There is just something about the fall season with its fresh scents, crispy breezes, changing colors, cozy sweaters and delicious comfort foods that make it a favorite season for so many people. One of the things we love most about this season has to be the many sagre that take place to celebrate the harvest...Read More
It’s the unofficial symbol of Calabria. You’ll literally see it everywhere you turn and if you find yourself in Calabria, especially in late summer, it isn’t uncommon to see strings of it hanging out to dry from doorways, balconies, and windows. We are talking, of course, about peperoncini (chili peppers). These beautifully colored deep red...Read More
Regardless of where you go, there is one thing you will find pretty much everywhere – street food! Whether it’s called take-away, street-eats, fast food, or cibo di strada; you can learn a lot about a city or region’s character and history from its street food. Street food is mainly sold from food stands/kiosks and...Read More
You can be certain that summer is here when you start to see these incredibly vibrant and bright yellow flowers at your local supermarket, fruit vendor or in your neighbor’s garden. But, what can you do with these delightful flowers? Well, zucchini flowers are a summer-time favorite in many parts of Italy and there are...Read More
Southern Italy is synonymous with homemade pasta, rich tomato sauce, fiery peppers and fresh, local produce. Oh yea … and wine. And Olive oil. And cheese. Ahem. I’m losing focus here. What I’m trying to say is we all know southern Italy can rock a plate but until now there wasn’t even one professionally-written cookbook...Read More
Either loved or feared, anchovies are a staple of Italian cooking, especially along the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy’s Campania region. Called alici in Italian, these little fish are prepared in many local specialties. Laura Thayer, an American expat who lives on the Amalfi Coast, shares with My Bella Vita a traditional recipe from Amalfi for...Read More
Newsletter recipients and Facebook fans will remember my recent Limoncello Challenge – where I took two extreme steeping rules and put them to the test. And I have to say … the results were surprising. To fully tell this story, I need to go back to when I first tried the homemade limoncello that knocked...Read More
If there is one thing expats in southern Italy can agree on, it’s that we have the. best. food. in the country. Ok, ok, expats in other parts of Italy … back off! Your food rocks, too. But I have that whole southern pride thing going on and nothing makes me prouder than reviewing a...Read More
As if being married to a cute Italian didn’t already have its advantages-living in a foreign country, learning about a new culture, being able to backtrack if you say something mean by claiming ignorance of his language-my Italian also likes to cook. And he is good at it. Sometimes he’ll see a recipe on TV...Read More
There’s been a lot on my plate lately, but I figure any event that is five years running deserves a little attention … and honestly, who doesn’t have room on their plate for a little scoop-or three-of Nutella. However, between cluster feedings, Calabria tours and our bed and breakfast, I wasn’t sure *how* I’d celebrate...Read More
