I started this post last week as part of the “My Favorite Things” series on traditions I love in Southern Italy, but old memories kicked in and well, that post got long. So, last week I told you about my first aperitivo in Calabria and today I’m going to elaborate on the “Aperitivo Experience,” something...Read More
I’ve been running down the list of some of my favorite southern Italian traditions and have covered the long, leisurely lunch and the nightly passeggiata. Today, we’re returning to the table, but before I tell you about this pre-meal, appetite-inducing tradition, I need to go back-five or six years, actually, and tell you about my...Read More
It’s eerily intimate to read about the history, stories and legends of your home, to see in print the cities and towns that are in your backyard and to understand the culture that is unfolding before you in black and white. No, I’m not Calabrese, or even Italian, by heritage, but I couldn’t help but...Read More
Today we are wrapping up the two-month Real Recipe Wednesday series here on My Bella Vita. In case you missed them, you can check out some great recipes like Pasta Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino, Bucatini all’ Amatriciana, Orecchiette con Pelati e Ricotta and Merluzzo e Pomodorini, as well as a few regional favorites, like Sicilian...Read More
And no, that’s not a typo for “lasagna.” We’ve already done that recipe … remember? Lagane is a homemade southern Italian pasta that many food historians believe to be the origin of modern-day lasagna. It is traditionally served with chickpeas, but you’ll have to wait until next week for that recipe. Today, we’re delving into...Read More
Today we are continuing on with the Real Recipe Series with a healthy, delicious dish from the sea … Merluzzo e Pomodorini Pasta. In case you’ve missed them, you can check out the other pasta dishes, Pasta Aglio Olio Peperoncino, Bucatini all’ Amatriciana and Orecchiete with Tomatoes and Ricotta, or read up on Sicilian Mollica...Read More
Last month was delizioso at My Bella Vita and through the Real Recipe Series we discovered a couple of great primi plates-Pasta Aglio Olio Peperoncino and Bucatini all’ Amatriciana, a fun alternative to sprinkled cheese with Sicilian Mollica and Sfogliatella, a sweet, flaky Napoletano dessert. It was so delectable that I decided to extend it...Read More
It’s been a delicious month here at My Bella Vita with recipes ranging from Pasta Aglio Olio Peperoncino to Sicilian mollica and Naple’s own delectably sweet sfogliatella. The Real Recipe Wednesday series continues today with one of my personal favorites, Bucatini all’amatriciana, from Mary of Flavors of Abruzzo. Welcome, Mary! Bucatini all’amatriciana is named after...Read More
While the food of Calabria ranges from super spicy peppers, to fresh fruit and vegetables to meat, seafood and pasta, the breakfast food is sweet and simple. While it is true Italians eat pancetta–and they love a good frittata-they’ll probably scoff if you offer them for breakfast. In fact, one of my young neighbors asked...Read More
All this month we are featuring real Italian recipes and Mamma Mia have we had some goodies. We’ve gone from classic Pasta Aglio Olio Peperoncino to Sicilian modica and today, my sweet-toothed friends, we are in Naples, enjoying sfogliatella, straight from the Amalfi Coast’s own, Laura Thayer of Ciao Amalfi! The first time I traveled...Read More
