January 2016 Newsletter from Elizabeth Minchilli

january 2016 newsletter

Hello and Happy New Year!!! Sorry if this note is a few days late, but here in Italy the festa still continues. We’ve made it through Christmas and New Year, but still have the epiphany tomorrow. This means that almost everything just about shuts down for a few weeks this time of year. Including me. Also? Even my gym is closed! Yes, just as I was deciding I should maybe go work off a few of those panettone, I learned my gym went on vacation too. So I’ll just lean back, and take one more slice of panettone and start my more healthy menus later in the week.

Actually, though,even if my gym time is put off, I am back at work. There is something about the turn of the year that inspires me to start new projects. It’s partly the weather I know. The crisp clear days that occur this time of year in Rome energize me. But there is also the idea of starting new that makes anything seem possible. It’s also the time of year when tourists don’t visit as often. That means I’ve got practically no tours going on for the next month or two. Which literally frees up my brain for thinking up new adventures. I’ve been working on two different book proposals that I’m really excited about. And I’ve also got lots of travel plans to Florence, Venice and Naples to update my app Eat Italy

what's new

The biggest news I’m happy to share with you is the opening of our new space: Monti Kitchen. Located on the ground floor of a building on one of one of the most picturesque streets in my neighborhood, it's where Sophie and I are officially launching our new series of cooking events. And yes, I said ‘events’ and not ‘classes’ for a reason. While we will be teaching people how to cook, we envision this space to host much more than straightforward cooking classes. Food and drink will be paramount, of course, but as with anything I do, I believe that the cultural and social aspects of what we put in our mouths matter just as much. I am also a big supporter of fun, both in the kitchen and around the table. So there will be a lot of that too. It’s all a work in progress, and for now we’re offering four different experiences, with more coming soon. Read all about it here.

Sophie and I had a fantastic time this past November during our Week in Rome tour. As we lead more and more of these Weeks, we realize each one is unique. Much depends upon the group, of course, but the season and weather also play a role and make each week as exciting for us as it is for our guests. Our next week starts on March 13, and we still have several spots open. I’d love it if you could join us. Air fares are pretty cheap these days. (just saying) Also? There will be baby goats. I promise.

travels

During the holidays we often head to New York. While I love the excitement of the city during the holidays (and the dim sum), this year we decided to take it easy and stay close to home. During Christmas we headed down to Bari to be with Domenico’s mom. We did the whole dozens of fishes thing on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas itself were extra traditional with tortellini in brodo. Since the weather was beyond gorgeous we actually managed to walk off a lot of the cartellate fueled calories with long walks along the sea and in the old part of town.

I also managed one short day trip that felt like a true mini-vacation. My friend Jane and I headed to the hot springs of Terme dei Papi. It’s one of Italy’s hottest, and biggest, thermal springs. And when I say hottest, I don’t mean popular. I mean really really hot. Like 58 degrees centigrade hot. That’s 136 degrees Fahrenheit!! We made the 1 and a half hour drive and then soaked our way to bliss for about three hours. I plan on making this a monthly occurrence if I can. While you can drive up, there is also a bus that leaves from Rome every day, that goes directly there. Stay tuned for more on that, as Jane and I have vowed to check it out. Or, maybe I can convince my friend Gillian's husband to drive us, since they like going as much as I do.

videos

Here is a short video I made to show you how to make a super easy dish: sausages with escarole. It really comes together quickly, all in one pot and is great for a last minute weeknight meal. It was so good though, I ended up making it again for a dinner party. Let me know what you think.

And here is a video I made this past summer of the most amazingly talented pasta making I’ve seen in a long time. Look at how big she gets the sheet of pasta! #goals

You know how some families have traditions about what they watch during the holidays? Like Elf or A Charlie Brown Christmas? Want to know what we watch? This Youtube video of a man speaking in Barese dialect about what he is going to eat for Christmas. In our house he is FAMOUS! We watch it every year. And laugh hysterically. Sophie and Domenico can recite his entire food filled speech perfectly. This year was no different. Except for one huge detail: We met him!!! While visting a church in Bari Vecchia there was a guy sweeping. Sophie whispered to me, in English, “I think it’s him, the Barese Christmas Guy.” And before I could answer, he yelled over “Si! Sono io!”I guess we’re not the only people totally obsessed with him. He shows up in this video, at 0:43 and 1:49 But it’s worth watching the entire thing. Every single year.

Funnest video of men running in hats with feathers you’ll ever see. (watch till the end) (they really start running)

Do you have room in your head for one more Adele video? It's very short. And very funny.

And I’m videoing away over on Snapchat! Come follow me, it’s loads of fun. I’m eminchilli. I’ve been filming my tours around Rome, but also recipes in my kitchen.

what I'm reading

Ingrid Williams went to Palermo, and I want to too.

I can’t get this essay by Steve Locke out of my head. It is shameful, scary and everyone should read it.

Some things about gun control are complicated. Others are deadly simple.

I’m finally getting around to reading the books by Elena Ferrante. I’m almost done with My Brilliant Friend, and loving it. Very much looking forward to book two, three and four in the series.

and finally....

It’s time for end of the years lists and awards, and I’m very thankful to have made it onto a few.

Thank you Spotted by Locals for naming me one of the Best Rome Blogs of 2015
And mille grazie to The Culture Trip for naming me one of your Local Favorites for 2015.
And thank you all for voting for me to be named Best Food Blog of 2015 by Italy Magazine.

Rome Chamber Music Festival is offering a copy of Eating Rome if you sign up to be a sponsor. Which I think you should do anyway, book or no book.

Thank you Social Press for the great write up. I'm assuming it's nice. My Polish isn't really up for the challenge.

Many thanks to Ciao Tutti for loving Eating Rome. Even though it’s in Dutch, I’m sure it says nice things. (well, at least I hope it does)

x,Elizabeth

Please download my app, Eat Italy, Eat Italy is a free app, with guides to Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and Umbria as in app purchases. At the App Store.

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