Italian Thanksgiving Antipasto Platters

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“over the river and through the woods,  to grandmother’s house we go” (a view of the road to my acreage) the fireplace mantel all decorated for autumn and Thanksgiving the dining room centerpiece for autumn and Thanksgiving, minus the place settings Most Americans would be surprised to know that Italians also have a celebration in {Read More}

The Traditional Food of Emilia ~ Romagna, Italy! A Taste of Emilia-Romagna!

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(photo credit: ‘tourism emilia-romagna) We are in Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy today, affectionately known as the legendary “bread basket” of Italy!   With its capital of Bologna, this region is considered by many to be the gastronomical and culinary heart of Italy . . . and that reputation resonates throughout very demanding Italian food circles.  This region has {Read More}

The Traditional Foods of Venice, Italy!

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(the photo above is a free downloadable image from “Islands”) Ciao from Venice! It has been said that whether or not someone is a romantic at heart or not, Venice promises to take one’s breath away. Venice must be experienced with all of one’s senses wide open! With it’s breath-taking ancient architecture, winding canals, and endless {Read More}

Cheese – Stuffed Fried Zucchini Blossoms with Fresh Tomato Sauce & Basil Pesto

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Oh zucchini!  ”A joy in July or a joke in September!”  Truth is, what would summer be without zucchini and tomatoes fresh from the garden?  Zucchini simply capture the green colors and flavors of summer.  When fried alone, or stuffed and fried, they are marvelous as appetizers or for a mid-morning treat!  A platter of fried {Read More}

Wild Mushroom Agnolotti in Basil Pesto Butter

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“You are not to cook for 8 weeks!” and “No BLT’s” stated the nurse at the Carolina Neurosurgical and Spine Center in a pre-surgery class filled with a group of patients and their primary care takers preparing for upcoming lumbar fusion surgery. “Oh my God,” I said to my husband during the class that took {Read More}