XMAS

To be honest, Christmas isn't a very celebrated time in Italy--Easter is *the* big holiday with processions all through Holy Week in some places. Some particular spots might have special goings-on for Christmas, but I don't know of any around me (Calabria); it's mostly just a time when families get together. I've heard there are some fabulous looking trees and decorations in Sicily, but around here, villages put up some lights, but that's about it.

If you're wondering about food, this will differ by region; down here many still do a traditional fish dinner (several courses) for Christmas Eve and then something like a stuffed lasagne for Christmas Day.

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Italy

Cooking/Baking with Lavender

Here's a recipe for lavender ice cream:

http://ognipiacere.blogspot.com/2007/07/whats-cooking-wednesday.html

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Home Cooking

San Marzano Tomatoes

Yes Cindy, the idea is the same; this discusses it a bit:

http://www.fornobravo.com/pizza-ingredients/san-marzano-tomatoes.html

More casual discussion in a forum here:

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php/topic,1476.0.html

Reminds me of the recent battle over "parmigiano" as well:

http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1014402007

This is serious stuff to Italians, as you might imagine!

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in General Chowhounding Topics

Going to Calabria in August

Ciao Maria, I'm in Calabria (American living here for 4 years) but I'm on the Ionian coast so I don't know much about restaurants on the other side :(

I did eat in a pretty good restaurant/hotel in Reggio once, very close to the museum, but the name is escaping me right now; the bottom floor is just a bar area and upstairs it looks like an old-fashioned tea room. I had linguine with prawns and it was *fabulous.* I'll ask around about the name and if I figure it out, I'll post again--when do you leave?

You might want to post this over at the forums of Italy Mag; a lot of Brits frequent that part of Calabria.

Buon viaggio (e buon appetito!)!

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Italy

Cherry Tomato Recipes?

My two favorite ways to use cherry tomatoes:

(1) A really basic summer sauce with basil (garlic, onion, and olive oil the only other ingredients); and

(2) Stuffed with pesto, as mentioned by ClaireWalter.

Also, you can simply freeze them (cut off stem end, put them on cookie sheets and in freezer; when frozen, take out and put in freezer bags); just take them out and defrost when you're ready to use them--although know that they won't be like fresh (can use them for stews, salsa, etc.).

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Home Cooking

San Marzano Tomatoes

If you're making sugo (sauce), these are absolutely your best choice; if you can't find them, just be sure to stick with plum tomatoes as they make the best sauce--makes a huge difference if you're using fresh.

These are also the ones you'll want to sun (or otherwise) dry if you're into that sort of thing.

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in General Chowhounding Topics

Center City Italian for lunch?

When I lived in Philly, I had two bosses who were both Italian and both lawyers (one also a judge)--one swore by D'Angelo's (20th and Rittenhouse) and the other (judge) by La Buca (7th and Locust).

I just loved when they treated as both are fabulous :)

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Pennsylvania

Saturday lunch near Franklin Institute?

You are all making miss my little corner of Philly. I lived about a block from the London Grill for a few years, and I don't really have a complaint about any of the nearby places--I definitely liked the food at London Grill the best, though, especially if you sit outside.

There used to be a little diner-type thing called the Art Museum Restaurant at 24th and Fairmount, which was quite good for basic lunch-type fair and reasonably priced. Not sure if it's still there though.

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Pennsylvania

Perugia Chocolate Festival

I haven't, although I'm thinking about going this year; you might want to post this (or do a search) over at the forums at SlowTrav (http://slowtalk.com/groupee/) or Expats in Italy (http://expattalk.com/eve) .

I know people on there have gone, and from what I've read, most have enjoyed it.

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My blog on life in southern Italy: http://www.bleedingespresso-sognatrice.blogspot.com
All about tomatoes: http://www.tomatocasual.com

sognatrice in Italy