La ribollita (Tuscan Minestrone)

Frankprimi piatti, Soups, Toscana15 Comments

Ribollita

We’ve already gone over the basic recipe for minestrone on this blog. Once you’ve mastered that, it is a lot of fun to explore the many varieties of minestrone from all over Lo Stivale (meaning ‘the boot’ one of the many nicknames Italians give to their country). Perhaps the most delicious … Read More

Stracotto alla fiorentina (Tuscan Pot Roast)

Franksecondi piatti, Toscana20 Comments

Tuscan Pot Roast

Some readers may remember last winter’s post on brasato al vino rosso, the wonderful red wine pot roast from northern Italy. Well, today we turn our attention to central Italy to present Tuscan Pot Roast. This dish, more specifically from Florence, is called ‘stracotto’, which literally means ‘overcooked’. Like a brasato, red wine goes … Read More

Maiale Ubriaco (Drunken Pork)

Franksecondi piatti, Toscana18 Comments

Drunken Pork

They don’t make pork like they used to. Modern pork is raised lean for health reasons but in the process a lot of flavor got lost. But there are ways to make up for the lack of intrinsic flavor, like this simple Tuscan method for making pork chops called maiale … Read More

Pinzimonio (Tuscan Crudités)

Frankantipasti, Spring, summer, Toscana14 Comments

Pinzimonio

When things are really hectic at work, as they are now, even a hardcore food fanatic like myself doesn’t always feel like cooking. Or perhaps you’ve had a heavy lunch or midday dinner and feel like a light dinner. Or you’re looking for something to serve an easy and convivial … Read More