maggio 5, 2011
I have always been a romantic girl. I have always loved happy end fairy tales, from Cinderella to The Sleeping Beauty. England has always have a special place in my heart. And I’ve been waiting for my Prince Charming for a while now, even though I must reckon that the electric blue tights are not my favourite outfit for a man! I do prefer masculine torn jeans!
Sum all these factors. Which is the first thing that comes to your mind? Quite simple, William and Kate’s royal wedding. Royal weddings make me shed an emotional tear every time, they allow me to dream for a little while without getting hurt, as when I used to watch Cinderella as a little child from a worn out video tape .
What girl doesn’t dream of feeling like a princess, even if just for one day? Watch out! I used the verb to feel, not to be. It is not necessary to have blue blood or marry a royal scion to feel like a princess (even though, if I had to choose one, I admit I have a soft spot for Carl Philip of Sweden, but I do not think I can compete with his current girlfriend, er…).
Last Saturday I felt like a princess, even though on a very low budget! I enjoyed a high tea at the Florence Four Seasons. It is a fabulous hotel, a Renaissance palace with one of the largest gardens in the city, just a few steps away from the Dome. It is possible to book an English afternoon high tea for just 22 €. It was just the three of us, happy, excited, even slightly intimidated … Here’s how I spent the afternoon with Laura and Emiko. Read the post until the end because there is a tiny surprise for you!
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Posted in About me, Travel 
24 Comments »
maggio 4, 2011
You know I’m a maniac… I mean, a fresh pasta maniac! Fresh pasta has gradually become my favourite dish, my favourite lesson to teach during cooking classes and my favourite executive toy when I’m stressed. Since I’m a generous and lovely person, I want to make you feel good as well: get over your fresh pasta fear, roll up your sleeves and enter the Italian way of life.
I’m honoured to be the host of the Monthly Mingle held by Meeta, one of the most talented foodblogger and food photographer you can’t help but love. I chose obviously Fresh Pasta as this month’s Mingle theme, as I wanted to gently tease your taste buds with appetizing and true Italian savours. But please, please surprise me! Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Fresh Pasta 18 Comments »
maggio 2, 2011
The tomato-bread soup (known also as pappa al pomodoro) is one of the most famous dishes of the Tuscan culinary tradition, with a large number of variations, I’d say every family has its own recipe. In Tuscany you can have pappa al pomodoro as a first course or even as a main dish. It is a hearty and simple dish, made according to the Tuscan golden rule: high quality ingredients, a simple cooking process and that’s all. You don’t need long cooking, dressings and many ingredients to make the most out of the freshest produce or the best quality ingredients you can find. This is a valuable example, in fact you basically need just stale bread, tomato purée and extra-virgin olive oil.
The first time my friends from London visited me for a long weekend I decided to have lunch with them in a typical trattoria in order to make them try the famous pappa al pomodoro. Suddenly they came out with: what? do you want us to eat soggy bread? Well, actually it is almost soggy bread, but you need to taste it before you can judge.
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Posted in First course, Fresh Pasta, Summer, Tuscan Recipes, Vegetarian Recipes 14 Comments »
aprile 28, 2011
I love colourful and distinguishing bridal bouquets, especially if they have unusual flowers and intricate interwoven green leaves. There’s a bouquet that beats them all. If ever a destiny will resolve me to leave my single status to get married, my bouquet will look like a bouquet garni! How I would love my father to walk me down the aisle, me holding tight in my hands a bouquet of fresh herbs, maybe some chili and certainly a lot of mint. After the ceremony, no way I’d throw the bouquet to the bridesmaids, it would end up directly into the pot to make us a risotto or a roast meat!
Last summer I visited Provence and Camargue: the stalls along the road were selling Provençal tablecloths, pottery, wrought iron souvenirs and bunches of fragrant lavender along with these small intense bouquets garnis, made with some of the most scented herbs of Provence. Again and again I was tempted to buy a whole bag of them, even though this would have meant finishing the trip in a car overfilled with thyme and laurel smell. Then I realized that it is much easier and cheaper to make them, instead of buying a bouquet garni as a common turist.
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Posted in First course, Rice, Spring, Summer, Travel, Vegetarian Recipes 10 Comments »
aprile 23, 2011
A simple egg to wish you all from the bottom of my heart Happy Easter. Thank you for being here and for make me feel your love and care every day. You are the essential ingredient of any recipe and the right light of each photo.
Posted in About me 4 Comments »
Strawberry and mascarpone pound cake
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