I’m not usually a very fancy baker. When it comes to desserts, I definitely lean rustic. A jam-filled crostata is my go-to, especially when I’m having friends over in Umbria. But when I wrote The Italian Table I realized I’d need a few sweets that pushed me out of my comfort zone. One of my […] The post Strawberry and Ricotta Cake appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
One of my all-time favorite recipes comes from one of my oldest friends, Evan Kleiman. Long before I even met Evan, over 20 years ago, I was already making her tomato, pancetta and mascarpone pasta from her book Pasta Fresca, which sat on my shelf right next to Marcella Hazan. The fact that it is […] The post Tomato, Pancetta & Mascarpone Pasta appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
This post is short and sweet, much like the salad itself. I’ve been spending most of this month with family, which means plenty of food and not many styled photos. Meals have been long, loud, and full of daughters, cousins and siblings. The kind where the food disappears faster than you can take a picture. […] The post Prosciutto + Melon Salad appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
A few summers ago, our friend Rolando came to visit. While our other friend Salvatore was busy frying up zucchini blossoms in the kitchen, Rolando quietly got to work on his contribution: toasted bread, cold butter, and anchovies. I didn’t think much of it at first. But then he pulled out a tiny jar of...| Via Rosa
Ordering Coffee Ordering coffee in Italy can be a challenge if you don’t know what to ask for. Every cup carries a bit of culture with it. Where and when you drink it matters—there’s a whole country between a Bicerin in Torino and an Espressino in Bari. Time of day changes the experience too. Are […] The post Italian Coffee Drinks Explained appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
Up until the early 2000s, most restaurants in Rome would close for the holidays, leaving tourists wandering the city in search of something decent to eat. Thankfully, times have changed. With a bit of planning, you can enjoy some delicious meals while spending Christmas in Rome. The Holiday Season in Rome The Christmas season in […] The post Christmas in Rome appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
I arrived two days early for my week long tour in Sicily. It was partly to have a fun weekend with Domenico and partly to research new things for our tour ( restaurants, adventures, etc). Just in case you are thinking of spending a weekend in Ortigia (and you definitely should) I thought you would […] The post 36 Hours in Ortigia, Sicily appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
Though I had visited Parma a handful of times over the years, it wasn’t until I was doing research for my books that I truly got to know the city. I spent three weeks there while writing the chapter on Parmigiano Reggiano for Eating My Way Through Italy and returned while working on The Italian […] The post 36 Hours in Parma appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
I can still remember the first time I made pesto at home. I had no idea what I was doing and only knew that basil was the main ingredient. I turned to Evan Kleiman’s Pasta Fresca and found a perfect, easy, pesto recipe. This was back in 1988, long before the internet, and her recipe […] The post Arugula Pesto appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
I take trains in Italy often, and I get lots of questions about it. So, I decided to create this guide to share practical tips and my personal preferences for train travel in Italy. First, let me admit—I love taking the train. If I could take one back to the U.S., I would! I’ve never […] The post How to Take a Train in Italy appeared first on Via Rosa.| Via Rosa
Zucchini Tomato Soup is one of my go-to dishes during late zucchini season. I love it, but I usually make it when I’m left with a bunch of zucchinis that are too big, misshapen, or just in need of being used. By mid-August, I’m ready to put the last of the zucchini into something I...| Via Rosa
Join chef and cookbook author Meryl Feinstein (Pasta Social Club) for a pasta-filled week of cooking, eating, exploring, and having fun in Sicily.| Via Rosa