Amaretti di Saronno
Amaretti di Saronno are wonderful little amaretti cookies.There are many different brands of amaretti cookies, but these are the best. They are made by the Lazzaroni family and the original recipe from 1718 is still used today. They are so simply made from sugar, egg whites and apricot kernels.The Lazzaroni packaging makes them extra special. In small quantities, they come in a lovely red box and inside, 2 tiny round cookies are placed end to end and wrapped in paper.
When you unwrap this paper, it feels like you are unwrapping a little gift. And you are. Each cookie is small, slightly dome shaped, light brown in color and has small sugar crystals garnishing the top. They are hard and crunchy with a nutty, slightly apricot flavor and just a hint of spice. Larger quantities are available in a collectible, reusable tin that bears the same decoration as the small box. There are many ways to enjoy these cookies. Italians typically eat these with fine wine, especially a dessert wine, like a Vin Santo or with caf√© and cappuccino. They also make a great topping for gelato or ice cream, when crushed. An alternative, albeit modern way to use them is to crush and sprinkle them over the top of pasta, to add another depth of flavor and crunch. Look for these cookies in your local Italian market, gourmet food store or on line. I have also seen them at the food sections of my local TJ Maxx, Home Goodsand Marshalls. They make excellent gifts, especially around the holidays… or as an alternative to wine as a hostess gift when invited to dinner with friends. How do you use them?
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La Vie en Rouge
Translation… Life with Red. I am a huge fan of wine. Red is my favorite. Ok, I am a wino! Most importantly, I am not a wine snob. And of course, if I had my choice, and money was no object (yeah, I am pinching myself right now to wake up from my dream) I would love to spend the money on excellent wines costing $30 a bottle or more. And to some people, $30 a bottle is what they do pay for an everyday bottle of wine. But, I must reserve my $30 a bottle wines for special occcasions like birthdays, anniversaries and one-of-a-kind restaurant experiences.
I drink too much wine to spend $30 every time. So, for me an everday wine is one under $10. When I find these treasures, I will inform you. It is not impossible to find them. Try looking in the bargain bins of your local wine shops. Don’t head for the cellar, or the shelving on the walls. Both of the wine shops I frequent have bargain sections.I have found a few really decent, drinkable wines for $3.99! That is not a typo…$3.99! One of my favorite bargain French red wines is a C√¥tes du Ventoux from La Vieille Ferme, which means’ the old farm’, in English. It is a wine from one of the best vineyards in the Rh√¥ne Valley in France. I have been drinking this for years and currently I am drinking a 2004. I can find it for $5.99. This is a perfect wine for just easy drinking. It does pair well with cheese and pasta. It is a blend of Grenache, Syrah, Carignan and Cinsault grapes. It is very fruity, has soft tannins and good body. It is great to cook with, and in recipes that call for marinating in wine, like b≈ìuf bourguignon, it would be perfect. You can find more information at www.vineyardbrands.com or www.lavieilleferme.com.
Salut!
Café au Lait
I consider myself a coffee connoisseur. I like strong coffee. So the notion of drinking coffee with so much milk is, well, unsettling. And the bowl, what is up with the bowl? Who drinks coffee from a bowl? The French do, that’s who!
Well, ok, not all the time. It depends on who and where you are. So, one of the first things I felt I had to experience for myself while in Paris was this café au lait. As luck would have it, my hotel offered petit dejeuner (breakfast) every morning for no extra charge. It was served in a cozy little room, overlooking a pretty little square called the Place Dauphine. My first morning, the jovial housekeeper/waitress delivered a typical French breakfast- a café au lait and a small baguette with jam. To my chagrin, my cafe au lait was served in acup, complete with handle – not a bowl. It was the color of creamy caramel. The steamed, frothy milk floated like clouds on top. The taste was so smooooooth. For the rest of the trip I enjoyed a café au lait every morning. I even purchased two white café au lait bowls in the Marais section of Paris and could not wait to recreate my version when I returned home.
