Making It Hot for Winter

As even Padua gets its dose of snow and the Christmas season rolls in, I have decided to combat the cold and make some super HOT pepper spread.

From this summer's batch of plants that thrived on my very hot southern-exposure terrace, I harvested the little red peppers and made crema di peperoncino.

Plucked plants - peppers - kitchen supplies to get started

It will keep me warm as the winter progresses. Just a dab of this stuff and your mouth is aflame! Red pepper,  garlic and salt smeared on bread. Simple. Effective. Great.

Peperoncini which also provide the perfect colors of Christmas

The finished and jarred spread of... edible fire!

Just how much piccante can you stand?

As for me - a lot.

Bring it on!

Goodies from America

I saw a friend from the States last night. She brought me and other friends a goodies bag from the US. I've taken a picture of the assortment inside:


It got me thinking about what best represents our US food, and cravings, when abroad. Peanut butter is an obvious choice. Now eveything seems to be Bio. I've been introduced to Justin's brand for the first time with this packet. Maple syrup lets us dream of New England snow and bright maple tree colors in Fall. I love the tiny Tabasco sauce bottle, although I can easily find this product at Italian supermarkets now. My husband insists on using it in many recipes, including yesterday's Tuna Melt sandwich (with a kick!). The symbol of American money--our greenbacks-- in miniature containing chocolate. Ghiradelli chocolates cannot match Gianduia in the mother country. I have to admit I never ate Altoid's in all my years in America. Then since this friend was coming from CA, there's a new snack to taste: California Crunchies. I'm from the East Coast so this is a novelty. Do they sell it in Baltimore, nowadays, even though it's from the state of "Eureka!"?

I really appreciated the thought. Thank you D!

Readers, what would you put in a little treat sack to pack away from Italy, if you lived here (or do live here) and want to take over something fun? Please leave me your comments.

Lick Your Lips in New York

What should be the absolute best place to find fine Italian food products is opening today!

It's called Eataly,part of a chain that first opened in Turin, expanded to Tokyo and now is opening its doors in the Big Apple. Visit it at 200 5th Avenue, at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Broadway.

You'll be able to eat in one of 8 ristoranti, choose from a coffee in the Grande Caffè Lavazza, a delicious scoop or two at the agrigelateria, chew on a quick sandwich at the paninoteca or go for the rosticceria and/or pizzeria sections of the 7000 square meter extravaganza.

The signage will all be bilingual, with explanations about all products in English and italiano. The founders believe in the Slow Food approach which will be appreciated in the fast pace of Manhattan, I hope.

The owner, Oscar Farinetti, boasts that this location will be the Harrods of Italian food in NY. Go and see for yourself. Let me know how the mozzarella tastes: with American milk and Italian savior-faire.

For the video preview of Eataly presented by the news journal La Stampa and dated 28 June, click here. Language: Italian.

McDonald's Goes Italian 100%

McItaly

This new release is a sandwich that is being sold around the world by McDonald's for 7 weeks, using 100% Italian products: Asiago DOP, Bresaola della Valtellina IGP, Insalata Batavia, Italian meat, artichoke cream and extra-virgin olve oil.

The Italian sandwich debuted on January 27. The Food Minister, Luca Zaia (left in photo), is thrilled to have Italian tastes be promoted at such a large scale by the fast food giant. He is also happy about the Euro 3.5 bln that Italian food producers will enjoy from the massive sale of the globalized panino that uses national resources to satisfy worldwide customers from Seoul to London.

For a savory picture of the McItaly and descriptions in italiano, go to the McDonald's Italia website.

So what are Italy's slowfoodies saying about this DOP sandwich?

A Glutton for American Food!

I amazed myself the other day by my reaction as I walked down the aisles of an American supermarket after 2 years of not touching US soil. It was like I was a kid in a candy shop. Yes, there were mounds of candy because this particular supermarket, located on an American military base, had a special section dedicated to Halloween candy even though that holiday is a month and a half away. But I really wasn't interested in the candy since Italy makes better varieties, especially when talking about chocolate, for example.

My eyes bulged to see great big bags of Tostido tortilla chips and salsa, chocolate chip cookies, humus, fluffy and soft Wonder hamburger rolls, cheap peanut butter, maple syrup, pancake mix, rice pilaf, cranberry juice and root beer. I went a bit crazy filling up my cart. Even basic ingredients like brown sugar and oats were a treat to find and buy for future recipes.

I live in a land of excellent food but some things are missed here in the bel paese. A question for other expats: which foods do you crave when abroad? Do you share any of mine?

Some of the American food truely tastes good. Some has become rare to see in Europe so therefore it takes on greater importance for me. Other foods bring back memories of childhood.

At checkout, it was the best $50 spent in a long time!