Archive for 'Uncategorized'
Le Orecchiette Pugliesi Posted by Serena on Sep 12, 2012
Our guest-blogger Mattia, the ‘young Italian chef’, has sent us a nice article in which he describes how to make a traditional pasta from his native region of Puglia (if you find it hard to read you can have a break while you watch the video! See the link at the end of Mattia’s blog)…
Maremma Amara Posted by Serena on Sep 5, 2012
A few days ago Geoff wrote an article about the effects of this summer’s draught on Il Parco Naturale dell’Uccellina in Maremma, which reminded me of a folk song that I love. My professor of Topography at the University of Pisa used to sing it during our archaeological campaigns in Vada, near Livorno. Maremma is…
Insalata Russa Posted by Serena on Aug 24, 2012
Despite its name, l’insalata russa (Russian salad) is originally from Piemonte (Piedmont), a region in the north west of Italy, and, in fact, in France it’s known as "salade piemontaise". According to the Vocabolario della Lingua Italiana Treccani “Insalata russa è chiamata anche insalata italiana” (Russian salad is also called Italian salad). It seems that…
I Ladri di San Lorenzo Posted by Serena on Aug 10, 2012
When I was a teenager I lived in a small village called San Lorenzo a Vaccoli half way between Lucca and Pisa in Tuscany. The patron Saint of the village is, of course, San Lorenzo, who is celebrated on the 10th of August. Amongst the various celebrations that took place there was (and hopefully still…
Al Passo del Lagastrello Posted by Serena on Aug 5, 2012
Last Tuesday was my birthday, and I felt the desire to do something a little bit special, I wanted to go for a nice walk somewhere new. I chose the Passo del Lagastrello, one of several passes that cross the Appennino Tosco Emiliano. I’ve always liked the sound of that name, “Lagastrello”, it has a…
Pomodori al Gratin Posted by Serena on Jul 27, 2012
This is a simple summer recipe originally from the Romagna area, on the Adriatic coast. The two main ingredients are: tasty ripe tomatoes and dry breadcrumbs. I usually make my own breadcrumbs using the method that I learned from my parents (this is traditionally my father’s job). When I have some leftover bread, I cut…
“Ho Imparato A Sognare” di Fiorella Mannoia Posted by Serena on Jul 16, 2012
From cascatrice (stuntwoman) to renowned singer, Fiorella Mannoia has certainly ‘learnt how to dream’. Daughter of film stuntman Luigi Mannoia, Fiorella was born in Rome in 1954, and came to prominence as one of Italy’s great female vocalists in the 1980’s. You can find a full biography here: Fiorella Mannoia Biografia Here is one of…