briciole

aglio / garlic embraced by scapes

Both garlic and garlic scapes have a fascinating shape, somewhat complementary, I'd say. The black and white version highlights the elegance of those shapes. The photo above is my contribution to edition #35 of Black and White Wednesday - A Culinary Photography Event created by Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook and hosted this week by Sihi of Wandering Ladle. The photo was shot in color (you can see it in this post) and then converted to black and white. This post contains the gallery of photos submitted to the event. On this page, you can find out who is hosting the... Read more →

crema di fave e scapi florali d'aglio / fava bean and garlic scape spread

a creamy shade of green For the current edition of Cook the Books, we are reading The United States of Arugula by David Kamp (2006). I don't think I can add much to the many reviews the book has received since its publication. It is undoubtedly an important book, very interesting and pleasant to read. Kamp's book paints a complete and complex picture that helps the reader understand how certain aspects of the food world in the US evolved to be the way they are now. My perspective in reading the book is that of an outsider-insider: I am an Italian... Read more →

riepilogo del weekend di erbe aromatiche numero 335

Weekend Herb Blogging #335: the roundup [cliccare il link per andare direttamente al raccolto della edizione italiana di WHB] As the host of last week's edition of WHB, I am pleased to present an interesting set of posts submitted by bloggers from various countries. For each contribution, I will give you the official information (author, blog name and post title) and a short quote or brief description that summarizes it, a teaser that invites you to follow the link to read the relevant post. Follow me: it will be an interesting tour. Janet of The Taste Space prepared Ethiopian Warm Cabbage... Read more →

risotto alle fragole / strawberry risotto

[cliccare il link per andare alla versione in italiano] strawberry risotto Berries and risotto make a enticing duo: my risotto ai lamponi (raspberry risotto) and risotto alle more are not only pretty, but also surprising in their ability to deliver a satisfying berry flavor in a savory dish. While I was immediately successful in marrying risotto with two kinds of berries, with a third one, strawberries, I could not strike the right note. I tried three variations, but the result did not satisfy me completely, so I gave up. Last year, I learned about roasting strawberries and successfully adapted the technique... Read more →

cavolo riccio / Red Russian kale

Red Russian kale after a spring shower "Eat more kale" say nuritionists. That's quite easy for us, since kale grows readily in my little vegetable patch. So much so, that's hard for us to keep up with it. Fortunately, our local food bank accepts donations of fresh vegetables from gardens, so I can bring a bagful there. And recently, I found a use for the blossoms, but that is a story for another day. I noticed that rain droplets make pretty patterns on the textured leaves of my Red Russian kale and yesterday I was able to capture an image that... Read more →

Annuncio: weekend di erbe aromatiche numero 335

Announcement: Weekend Herb Blogging #335 [cliccare il link per andare alla versione in italiano] This week I have once again the honor of hosting Weekend Herb Blogging, an event started by Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen, and now organized by Haalo of Cook (almost) Anything at Least Once. I hope you'll join this illustrious event that week after week brings together food bloggers from around the world. The rules for participating are detailed on this page. You can download the logo on the left to add to your post. I will be delighted to receive your contribution to the event at simosite... Read more →

fantasia di fagioli / a fantasia of beans

Paul's Mix When a customer asks Paul Giuntoli what are his favorite beans among the kinds he sells at the Arcata Farmers' Market, he answers: "Paul's Mix." I interpret this to mean not only that he stands behind his signature bean mix, but also that he loves them all. Paul's Mix includes black, borlotti, calypso, canario, Jacob's cattle, speckled bayo, yellow eye beans — and another one or two varieties I can't remember now. Warren Creek Farms' organic beans are truly outstanding — and photogenic. The photo above is my contribution to edition #33 of Black and White Wednesday - A... Read more →

minestra di fave e piselli / fava bean and English pea soup

[cliccare il link per andare alla versione in italiano] a flavorful soup Fresh fava beans and English peas (a.k.a., garden peas) were among the purchases I made last Sunday, at the Temescal Farmers' Market (Oakland, CA). By the time I had finished my shopping, I had already decided they would be married in a soup. I had to laugh aloud, considering how much I disliked both fava bean soup and pea soup, when my mother prepared them. It wasn't only that I did not like either legume, but that I also had to shell them, a task hardly enjoyable for a... Read more →

mercoledì in bianco e nero: la galleria di foto

Black and White Wednesday: the photo gallery When photographing, we try to capture light, to tell a story using light. The stories below are connected to food, so they speak a universal language. Many thanks to all who illuminated my week by contributing their images to edition #32 of Black and White Wednesday - A Culinary Photography Event. And a big thank you to Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook who created the event. In my announcement post, I mentioned a surprise as a way to celebrate briciole's five years of life. I am asking you to wait a little longer before... Read more →

visita a Yosemite / visit to Yosemite

Half Dome and a portion of Yosemite Valley Every day is Earth Day (la Giornata della Terra). Yet, spending the day in Yosemite National Park made for a special celebration this year. Yosemite is one of the most famous parks in the US and rightly so. California's oldest saloon (says the sign) We spent the night before and the night after our visit to Yosemite at the Hotel Charlotte in Groveland, across the street from the saloon above. Groveland was originally a gold rush town and then became a sleepy farming community until the San Francisco Hetch Hetchy water project made... Read more →