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Fried Black Olives

October 21st, 2011

Enjoy the Season’s First Taste Treats

Olive Nolche, Apulia - Recipes

Fall is olive season here in Puglia. Wherever you go, as far as the eye can see, vast expanses of olive groves surround you. At this time of year, the trees are heavily laden with their valuable and tasty fruit, the mighty olive, source of both health and wealth. Besides being delicious both whole and in the form of oil, the olive is chockfull of vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids, and has historically been the main crop driving the local economy.

Credits: Flickr

The first olive to mature each autumn is the Nolca, one of the few types of olive that can be eaten straight off the tree, without the various treatments necessary to make most olives edible. The Nolca contains less oleuropein, a powerful antioxidant chemical which give other olives their bitter taste. Science aside, all you really need to know is that they are delicious and are available right now!

The Nolca olive can be simply washed and eaten raw, ideally accompanied by freshly baked bread to help neutralize the slightly bitter aftertaste typical to all olives, but barely perceptible in this variety. However, the ideal way to prepare these taste treats is to fry them. No real recipe is necessary for this simple dish, just a few simple instructions.

Fried Nolca Olives

Ingredients

Nolca (or other sweet black olives) – Extra-virgin Olive Oil – Garlic – Chili Pepper – Salt

Directions

Pour a small quantity of extra-virgin olive oil into a frying pan and begin to sauté 1 whole clove of garlic and 1 small chili pepper. Quickly add the washed and thoroughly dried olives. Salt well and stir often. The olives are ready when they begin to soften.

Coming soon: An article dedicated to the olive harvesting and extra-virgin oil production process!

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Posted in Food & Recipes, Puglia

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Best Restaurants in Florence

September 21st, 2011

Where to eat in Florence: best restaurants and trattorias

Best restaurants in Florence: Chicken and mushrooms at Pangies
Being a lover of all that is Italian, going out to eat is one of my favorites. Florence is full of delicious and authentic places to eat at. The city is thriving on scrumptious dishes straight from the Tuscan countryside as well. As you gaze into Piazza della Signoria or out the window to the Ponte Vecchio, there is so much you can experience when it comes to eating out in Florence. My first and foremost favorite restaurant in Florence is Pangies Bistrot which is just a hop, skip and a jump from the Arno River. Located on Via del Parione, right off of Via Tornabuoni, this little locale is not to be missed. Run by a Florentine family, Mario (Babbo-father) Antonella (Mamma-mother), Francesca and Laura (figlie-daughters). The family makes everything fresh each morning and everything is always eaten up.

Trattoria da Giorgio, Best Restaurants in Florence

Trattoria da Giorgio is one of my frequent stops to grab a bite to eat during the dinner hours. Founded in 1974 by the family D’Amico which originated from the province of Abruzzo. They have been offering delicious, simple recipes to the public on Via Palazzuolo for many years now. Locals, tourists alike enjoy the atmosphere as if it was home. A very simple place inside. There are some paintings on the walls of typical Florentine vistas and famous works of art as well. The kitchen staff are all related and they eat together towards the end of the night if you are there after 10pm. There is a little TV that is on the wall where they can watch the news or soccer match that is playing that night.

Vinaio di Parte Guelfa - Best Restaurants in Florence

If you want a quick sandwich, Vinaino di Parte Guelfa is where you should go. Luca and Leo are brothers-in-law that have a thriving business for over 2 years now. They have a menu of mouth-watering panini and don’t forget to add a glass of Chianti to that. I suggest you ask what Luca and Leo think would go good with your proscuitto crudo. Are you a vegetarian? They have spinach, zucchini and rucola to add to your sandwich. Enjoy the atmosphere as the locals of Florence flock in and out of Vinaino.

Sitting, eating and people watching in a magnificent piazza like Piazza della Signoria is another plus when choosing a place to sit down for an afternoon lunch in Florence. The restaurant I ’Lorenzaccio has been serving patrons since 1968. I have been enjoying the pizza, atmosphere and especially the desserts for many years now. A great place to watch the piazza walk on by.

Dining room Riflessi - Best restaurants in Florence

An chic yet welcoming restaurant on Via Cavour hidden in a hotel, Riflessi is just delicious inside and out. This is one of Florence’s best kept secrets. This restaurant has been hidden in this hotel full of fantastic energy and warmth. The waitstaff is very helpful in making your dining experience exquisite. They enjoy explaining the wine and food to you in a way that makes your stomach growl for more of this delectable food. Pairing the wine with your main dish is just one of the perks they offer to you. Enjoy a night among the calming fountains at Riflessi.

Do you have any other restaurants in Florence to suggest?

In case you missed it, have a look on our last post: Best restaurants in and around Amalfi! Do not miss our next posts about Italian restaurants: follow us on Twitter and Facebook! Subscribe to our RSS and we’ll keep you updated!

