Everybody Loves Tuscany

Health Boosting Staples of The Italian Diet Health boosting staples of the Italian diet are key to eating for longevity.  The Italian is a good prescription for health and a good way to satisfy yourself explains Dr. Steven Gundry, a cardiac surgeon and author in California. Some typical Italian foods eaten on the program are […]

Free entrance to state museums in Florence Free entrance to state museums in Florence every first Sunday of the month!  Museums include the Uffizi, Accademia, Palazzi Pitti Complex which includes Boboli Gardens, the Bargello and many more. Moreover, free entrances to state museums are not limited to Florence.  In fact, free entrances to state museums […]

Chicken Vesuvio Ingredients: • 8 tbsp. Olive Oil, divided • 1 1/2 cups, small dice Russet potato • 8 cloves garlic, only 5 coarsely chopped • 2 skin-on chicken breasts, cut in half • 2 skin-on chicken leg quarters, cut in half • ¾ cup diced Celery • 6 sprigs of fresh Thyme • 1 […]

Chicken Cacciatore Ingredients: 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil 6 Chicken Thighs, boneless 1 very large red onion, thinly sliced 8 oz. Button mushrooms, sliced 1 cup Olives, green and black mixed 2 Tbsp. Rosemary, chopped 2 Tbsp. Sage, chopped 2 Tbsp. drained capers, divided 2 Tbsp. Red wine vinegar 14 ounce canned diced tomatoes, crushed further […]

Top 10 responses in Italian to how are you? How are you is a common question to be asked in any language.  While most people tend to say “sto bene”  I’m okay, there are many other responses that can be expressed.  For instance, what if you are not well?  Or, what if you are great? […]

Grissini al prosciutto INGREDIENTS 1 roll puff pastry 100g prosciutto 1 1/2 ounces Parmesan cheese 1 whipped egg yolk PREPARATION Add prosciutto and Parmesan cheese on top of half of a rectangular pastry dough. Bend on it and cut it into strips of about 1 centimeter. Roll each strip on it, shake it with a […]

Volterra Prison Restaurant The Fortezza Medicia is a present day prison that offers a unique experience to both the inmates and the public.  A number of times per year, this high security prison also operates a restaurant on premises that is staffed by inmates serving the public. This rehabilitation designed program allows the inmate to […]

Church bell ringers Although most church bells in Italy are now automated with press button bell systems, the sound used to be made manually with rope pulling. Barga, a medieval town in the province of Lucca, revived the ancient tradition wherein the bells are rung by hand. Here’s a video showing the traditional method of […]

LIMONCELLO TIRAMISÙ Ingredients 5 LARGE EGGS 5 OR 6 LEMONS 1 CUP SUGAR 1-½ CUPS LIMONCELLO LIQUEUR 1 CUP WATER 1 POUND (2 CUPS) MASCARPONE, AT ROOM TEMPERATURE 40 LADYFINGERS (PREFERABLY IMPORTED ITALIAN SAVOIARDI) OR MORE AS NEEDED Directions Recommended equipment: A double boiler with a large stainless steel bowl and a wide sauce pan […]

Torta di ricotta e cioccolato INGREDIENTS ● FOR THE DOUGH 2⅓ cups (300 g) plain white flour 3/4 cup (150 g) powdered sugar 1/2 cup (120 g) butter 2 eggs 1 untreated organic lemon grated rind pinch of salt ● FOR THE FILLING 3 cups (700 g) ricotta 1/4 cup (40 g) chips of dark […]