“The great white Pear tree Dropped with dew From leaves and blossom Under the heavens Of happy blue.” -Jean Ingelow The voluptuous and succulent pear. It’s that time of year when these curvy fruits begin to fill up baskets and bins at the local farm markets. Although their juicy sweetness…
-
-
Roasted Tomato and Bread Soup (Pappa al Pomodoro)
I’m relying on my Italian-influenced roots for today’s Roasted Tomato and Bread Soup, Pappa al Pomodoro, which literally translates into “mush of tomato” in English. Though that translation does not sound quite as appetizing ;). This a fragrant and flavorful bread soup recipe with humble roots, but a prominent profile. Steeped…
-
Chocolate Red Wine Cupcakes
A luxuriously decadent, grown-up dessert. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, I wanted to make a fun and sophisticated treat. Then it happened! Chocolate red wine cupcakes. Oh, yes… These decadent and grown-up chocolate cupcakes are made with a blend of natural and Dutched unsweetened cocoa, hinted with Bordeaux, and…
-
Brasato al Barolo (Beef Braised in Barolo Wine)
Brasato al Barolo simply means beef braised in Barolo wine. It’s a classic, rustic dish from the Piedmont region of Italy. Every northern Italian family has their own version of this recipe, but one thing remains the same – a hearty roast is cooked long and slow in a full-bodied…
-
Elderberry & Rose Hip Healing Tea
It’s almost January. If you haven’t caught a cold by now, chances are that you probably will. Before I go any further, let me just go on the record: before I had children, I went 8 straight years without catching a cold. True story. Since children, especially school-aged children, there’s…