Fast forward to my return home. I unwrapped my shiny white bowls and set out to make my first café au lait. But, I do not own an espresso machine. In a perfect world everyone would own a deluxe, state of the art, Francis Francis espresso machine…..in cherry red. This machine is the crème de la crème of espresso machines. My dream machine. It can make espresso, cappuccino, café au lait and more. It’s gotta be good if Giada DeLaurentiis has one on the kitchen counter of her set of Everyday Italian. Just one catch Рthey cost about $650! I can get a round trip ticket back to Paris for that! I could be sitting at Café Flore, listening to the hot air rush thru the steam tube as my milk froths up for less than $650.I have to go back to the ‘old-fashioned’ way of making one, with regular run of the mill kitchen equipment. This recipe is for one serving. You will need:
- french press, coffee grinder, frother
- Filtered water
- Strong, fresh, whole bean coffee (I prefer french roast)
- coffee grinder
- french press
- frother or whisk
- 2% milk
Start by boiling a kettle of filtered water. Rinse french press with hot water. Grind the beans to a course grind and place 4 generous tablespoons in the bottom of the french press (more if you like your coffee stronger). When the water boils, let rest off the heat for about 1 minute. Measure 1 ¬Ω cups of the water and pour into the french press. Stir with a wooden spoon to combine. Place top (plunger) on the carafe and let sit for 4 minutes (more than 4 minutes will burn the coffee and turn it bitter). Carefully, push the plunger down on top of the grounds. Meanwhile, while coffee is brewing, place 1 cup of milk in a small saucepan and scald the milk, but do not boil or burn it. When coffee is brewed, remove milk from the heat and whisk or use frother to make it light and foamy. Pour the coffee from the press and the milk from the saucepan simultaneously into the bowl so they are combined. Grab bowl with both hands and sip!
I often still wonder why the cup had to replace the bowl. I like the bowl. First, you get a larger portion if you use a bowl. You can savor your breakfast a bit longer. It is as if you are somehow embracing the warm coffee, much as you should embrace the start of each new morning. By design, the bowl encourages sipping. There is no handle, you have less control and must drink slower. The cup, on the hand, is rather cold. Your hands never come in contact with the heat and warmth of the cup. In fact, the handle stays cold‚Ķon purpose. The cup is smaller, designed to serve the ‚Äòhurry up, finish your coffee, I am running late philosophy.‚Äô When is the last time you saw someone walking out of Starbucks with a bowl of coffee to go? Never‚Ķit‚Äôs in a cup. The cup seems to represent the American lifestyle; the bowl represents the European lifestyle. I prefer slowing down, relaxing, and enjoying to rushing, rushing, gulping and running. Don’t you?
These days I enjoy a bowl of café au lait every morning for breakfast. It is part of my morning ritual. If I am running late or out of coffee beans and I grab a cup of coffee-to-go, I feel out of sorts….like something is missing. Next time you want a cup of coffee for your breakfast, fix yourself a steaming bowl of café au lait, add a croissant or some biscotti, put some Edith Piaf in the CD player, close your eyes and imagine you’re in Paris!
Bon Appétit!
Lovely Little Lucca
Lucca is a small pink-bricked walled city built on ramparts just northwest of Florence, Italy. It is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by train from Florence. Check trenitalia.com for schedule and rates. Being Opera fans, when Chris and I learned that Lucca was the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini, we decided to fit in a quick visit. Elisa Bonaparte, ‘Princess of Lucca’ as crowned by her brother Napoleon, was responsible for planting green grass, trees, flowers and other landscaping that makes up the 2.5 mile circular public park perfect for walking and biking.
It is very picturesque and as such, it’s one of the most popular spots in Lucca. Visitors can rent bikes at local shops and ride around on the path located on top of the ramparts. Along the way, you will see locals enjoying their daily passeggiata (walk) around the path. Occasionally you will pass a jogger. You won’t see Vespas as you do in other Italian cities. Lucca is definitely a bicycle town. Lucchesi (the locals from Lucca) ride their bikes to get all around town.
