Oh, Italy in the Summertime, specifically Italy in August! Living in Italy presents quite the paradox. The beaches are beautiful and buzzing with activity. The lounge chairs on the beach are all lined up in perfect little rows. Each beach front establishment has their own colors of sun umbrellas and matching lounge chairs. They are playing music and mixing up Spritz (the favorite Aperitivo or mixed drink of Italy). The Italians are out in full regalia, suntans glowing, and families playing and lounging in the sun together.
Eggplant Parmesan (Melanzane Parmigiana) with Keto version
Eggplant Parmesan or Melanzane alla Parmigiana as they say in Italy is claimed to be from the Southern regions of Italy both Campania and Sicily claim it as their. It Is usually served as a Primi Piatti or first course in Italian Cuisine.
Kung Pao Chicken (with Keto Version)
Kung Pao Chicken is the perfect mid week meal, it’s fast and delicious and full of nutritious veggies! I have been making this meal for years but we are particularly interested in this dish this week for its “Keto” value. Yes, I can’t believe we are on the “Keto” band wagon, but since we have been practicing Intermittent fasting for a while now, we are adding some Ketogenic meals into the mix.
Ooey Gooey Blonde Brownies (Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownies)
Here is a classic recipe from the little blue vinyl cook book from my childhood. I’m not sure where my mom got this recipe but it was always a favorite and so easy to make when you are having a serious dessert craving and you have nothing in the house to eat. In fact, that is just what happened while I was home visiting my mom.
Lasagna Bolognese
When I returned home to California for a visit, my sister asked me to make Italian Style Lasagna. My sister is known for her very hefty and delicious “American” style lasagna that is full of different cheeses, sausage and ground beef and costs a fortune to make. So we had told her how simple lasagna in Italy is and she really wanted to try it. I don’t know if it will be a game changer for them but this is how they do it in Italy…
Old Fashioned Peach Crisp
Ahhhh, the peak of the Summertime is late July, and nothing says Summer better than a homemade peach crisp slowly melting a dallop of vanilla ice cream that has been scooped on top. Peaches are one of my favorite fruits, from the fuzzy soft skin to the blush of red around the gnarled pit, I love this summer stone fruit!
Tuscan Hot springs of San Filippo and Saturnia
Italy is a Peninsula full of thermal activity, yet this is something you rarely read about in any guidebook of Italy. From top to bottom, Italy is speckled with hot springs ranging from high-end resorts to free cascades on mountainsides. Sometimes the hot spring will be a simple, natural pool out in a grassy field that will charge a small fee of €6 to enter. Such as Bagnaccio, where there is a snack bar, changing rooms and bathrooms and you provide the rest. I like Bagnaccio because it is a simple pool, low price and it has a nice grassy open area. I recommend packing a picnic, bringing a blanket or even lounge chairs and enjoying a couple of hours lounging at the hot spring. It is especially nice in Spring or Fall when you can soak up some warm sun while you lounge.
Arancini (Fried Rice Balls)
So I have finally mastered the Risotto and have been enjoying its creamy decadent wonder every week now. Amazing flavors like Pumpkin Risotto, Milanese Risotto, Mushroom Risotto, Radicchio Risotto and Shrimp Risotto. There is the rare occasion when all the risotto does not get eaten up and the bowl licked clean and you find yourself with leftover risotto in the fridge.
Shrimp Risotto (Risotto alla Gamberi)
Shrimp Risotto (Gamberi Risotto)
I’m starting to get into the grove of the Italian Kitchen! I have taken on a love of Risotto, so creamy and decadent in its simplicity. I haven’t had a guest yet that hasn’t reveled in its delights as a Primi Piatti (first course).
A Trip to Montefiascone, in Central Italy
Montefiascone
Jeff’s Parents came to spend a month with us and we decided to take a little road trip up to the Tuscan and Umbria borders of our region of Lazio. We have chosen Montefiascone for our home base. It is an exhausting exercise to try and decide where to spend your time anywhere in Italy because there are so many choices.