Gourmet Italian

photo credit: Maggie Hoffman Cioppino with Italian rustic bread is a meal fit for a king!  I remember the first time I had it.  We were literally sitting in the Pacific Ocean off of San Luis Obispo, California.  We had to drive our car out onto the pier and park.  The meal was one of [...]

photo credit: Barbara L. Hanson A traditional Italian celebration occurs every March 19th and it is called St. Joseph’s Day.  It is customary to eat Sfingi – also known as zeppole – on this day. There are many types of sfingi.  One type is much like fried bits of sweetened bread dough dusted with sugar.  [...]

We can most likely thank the Genoans for Pesto.  This quick Italian green mixture will brighten up any dish.  The name actually derives from the Latin word “pesta” – meaning to crush or pound.  Of course, the key ingredient in Pesto is basil.  Basil thrived throughout the region near Genoa, so it was widely used.  [...]

photo credit: daveyll One Italian specialty food that is a real treat and not too hard to make is Veal Saltimbocca.  The word Saltimbocca means “jumps in the mouth” because it is so good it almost jumps in your mouth! This dish is made with either veal, chicken or pork.  The dish was invented in [...]