The ramparts can not accomodate cars. Come to think of it, Lucca is a lot quieter than other larger cities. We stayed in the Hotel Piccolo Puccini located near the San Michele in Foro church. It is a lovely little hotel. The tiny cobblestone alley leads to a small charming stone facade, with a large arched front doorway and gleaming Italian marble tiles.
The rooms are on the modern side, rather large by European standards.I was transported back in time when I opened our windows, which were large evergreen-colored wooden shutters that push out with the help of old metal hinges. Outside our window on the piazza below is a statue of none other than Puccini himself! He looks so casual. I wonder what he was thinking with this pose. Was he composing one of his operas?
For dinner in town we opted for the family run Trattoria da Leo, which is steps away from the hotel.
Even with the reservation I made we wait about an hour for a table, always a good sign. For good food, I never mind waiting, especially when there is plenty of red wine to get us through. Da Leo did not disappoint. The décor is simple and rustic. The food is all local recipes and ingredients. Ribolita and Ravioli Porciniare are two of the local favorites.
The regional olive oil pours like liquid gold and tastes clean and fruity. They have daily specials, a tourist menu and an outdoor terrace for dining al fresco. The main shopping street, Via Fillungo, is very elegant and has a large selection of designer stores, small boutiques, cafes, antique shops and more.
One of our favorite shops is Enoteca Vanni,a wonderful wine shop that also stocks local olive oil. The owner was nice enough to give us a tour of the wine cellar, which is made up of several rooms full of wine, some dating back to the early 1900′s.
We spend about an hour and a half picking his brain about Italian wine and local producers before deciding on a great bottle of red from Melini and a bottle of local extra virgin olive oil. If you have more time there is a campanile (bell tower) to climb, a Duomo and the Casa Natale di Puccini, a museum dedicated to the works of Puccini, that are all worth a visit.
We really love Lucca… for the small town vibe, the medieval ramparts, for the local food, wine and olive oil, but most of all for the wonderful memories we created, especially our time with the owner of Enoteca Vanni.
I have since recommened him to someone who was looking for a sommelier for a private wine tasting in Lucca this past summer for a large party of 10 people. They were very happy with him. And a shout out to Giacomo Puccini for being born in Lucca and for composing opera. We would not have found Lucca without you.
How it all began
My name is Robin and I live in New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley. I am not Italian or French, although most days I feel like I was in a former life. I was not immersed in European culture as a child. I did not spend time cooking with my Grandmother in the kitchen, sharing recipes, traveling around the globe with my family or museum hopping. Instead, I grew up watching my very creative mother make 3-tiered decorated cakes, stained glass lamps, macramé plant hangers, decoupage and crocheted afghans. She tore up many a spot on our lawn and driveway to create new flower gardens every year. The list goes on and on. Naturally, I was also creative. I always knew that. When I got older, we started tole painting and working together at craft fairs selling our wares.
I always liked fashion, and being that I was creative and had a good mind for business (this is the part I acquired from my father), I graduated with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, with a minor in Retail Business Management. I spent most of the next 15 years in sales and retail management fields, living in New York, Connecticut and Northern California. Eventually, I burned myself out of retail and settled back down in the Hudson Valley.
And then it happened. One day in October 2003, there was a shift in the foundation of life as I knew it. My boyfriend, Chris and I went to see “Under the Tuscan Sun”, and I fell in love with Italy. I walked out of that theater, knowing with every fiber of my being, I was going to Italy… soon. Within two weeks, I had picked dates and was well into my research.
