There is nothing more indicative of true Italian life than the fondness for espresso – so this month we test seven of the best coffee machines on the market… Conjure up the flavours of Italy and somewhere in your daydream is sure to be a sip of thick espresso, taken after lunch or during a […]
MARINA WEBSTER and husband Pete Robinson own a large property called Sei Camini (meaning ‘six chimneys’) in the foothills of the Sibillini Mountains… It’s actually two stone houses linked together by a loggia, and stands in spacious grounds full of cypress, fruit and olive trees, with a pool gazing out over two medieval villages. The […]
With the end of Mussolini’s regime came a relaxation of censorship, allowing writers publish their ideas freely. Here are three Italian authors from the era… In a time of political turbulence Italo Calvino emerged as one of the leading commentators on Italian society. As a young man he refused conscription, instead joining […]
Take a look at the latest Italian products you can find on the market this summer… Give your kitchen a dose of rustic tidiness with this new range of wooden storage crates from T&G Woodware – we especially love the bottle holder idea for oils and balsamic vinegar. This new Baroque range of storage solutions […]
Here we have a selection of some of the best Italian recipe blogs, offering some delicious ideas and fun anecdotes… WWW.TAVOLATALK.COM As well as a large selection of delicious recipes from all over Italy, this informative website also features posts on current trends and ideas in Italian cuisine. Blogger Toni Lydecker, who splits her time […]
Jessica Haden lives in the idyllic countryside near Siena as Education Director for Spannocchia, a farm bringing the ancient breed of Cinta Senese pigs back to the market… How did you end up living on the Spannocchia farm? A few years ago, my love of Italy and food lead me to Slow Food’s University of […]
We review a book on learning how to make authentic Italian fodder, a new pasta cookbook by Gino D’Acampo and two new releases from young fiction writers… Pizza Pilgrims: Recipes from the Backstreets of Italy by James and Thom Elliot, HarperCollins, £20 (hardback) This is the story of James and Thom Elliot, two brothers who […]
The Marketing Manager of De’Longhi UK explains the difference between the main coffee beans, and which one is best… A ROBUST ARGUMENT Q. There has been much debate as to which type of coffee is the best; arabica or robusta. The general consensus seems to be that arabica is far superior. Can you tell us […]
Artist Alan Reed talks about what particularly attracted him to Italy and why he chooses it more than any other country for his paintings… THE ARTIST’S ADVENTURE Q. You have chosen different settings around the world for your paintings. As an artist, what is it that particularly attracted you to Italy? A. It was my […]
With such a multitude of classic pestos adorning the supermarket shelves, it’s important to choose the best for your store cupboard. Here are our favourites… Simple and versatile, the humble jar of pesto is a staple ingredient of Italian cooking. It originated in Genoa, the capital city of Liguria in northern Italy, and has since […]