Dear Florence

April 11, 2017 in travel, writing, photography

Indeed, it isn't about the food or the place. Truly, Florence is the one place I have felt so close to beauty and never felt overwhelmed by it. Rather, it has always sent my spirit soaring, filling me with hope and bringing smiles on my face. Rome may have the power of mind and the history of greatness but Florence has the grace that captures hearts and holds them true for lifetimes. I'll take the gutters of the Florentine streets to the ravishing Trevi fountain because even these smell of metaphorical roses.

Oh Firenze ti amo!! Grazie per il tuo spirito bello.

Torta di Farro

April 07, 2017 in Dessert, brunch, breakfast, bread + pantry, Food & Drink

Spring has burst through here - in colors and warmth! The leaves are no longer shyly peeking out but bursting through with full vigor and a spirit to make a statement. And, then the flowers, gently lifting their faces and emboldening in vibrance and aroma. Running past a wall of violets in full bloom and inhaling deeply their fragrance gives me momentum and deeper spring to my step. I want to go out; I want to commune with nature; I want to find excuses to stay in the positivity of this season.

Yesterday, I was suddenly come upon an urge to bake. Perhaps, something within me wanted bursting out too. Since I am on the elimination diet, I cannot eat wheat and I do not have the access (and budget) for the other gluten free flours i typically use, like almond and oats.

I made a simple cake with farro, dates and nutmeg and topped with some seeds.

Imperfect and Comfortable

April 03, 2017 in meals, Food & Drink

Travel my dear is the real essence of life....

That is truly something I believe. And, I have been on the road more than I ever imagined for the last three months. In my own version of around the world in 40 days, I went from the comfortable to the nostalgic to the challenging to the global and back. From US to Italy back to both coasts of US to Japan to China to Singapore back to Italy to London to Ireland to North Italy and, finally back again to central Italy, my temporary home!

To me, Panzanella feels the best way to reintroduce myself back into the world of reality from the surreality of the last few months. It also brings me a whole circle to my Italian present, the dreams of my past, and the groundedness I have always sought......

Preserved Spiced Labneh Three Ways

February 27, 2017 in bread + pantry, NOURISHED Mag, Food & Drink

Handmade cheese has a flavor unlike any store bought, not simply because of the small batch and uniqueness of the process. It is as much because it was made with the warmth of hand, and possibly your own, rather than the cold steel kiss of industrial factories.

Celeriac and Parsley Root Soup

January 24, 2017 in meals, Food & Drink

This soup is a celebration of parts of a plant that is familiar yet not used in main stream. Celery stalks are often consumed as are the leaves of the parsley plant. However, the roots of both are not only edible but also full of nutrients while exuding milder notes of the familiar flavors.

NOURISHED BLOG

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