LA PORCHETTA
I will be honest with you. There are only a few things in life better than porchetta and while many of these ‘few’ things are not suitable for a 10am TV show, porchetta is. Porchetta, an obvious derivative of the word porco, “pork”, is nothing more than what it seems: a roasted pork cooked on … Read more
RISOTTO AI CARCIOFI
When it comes to risotto, good risotto, I am weak. I admit it. Sometimes you just need to take the stairs instead of the elevator so you can enjoy a bowl of goodness from time to time. And this is the case. Risotto is one of those dishes that people think is harder than it … Read more
FRITTERS FOR CARNIVAL
It’s Sunday night and I am writing about fritters. Yep. Maybe it is the incombent Carnival or maybe my tummy is just hungry for those airy, tart, beignet-like bites of heaven. But tonight, Sunday night is about Fritters. Ricotta fritters. On the cool pre-lenten nights leading up to Ash Wednesday, the festivities of Carnevale, or mardi gars as … Read more
Coal Miner’s Food: Spaghetti alla Carbonara
You probably have tasted some in one form or another. I’m talking about one of the most famous Italian pasta recipe: ‘Spaghetti alla Carbonara’ (video and recipe below). At the same time this dish is also one of the most “bastardised” ones. I’ve been wanting to write a post about this traditional italian dish for … Read more
A Taste of Sicily
A few days ago, I had the pleasure to work with Jan D’Atri on NBC and show off one of my absolute favorite recipes: ‘Pesce Spada alla Siciliana’ or ‘Swordfish Sicilian Style’. I was struck by beautiful balance of this preparation when a few years ago, while visiting the Italian island, i ran into this incredible easy … Read more
To The Women You Love…
Today is March 8th, International Woman’s Day, Festa delle Donne!! Let’s be clear, i believe that every day should be our Woman’s Day, especially because that would involve your mother..and how can’t you celebrate her every day of the year? I have wonderful memories of this day in Italy, me picking up some mimosa flowers … Read more
A New Year
This post is long overdue. Now, i will be honest; It is not that i didn’t have time to sit down and write for the past month. The truth is that, when i am on a vacation, i try very hard to leave behind me all those tweets, facebook posts, emails that hunt us for the rest … Read more
Never Old Enough
MANY friends ask me what does writing has to do with food. I always answer them that i enjoy writing about experiencing food as much as i love cooking it. The power of words, especially when it comes down to describe smells, tastes and colors, is a very challenging yet rewarding one. Last month, while sipping … Read more
Autunno alle Porte
In October, the summer heat finally lets up here in Arizona and believe it or not, I actually look forward to the crisp Autumn days that come sometime between mid-September and late-October. Each year, I marvel that I am actually sated of fresh tomatoes and grilled scampi. I get excited about Porcini mushrooms and grilled … Read more
To Love, To Eat, To Cook, To Live
We are what we eat, and we cook who we are. – Anthelme Brillat-Savarin Last week the calendar marked the 1 year anniversary of CULINARY MISCHiEF, the first underground dining event in Phoenix, two years, since the opening of iL TOCCO, and 10 years since the start of my career. It made me happy looking … Read more