Photo Credits: Olio di Oliva e Sogni di Vino

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Posted in Food & Recipes, Tuscany

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Best Restaurants In and Around Amalfi

September 19th, 2011

Where to eat in Amalfi: best restaurants and pizzerias

Amalfi harbor lined with restaurantsCredits: Laura Thayer

With so many choices, dining in the seaside town of Amalfi is one of the many pleasures of a leisurely holiday on the Amalfi Coast.

Set in a pretty harbor overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, the town of Amalfi is one of the most popular holiday destinations in southern Italy’s region of Campania. Visitors come from around the world to soak up the sun along the beautiful beaches of the Amalfi Coast and to enjoy the stunning landscape with towns dotting the mountainsides from high atop the peaks all the way down to the water’s edge. Campania is also a region famous for its regional specialties, from fresh seafood to the locally grown lemons and the famous Mozzarella di Bufala. Dining in Amalfi is a real treat, and here are just few spots where you’ll find an emphasis on local traditions and, of course, a delightful setting!

 

Harbor view of AmalfiCredits: Laura Thayer

For a romantic setting overlooking the harbor, follow the small road from the Amalfi’s central traffic circle Flavio Gioia leading along the port. There you’ll find several seaside restaurants, all featuring indoor and outdoor seating. During warm weather, enjoy your meal outdoors on the terrace at the Ristorante Lido Azzurro or Ristorante and Pizzeria Lo Smeraldino for excellent dining with beautiful views looking over the harbor toward the center of town. Watch the boats putter in and out of the harbor while enjoying local specialties from Amalfi. In the evenings, Lo Smeraldino also makes an tasty pizza, making it a welcoming setting for the entire family.

 

Café in Amalfi's Piazza DuomoCredits: Flickr

If you’re looking for a quick snack or a picturesque spot to rest your feet and enjoy a good dose of people watching Amalfi style, head to the Piazza Duomo in the center of town. Grab a table at one of the cafés in the Piazza and enjoy the stunning view looking up the imposing staircase to the Cathedral of Sant’ Andrea. For artisan made gelato, stop by the Bar Royal to try some of their delicious flavors. Along the waterfront overlooking the Marina Grande beach, the Gran Caffè offers a light lunch menu and lovely views. Nearby, you’ll find a row of restaurants, including the well-known Ristorante Marina Grande, that are all excellent spots for a relaxing lunch or special dinner.

 

Neapolitan style pizza in AmalfiCredits: Flickr

There’s a lively debate among locals about where to find the best pizza in Amalfi. You’ll find many creative interpretations as well as the classic Neapolitan style toppings in many restaurants and snack bars. One of my favorite places for pizza in Amalfi is at the Trattoria Da Maria just steps from the Piazza Duomo, which is also a fabulous restaurant. Try their pizza diavola (“devil”), which not only features spicy salami, but also a healthy sprinkling of peperoncino! Another popular spot is the Pizzeria Donna Stella, which is located in the medieval center of town with a charming outdoor seating area tucked away under a terrace of lemon trees.

 

Le Arcate seaside restaurant in AtraniCredits: Laura Thayer

After you’ve tried many of the restaurants in Amalfi, stroll over to the neighboring village of Atrani for a dinner with a relaxed pace and pretty view overlooking the town’s black sand beach. Dinner at the Ristorante Le Arcate, with outdoor seating on the waterfront, is a setting as romantic and charming as it gets on the Amalfi Coast. After dinner, stroll under the arches of the Amalfi Coast Road nearby to enjoy an after dinner drink at one of the many cafés in the town’s very sweet little piazza.

 

Santa Croce beach restaurant in AmalfiCredits: Laura Thayer

Looking for a quiet dining spot away from the crowds? During the summer months, hop on a boat to the nearby Santa Croce beach, which is just west of Amalfi. There you’ll find two restaurants overlooking this rocky and beautiful beach. Enjoy sandwiches and white wine with fresh peaches directly on the beach, or enjoy a leisurely lunch or dinner overlooking the sea for an unforgettable dining experience on the Amalfi Coast!

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Posted in Campania, Food & Recipes

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Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori

September 5th, 2011

Where to eat in Florence: a charming Osteria

Osteria vini e vecchi sapori, FlorenceCredits: 2Spaghi.it

Osteria of “wine and old flavors” expresses what a truly good quality meal can be in Florence. Family-run, the menu is written and changed almost every day with a new dish or appetizer to entice the palate.

A small space with only 18 seats this is not a place where you can’t always just walk in and be seated. During the weekends this place is hard to get into to. You must reserve a table to be served at a decent time. But if you arrive when it opens you can always get a table.