I planned our two week ‘trip of a lifetime’ myself and we conquered Venice, Florence, San Gimignano, Lucca, Chianti, Rome and Positano. I like to discover new things that remind me of these great places that I feel changed my life in many ways. I loved everything about Italy-the gregarious people, the food, the caf√©s, the wine, the coffee, the history… the lifestyle in general.Upon return home, I missed it terribly! I was becoming obsessed, it was a sickness! The only possible cure was the obvious… another trip.The next earth-shattering moment came in summer of 2004. I decided to go to Paris for 10 days… solo. Since I went alone, I was able to observe and appreciate so many little details that I may have missed had I gone with someone else. I felt equally passionate about Paris, especially the first time I came upon the Pont St. Michel on the Seine, with Notre Dame in the background. All of the Hausmann style architecture with beautiful flowers dripping over the iron balustrades was breathtaking… and of course, the Eiffel Tower.
I enjoy traveling frequently to Europe but in between trips I like to discover new things that remind me of the culture there and keep me looking forward to returning. The Hudson Valleyis a perfect area for this since it has been growing and attracting more cultural activities and businesses. I am actually very lucky to live near the Culinary Institute of America. Many talented grads stay in the area to open their own restaurants and bakeries. There are many local shops, farmers markets, theaters, museums, historic sights and wineries. My passion for travel grew into a business when I realized that I could be helping others discover the same pleasure and enjoyment that I have found experiencing Europe and the Hudson Valley~and so Mélange was born.I continue to pursue my dream of writing and publishing my European travel memoirs. A new trip for additional research and information gathering will take place in September 2007. I guess I owe my inspiration to Frances Mayes.
My hope is for you to visit Europe and be willing to let it change you life as it did mine.
Bon Voyage!
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I offer personally customized travel arrangements and itineraries to Italy, Paris and the Hudson Valley. After a personal consultation based on your individual needs, interests and budget, I will suggest airfare and hotel accommodations, offer recommended daily itineraries or provide you with a selection of favorite restaurants, caf√©s and food markets for your area. I can arrange cooking classes, wine tasting and restaurant reservations. To arrange a consultation, ask a question or for more information about services please email me at mymelange. Bed and Breakfast ConsultantIf you are like me, where you stay is just as important as your travel destination. An unpleasant experiencecan ruin an otherwisewonderful vacation or weekend getaway. I lothe cookie cutter hotel chains. I prefer to stay in unique, special places, that are loaded with charm, not necessarily ammenities. Delicious homemade breakfasts, quaint rooms decorated with family heirlooms and antiques, big comfy beds with luxurious linens, owners that are helpful and welcoming, do their best to make your stay enjoyable and treat you like family, or better, are just some of the things I look for when when I travel.Theseplaces are out there. And I find them… within every budget. I will offer you a personal consultation in which I get a sense of your interests, likes and what type of experience you are looking for. Then based on your destination and budget, I will recommend Bed and Breakfasts from my network that meet your needs and will make reservations. I will begin to feature some of my favorite Bed and Breakfast’s, here on MyMelange.
To arrange a consultation, ask a question or for more information please email me at mymelange
Bed and Breakfast Inn sitter
As an Inn or Bed and Breakfast owner, you have a passion for what you do, and it shows. It is a very special and intimate service that you provide when you invite guests into your home. A home that you share at the outset with total strangers, but with greatful friends and happy guests for life, by the time they leave. There is lot of work involved in running a Bed and Breakfast. Even though you love and are good at what you do, everyone needs a break. A vacation, a weekend away, a family wedding… whatever the reason, you are faced with a dilemma. Close down and loose revenue and dissappoint loyal customers or deny yourself a well deserved rest and the chance to have some fun. I have a solution. I offer Innsitter services. I can appreciate how it must feel leaving your home and guests with someone you don’t know. I can tell you that I have been a fan of Bed and Breakfasts since I was old enough to stay in them. I am an extrememly warm person who enjoys meeting guests and making them feel welcome, helping them find activities and suggesting restaurants, having them leave happy and being the reason that they return. Having been involved in customer service for more than 20 years, I understand and appreciate how valuable it is to make a positive and lasting immpression on customers. Innsitting services are designed forshort term commitment, but my intention is to form relationships with your guests, and you the owner, so that my services would be welcomed in the future.I apply the same, enthusiasm, passion and dedication to your Bed and Breakfast as I would if I were running my own.
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