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[Family Recipes] Insalata Russa, A Staple on Our Christmas Table

12/10/2020

Insalata Russa, a staple on our Christmas table
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I have been thinking a lot about Christmas, lately.

It’s been a really strange year – I am being kind, 2020 – and Christmas won’t make an exception. Christmas is all about traditions and knowing that everything will be the same, year after year, but this obviously cannot be said for this year.

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Filed Under: Italian food 4 Comments

[Family Recipes] Bunet, a Piedmontese Delicacy That Smells of Chocolate and Sundays Past

05/14/2020

In this post, you'll find the recipe for bunet, a traditional Piedmontese pudding-like dessert, a real treat and delicacy
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When I was a kid, Sunday lunches at my grandmother’s were a very big deal. 

My father worked shifts, sometimes he had to work at weekends too, and we didn’t get to celebrate every Sunday together, which meant that the Sundays he was home were really special days.

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How To Eat Vegan in Italy Without Missing the Tradition: a List of Plant-Based Traditional Italian Dishes

04/26/2018

Being a vegan can sometimes be challenging when you travel. In this post, you'll find some tips and suggestions on how to eat vegan in Italy without missing some great traditional dishes.

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Traveling as a vegan can be difficult sometimes.

Vegan options are everywhere today but, depending on the place you find yourself in, the choice might be quite limited. If you are in a big city, I am sure you’ll have plenty of options, while if you are somewhere in the countryside – like where I live, for example – being vegan can sometimes mean having to eat a salad and little else.

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Filed Under: Italian food, Visiting Italy 6 Comments

[Family Recipes] Torta pasqualina

03/29/2018

When it comes to Italian Easter food, my absolute favorite in my mom's torta pasqualina, her version of an amazing vegetable pie made with ricotta, eggs, and artichokes. Her recipe is the post.

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Despite all traditions, I firmly believe that what makes festivities really special is food.

If you are Italian and think of Christmas, the smell of panettone immediately comes to your mind. You may think of the presents, the parents, the gathering but what you really crave is that slice of sugary paradise, which just doesn’t taste the same if eaten some other time during the year.

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[Family Recipes] My mom’s Christmas dessert: salame al cioccolato

12/14/2017

Every family has its own traditions for Christmas and most likely they'll include a special dish or a yummy dessert. In today's post, I am sharing my mom's recipe for salame al cioccolato, which is a staple in our Christmas and which she has been preparing ever since I was a kid

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What makes Christmas so special? Traditions. 

Every year, when Christmas comes, you already know it will all be the same as the year before: you will decorate the tree with the same old lights and ornaments, you will buy presents for family and friends and probably gather with them eating the same food and doing the same things you do every year.

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Filed Under: Italian food 6 Comments

Looking for authentic Italian recipes in English? Here are three Italian food blogs you’ll truly love

11/29/2017

Finding Italian food blogs written in English can be quite of a challenge. If you are looking for Italian recipes in English, in this post you'll find three amazing food bloggers who post genuine Italian recipes and who write in English as well.

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We have amazing food bloggers, here in Italy, publishing plenty of great Italian recipes. 

Unfortunately, these blogs are all in Italian. So, if you are looking for authentic Italian recipes in English, written and published by Italian bloggers, it can be quite an adventure.

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Filed Under: Italian food 4 Comments

A private food tour in Genoa: a perfect way to discover the culinary gems of the city

08/03/2017

A private food tour is an amazing way to discover all the culinary secrets of a certain place. In this blog post, I tell you about the tour I did with Enrica Monzani, who took us around the streets and foods of Genoa.

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Are you up for a little adventure?

I hope so because today I want to take you with me up and down the streets of Genova to discover some real food gems!

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[Hidden Italy] Antica Confetteria Pietro Romanengo in Genova

02/08/2017

In Genova, you'll find the oldest confectionery shop in Italy. It's the Antica Confetteria Pietro Romanengo, which was opened in 1814, and still produces the sweets with the same recipes of that time. Its products are amazing and the shop is a true gem hidden in the historical center of Genova.

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I’ve been in heaven, back in December. 

I am not exaggerating, believe me. Last month, I have been given the chance of visiting a place where a lot of magic – and many sweets things – is made and I felt really lucky for that.

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Filed Under: Italian food, Visiting Italy 4 Comments

10 Awesome Italian Christmas Sweets That Are Not Panettone

12/08/2016

Christmas sweets in Italy are not just panettone or pandoro: there's a huge variety of regional sweets to enjoy. In this blog post, I selected ten of the most popular Italian Christmas sweets that are not panettone, but there's more, much more!

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Panettone is undoubtedly the most typical Italian Christmas dessert. 

Born in the north of Italy, it can now be found on the table of every Italian family at Christmas. If you do not know about it, panettone (which can be translated as big bread) is a sweet bread loaf with a cupola shape, usually weighing more or less 1 kilo.

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[Family Recipes] Antipasto piemontese

08/19/2016

Antipasto piemontese is a staple in my family cooking tradition, something that is prepared every summer to be enjoyed later in winter. The recipe is super easy yet full of taste and a perfect way to bring summer with you all year.

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Cooking is not just warming food to fill your stomach when you are hungry.

Cooking is choosing ingredients carefully to prepare something healthy and tasty. Cooking is taking the time to prepare things with the people you love and for the people you love. Cooking is sharing your knowledge with others and learning something new. Cooking is making memories for the future.

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Filed Under: Italian food 4 Comments

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Ciao!

My name is Cinzia and Italy is the place I call home.

Books feed my soul, music fills my days and travelling makes my life richer. I am a day dreamer, tireless walker and believer in the power of little things.

I’ve created Instantly Italy to take you to Italy with me and explore together this crazy but “oh so lovely” country. Read More…

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