One thing I really like about growing up in my small town in the Northern Alps, is that we have many traditions linked to events throughout the year. Passing down these traditions over time hasn’t been hard, as most families have lived in my area not just for generations, but centuries. In fact, my father’s family dates back to the valley to the early 1600 – we were called da Lacco back then. So yes, it looks like I have broken with traditions by moving away. That notwithstanding, I continue to cherish many of the habits that I have grown accustomed to living in my town. One of them is celebrating Fasching, meaning Carnival, which in our area starts with today, Fat Thursday and runs all the way to Fat Tuesday, better known as Mardi Gras here in the U.S. While there are many things we do every year during Fasching, there is one tradition that is quite unique to my valley, I believe, and it involves a pot of panicia, or barley soup. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Grab that Pot of Barley Soup”
Month: February 2014
Dinner, Winner; Chicken Dinner
There are days when you feel like trying something new, and then there are days when you just hit the stove and mindlessly assemble a meal that you have already made a million times before. It seems that trying something new takes a lot longer, but it’s mostly because you have to be “mindful”, be in the moment and pay extra attention to every single step of the process. That makes it seem as if time is going by more slowly, even though it probably doesn’t take that much longer. However, when pressed for time, with little room for taking on any challenges, I resort to making a “mindless” meal, like this Mediterranean Chicken Salad. It’s a recipe from Carmel, like so many other yummy recipes we have on our site, and it is a true crowd-pleaser. Come and (mindlessly) cook with us! Continue reading “Dinner, Winner; Chicken Dinner”
Stoked for Chocolate (with Recipe)
What better occasion to talk about chocolate than this week! After all, it’s Valentine’s Day tomorrow and while I don’t eat chocolate on a daily basis, I make exceptions. And this week is one of them. After all, chocolate in itself is not bad for you. At least not when you buy the right kind and eat it in moderation. Which is why I ventured into making my very own Valentine’s treat! Come and cook with us! Continue reading “Stoked for Chocolate (with Recipe)”
From Savoy to Beijing to Napa: It’s Still a Cabbage
It’s winter, so it’s the perfect time to take advantage of those vegetables that are in their prime right now. One way is to rely on my CSA box to fill my kitchen with what’s in season. Or I channel my inner Julia Child at the farmer’s market to find the “it” veggie right now. And, if you are like me and almost done with hard squashes, winter greens, and celery root, look no further and give Napa cabbage a chance. You might think that it is just like any other cabbage, but the Napa variety is different and there are many ways to integrate this vegetable in your winter menu with a few great-tasting recipes that bring me back all the way to my mom’s kitchen. What could be better. Come and cook with us! Continue reading “From Savoy to Beijing to Napa: It’s Still a Cabbage”
Come and Cook with Us 