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Maccheroni alla Chitarra di Farro con Pesto di Cavolo Nero

Posted February 27, 2012 By Adri

Guitar Cut Farro Pasta with Black Kale Pesto

Pasta with Kale Pesto

I was craving a hearty, but meatless pastasciutta, whole grain and packed with nutrients. The pasta was the easy part. When I want hearty pasta, I go right to the famous maccheroni alla chitarra of Abruzzo. Also known as pasta or spaghetti alla chitarra, the noodles are satisfying and toothsome.

I figured farro would be perfect for the pasta. An heirloom grain (triticum dicoccum), it is also known as emmer, and sometimes erroneously called spelt. Farro has been around for ages, literally. Documented as far back as the dawn of agriculture in Mesopotamia and The Fertile Crescent, the Roman legions conquered the world on their daily ration. Read more… »

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Mardi Gras King Cake

Posted February 18, 2012 By Adri

Mardi Gras King Cake

Well, I’ve never been a Mardi Gras reveler, and until today I had never made a King Cake. But Noelle Carter’s recipe in last Thursday’s LA Times Food Section was a temptation I could not resist. And why should I? After all, Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday, the great day of indulgence, is upon us.

King Cake season runs from Twelfth Night to Ash Wednesday and comes to us from the Catholic tradition and believe it or not, ancient Rome. The cake represents the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the infant Jesus; baked in each King Cake is a small charm, most commonly a baby representing the infant Jesus. Less often seen in America is a charm depicting a King wearing a crown. The notion of this trinket has its origins in the ancient Roman Saturnalia banquets where beans were used to elect the King of the Feast. The rite continued, but over time, the voting gave way to the bean (and later a small trinket) being baked into a celebration pastry, and the old gods gave way to the new. Read more… »

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Ravioli alla cavarola

Posted February 15, 2012 By Adri

Quilted ravioli

Quilted Ravioli with Butter CU


Mom’s pink satin quilt. Filled with the finest goose down, it was the epitome of bedroom comfort. She did not use it all the time. It was a special sort of a quilt, one we kids used only when we were sick. Good and sick, and the arrival of the quilt meant that this sore throat, belly ache or earache was the real deal.

My mom was not the kind of mom who ran to the doctor for every little thing. Not even close. Just ask my brothers and sister if you do not believe me. That is why we knew that when we got the quilt something serious was cooking. It meant that at any moment Dr. Cobley, the family pediatrician, might walk into the bedroom. Yes, Virginia, I am that old. I came of age in the era when physicians made house calls. Read more… »

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Latte alla Portoghese al Caffe e Cioccolato

Posted February 12, 2012 By Adri

Espresso and Chocolate Creme Caramel

Creme Caramel 01b

I have a thing for custard desserts. And caramel. And coffee. And somehow lately I have had a craving for chocolate. So there you go, as my sister Toni often says. And if you looking for a Valentine’s Day dessert, this is it.

Chocolate and Coffee

In its simplest form, flavored with vanilla only, this is a classic dessert, one everyone ought to have in their repertoire. Known as Latte alla Portoghese (after the exiled Jews who left Spain through Portugal and brought this to Italy), Crema caramella, Creme caramel, Creme renversee au caramel and Flan, it seems everyone makes this. Little wonder, I say. Read more… »

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World Nutella Day, February 5, 2012

Posted February 5, 2012 By Adri

Bring it Forth

Nutella Jar

More than seventy years ago pastry chef Pietro Ferrero invented Nutella. Originally supplied in Mamma convenient sliceable loaves and called “pasta gianduja” it was made of cocoa and Piemontese hazelnuts. Over time the formula was modified, made spreadable and renamed “supercrema gianduja” and ultimately in 1964 was renamed Nutella. It was first imported to America in 1983, and the rest, as they say, is history.

This delightful nut and milk chocolate concoction even has its own day. In 2007, Sara from Ms. Adventures in Italy and Michelle from Bleeding Espresso realized that Nutella deserved some serious recognition, a day for people to proudly eat Nutella directly from the jar. (Well, they suggest use of a spoon.) A day when one might wish to sit for a portrait whilst lovingly caressing a jumbo jar of the cocoa and hazelnut manna. And year by year the number of celebrants has grown. The world is a sweeter, better place. Yes, my thanks go out to Sara and Michelle who “solemnly declare Sunday, February 5th World Nutella Day 2012 – a day to celebrate, to get creative with, and most importantly, to EAT Nutella.” Read more… »

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How to Poach a Pear – Pere martine al Toscano Rosso

Posted January 28, 2012 By Adri

How to Poach Pears in Red Wine


Pears in a Row


If peaches are the Queen of Summer fruit, then surely pears reign in Winter. Poached Pears, served whole, halved or sliced, delight family and guests. Bart walked into the kitchen the other night, and I shooed him out saying I had a surprise dessert for him. (By the way, that is a really good way to get people out of the kitchen – works better than anything else I have tried.) I poured Creme Anglaise on a plate, placed a jewel of a poached pear in the center, decorated it with some poaching syrup, and presented it to Bart. His face lit up. This one is a winner.


Decorated Poached Pear


Poached pears are especially welcome now as we look for lighter desserts. Bosc and D’Anjou are the pears most often recommended for poaching, but Bartletts, red d’Anjou and Comice are my favorites. Select firm, unblemished and slightly under ripe fruit. Pay special attention to the stems of the fruit you buy; look for nicely formed ones, and be certain they are firmly attached. Read more… »

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