Osteria vini e vecchi sapori, FlorenceCredits: 2Spaghi.it

Located amidst the historical center of monuments and museums, on a small side street off of Piazza della Signoria called Via dei Magazzini. At these types of places with such a small space, it is inevitable that you will be sharing the table with someone else. It has a high ceiling and full of light which makes it very welcoming.

The menu as I said is handwritten, very short and filled with traditional dishes made fresh daily. The dishes consist of pasta that are not very well known but are served with sauces that are to die for.

The main courses you will not find at any trattoria or restaurant. They are few and far between and consist of authentic family made dishes that come from being passed down from generation to generation.

They serve for dessert a homemade zuccotto which is the Florence version of tiramisu. A dessert filled with liqueur and sweet cheese. It just melts in your month.

Osteria vini e vecchi sapori, FlorenceCredits: Noidueinucina

Definitely puts a topping on your meal. If you order coffee, it is served to you being poured directly from the mocha (stove top coffee pot). You will really feel like being at the home of an Italian relative when you eat here. So sit back and relax and enjoy what authentic Tuscan dining is in Florence.

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Posted in Food & Recipes, Tuscany

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Enjoying Mozzarella in Campania

September 2nd, 2011

Southern Italy’s Campania region is famous around the world for its mozzarella cheese.


Mozzarella cheese, Campania - ItalyCredits: Flickr

Here are a few ways to enjoy this Italian specialty!

Not all mozzarella is created alike, and visitors to Campania have the chance to experience mozzarella cheese at its finest. Exported all over the world, the mozzarella produced in Campania features prominently in local cuisine and regional specialties. The first thing to know about mozzarella in Campania is that it comes in two distinct varieties, each one appreciated and carefully made following traditional methods.

The most popular is the Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, a soft cheese formed by hand and made with raw buffalo milk. No, not the big bison that used to roam the great plains in America, but water buffalo that find the climate in the plains around Paestum and Caserta in Campania a happy home. The other popular variety of mozzarella is made with cow’s milk and is called fior di latte to distinguish it from the Mozzarella di Bufala. Both are highly prized in the region and used in many traditional recipes of Campania.

Mozzarella cheese "Treccia" shape, Campania - ItalyCredits: Flickr

Traveling through Campania, you’ll see many different shapes of Mozzarella di Bufala Campana and fior di latte. A visit to a dairy farm to see mozzarella being made is a fun outing! After processing the milk, the cheese is worked by hand and kneaded until it is just the right consistency and texture. The cheese makers work in teams to knead the cheese and pull off one piece at a time, which is put into cool water where it soaks for several hours before being ready to eat. During this process large balls are made, or small bite sized balls called bocconcini, or braided into a treccia shape. Everyone has their preferences for favorite shapes and how to serve them, but this often varies in different areas and towns throughout the region.

Mozzarella cheese, Campania - ItalyCredits: Flickr

When you have the chance to try a fresh Mozzarella di Bufala or fior di latte in Campania, the most important thing is simply to enjoy it! When freshly made, you’ll often find it served in restaurants and at the family table as an antipasto, or appetizer, to enjoy with sliced prosciutto, bresaola or salami. Remember that mozzarella is not stored in the refrigerator, unless you are going to using it for cooking. The proper way to store it is at room temperature in the liquid it is packaged in when you but it.

Pizza with Mozzarella cheese, Campania - ItalyCredits: Flickr

There are so many ways to enjoy mozzarella in Campania! While many pizzas are topped with fior di latte, the classic Margherita pizza in Naples is topped with Mozzarella di Bufala. Don’t expect mounds of cheese on the Margherita, but the Mozzarella di Bufala adds a wonderful flavor that you must experience!

Sandwich with Mozzarella cheese, Campania - ItalyCredits: Flickr

Another classic that is perfect for heading to the beach in Campania is a simple panino, or sandwich, made with mozzarella, tomatoes and basil. There are many other popular panini for the summer, but they tend to be simple, such as prosciutto and mozzarella, to allow the flavors of each ingredient to stand out.

Mozzarella tomato - Caprese with bufala cheeseCredits: Flickr

One of the most popular ways to enjoy mozzarella in Campania is the delicious Insalata Caprese that was created on the island of Capri. This salad is easy to make at home by simply slicing tomatoes and mozzarella cheese and topping it with freshly torn basil leaves, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Should you use Mozzarella di Bufala or fior di latte? The answer varies depended on where you are in Campania. Along the Amalfi Coast, in Sorrento and on Capri, the preferred cheese is often fior di latte. However, in Naples and near Paestum and Caserta, where Mozzarella di Bufala is produced, you’ll often find Insalata Caprese served with the locally made buffalo milk mozzarella.

Don’t miss the chance to try Campania’s famous fior di latte and Mozzarella di Bufala on your travels through this beautiful region in southern Italy!

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Posted in Campania, Food & Recipes

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