Everybody Loves Tuscany

Guido Grasso – Dieting in an Italian household Dieting or even just cutting calories is hard enough, but when doing it in an Italian household, it can feel like deprivation. Here is a funny bit by Guido Grasso about this difficult task while dining with his Italian family at home. Guido Grasso – Dieting in […]

Homemade Italian Capocollo & Soppressata Capocollo (in the United States, cappicola, coppa in Canada, capicollo or capicolla), or coppa, is a traditional Italian pork cold cut(salume) made from the dry-cured muscle running from the neck to the 4th or 5th rib of the pork shoulder or neck. This cold cut is sometimes called coppa. The name capocollo comes from capo (“head”) and collo (“neck”) of a pig. It is a whole muscle salume, dry cured and, typically, […]

Making Capocollo in 5 minutes In its production, Capocollo is first lightly seasoned often with red and sometimes white wine, garlic, and a variety of herbs and spices that differ depending on region. The meat is then salted (and was traditionally massaged) and stuffed into a natural casing, and hung for up to six months […]

Italian Happy Hour Restaurants in Italy don’t open until about 7:30. There are no early bird specials. While you are waiting for dinner, try going to a place for an aperitivo if you are hungry. During this happy hour period, many places offer complimentary appetizers when you purchase an aperitivo. This is great way to […]

Italian Portion Size The Italian portion size is much smaller than the American portion. Traditionally, the Italian main meal is multi coursed instead of one giant serving. Have a look at this video to see and learn more. JOIN US ON THE NEXT PAGE FOR THE VIDEO

Happy in Lucca “Happy” [Verse 1:] It might seem crazy what I’m about to say Sunshine she’s here, you can take a break I’m a hot air balloon that could go to space With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way {Uh} [Chorus:] Because I’m happy Clap along if you feel like […]

A taste of Tuscany: Montepulciano Montepulciano is a medieval and Renaissance hill town and comune in the Italian province of Siena in southern Tuscany. It sits high on a 605-metre (1,985 ft) limestone ridge, 13 kilometres (8 mi) east of Pienza, 70 kilometres (43 mi) southeast of Siena, 124 kilometres (77 mi) southeast of Florence, […]

World’s Oldest Pharmacy (Santa Maria Novella)  Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy is not a regular pharmacy.  It is a museum filled with beauty products, such as fragrances, soaps and cosmetics.  In addition, there are ancient preparations, herbal teas, wax products and accessories. Whether you are looking to browse or to purchase a unique gift to pamper […]

Guido Grasso – Italian Nonna and Gossip Guido’s acting abilities are well known and sought out by the movie and television industry. In 1998, Guido landed his first feature film role in Bonanno: A Godfather Story playing the young Peter Maggadino. After Bonanno, Guido studied in New York refining his craft at the Neighborhood Playhouse […]

Gates of Heaven tour. See Siena from above! Here is a short video I took while on the Gates of Heaven tour in Siena. The guided tour consists of walking  “above” the sacred temple, seeing the incredible internal view of Siena Cathedral as well as external views of the magnificent city.   Reservations for the tour […]