany summer home of a Maharaja- the place to myself. Four people sweetly look after me, while I try to look after a much neglected …

Recipe: Peachy Peach Cocktail

When I was young, my favorite thing to do in summer was to make homemade peach ice cream. I would turn cartwheels all the way over to Gladys’s house, two houses down past all the hydrangeas to watch her make the custard with fresh cream and bits of peach.

Cibreo Vivaio, or Florentine musings

Fabio Picchi of Cibreo fame, has realized yet another dream ~ a small organic supermarcato + vivaio (nursery) on the terrazza next to mercato di Sant’Ambrogio. Love at first sight to see an unbelievable variety of fruits all named and spread artfully on the table. I wanted to pull up a chaise and lounge, paint or just study. Plants and seeds are available.

Dear Aunt Sarah

Ida Sarah Burroughs 10/30/1914 – 11/15/2016 This picture brings tears to my eyes, even though it was taken 4 years ago, I call this picture dried apple Sarah. Sarah lived four more years after this shot and lived to be 102. Not unwell. Never unwell. None of us can remember a …

For the love of real chocolate…

This is an empty bench where Franco Ruta used to sit outside of Antica Dolceria Bonajuto with his stubby Toscano. His presence is sorely missing in Modica. @bonajuto is the oldest Dolceria in Sicily, famous for its delectable chocolate since 1880. Franco brought the attention to this small Baroque town …

Tasting Rome with Frasca Food & Wine and Katie Parla

Our artichokes are a bit nouveau compared to the globes of Rome, but tasty. And the suppli, a fried rice croquette with warm melted pecorino and mozzarella that strings ‘al telefono’ when you bite into it, brought up memories of standing on a street corner across from the Spanish Steps, licking my lips.