Siena, outdoor location shots, winter. The Sienese people, the University students and the few tourists that in this time of the year are forced to pass through the tiny shadowy back lanes usually tuck their hands down in their pockets to find some warmth and hide their face in a wool scarf of to protect themselves [...]

Posted in Desserts, Tuscan Recipes, Winter 11 Comments »

During winter, when the snow covers my small herb garden outside in the farmyard, the memories of the fresh herbs bunches picked from the pots just before cooking are very far. On Sunday, though, I did a little magic, inspired by an ancient herb garden, that of the Benedictine monks of the Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset, England. On [...]

Posted in Autumn, Meat, Winter 9 Comments »

I knew that sooner or later I’d have to talk about Carnival. As I have already mentioned, Carnival parades, more or less successful fancy dresses and colourful confetti that will sneak into your dresses worse than the sea sand into your swimming costumes, well, they are really not my cup of tea. The Carnival is the last obstacle [...]

Posted in Desserts, Family recipes, Tuscan Recipes, Winter 10 Comments »

For me, living on the border between the provinces of Siena and Florence, driving south in Tuscany means going through one of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet, the Val d’Orcia and the Crete Senesi, declared by UNESCO, in 2004, World Heritage Site. The outlines of the hills are well known throughout the world, just [...]

Posted in Autumn, Baked Good, Cakes, Chocolate, Desserts, Tuscan Recipes, Winter 31 Comments »

When in the afternoon I need a break to lighten up my mind and warm up my hands and my spirit, I put the kettle on the fire and brew a flavored black tea. The cardamom black tea is my latest passion.   When it comes to food, I am a fairly daring person, I [...]

Posted in Autumn, Drinks, Winter 17 Comments »