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Inside a Pugliese Forno (Breadmaker), part 2: Into the Oven!

November 13th, 2007 · 9 Comments

New here? Check out “Best Of” for some top posts, subscribe to my RSS feed - http://feeds.feedburner.com/MsAdventuresinItaly or receive email updates!Be sure to read: Part 1 of Inside a Pugliese Forno (Breadmaker)
In part one, we looked at preparing the dough for the rising and baking. Now our oven is ready for the all the [...]

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Tags: Behind the Scenes · Food · Italy · Puglia

Inside a Pugliese Forno (Breadmaker)

November 11th, 2007 · 14 Comments

Be sure to read Part 2: Inside a Pugliese Forno (Breadmaker): Into the Oven!
“Oooo, I’d like to go in there.”
When my friends and family here hear this, they know that I am immediately making plans to infiltrate whatever I’m talking about. What I really mean is, I want to approach complete strangers, follow them around [...]

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Tags: Behind the Scenes · Food · Italy · Puglia

Scotland, my Nomad Family, and a little Haggis

November 8th, 2007 · 18 Comments

Way back in September I went on a little trip to Scotland and France. I still haven’t posted any pictures from that trip since I’m still posting pictures from my trips in August (and leaving out a lot!)
The purpose of this trip with my mother was about relaxation and spending time together, but it was [...]

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Tags: Discovering Food · Food · Me · Scotland · Travels Abroad

Erice, Sicily and Le Genovesi

November 5th, 2007 · 17 Comments

The medieval city of Erice sits on a hill high above the Trapani coast, about 2,400 feet above sea level. It can be reached by funicular from Trapani or you can take one of two roads that wind up the side of the mountain.
Erice has a mythological background - Eryx, the son of Aphrodite [...]

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Tags: Discovering Italy · Food · Italy · Sicily

Caption Me: Porchetta Maremmana, Roasted Pig with Head

November 1st, 2007 · 27 Comments

I read about an “unsettling” photo on YumSugar, the object of much discussion, consisting of a roasted pig’s head being served at a buffet. That same weekend, I was snapping pics at my local market, of something I can see every Tuesday and Saturday.
Porchetta Maremmana.
Porchetta is a young pig, left with the head [...]

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Tags: Discovering Food · Food · Italy · Milan · Tuscany · Umbria

Pumpkin Savoury Tart and Seasoned Pumpkin Seeds

October 29th, 2007 · 19 Comments

Halloween is around the corner. Last year, I forced Halloween on my colleagues, by buying a pumpkin and carving it, and organized a costume contest in my office. This year, since I’ve been working so much, I may not get organized in time. We’ll see today (when my colleagues may or may not guilt me [...]

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Tags: Entree · Food · Italy · Recipe

Cultural Crossroad: What’s in a (Last) Name?

October 25th, 2007 · 32 Comments

This weekend I received an email from a friend:
Random question for you! Did you ever think about changing your name after marriage? Did you and S talk about it? I haven’t changed my name and it bothers my other half every blue moon. I’m really torn.
I didn’t say it was [...]

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Tags: Culture · Italy

Basilcello, Basil Liqueur-Liquor Recipe

October 23rd, 2007 · 27 Comments

Also known as Liquore al Basilico, this herb-infused alcohol (liquor or liqueur, as you prefer) is very similar to its more popular cousin, Limoncello. The basic steps and method are the same for making it.
I made limoncello and crema di limoncello once when I was living in California. I had a Meyer lemon tree [...]

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Tags: Dessert · Discovering Food · Food · Italy · Recipe