February 2016 Newsletter from Elizabeth MInchilli

february 2016 newsletter

When I said I loved the winter because it means downtime for me, I didn’t mean this down. I’ve just spent the last five days in bed, with the flu and am ready to scream. I am not used to this being sick thing. I’m on the mend now, but still have mush-for-brains due to the effects of the fever I guess. Also? I have no appetite. Which, if you know me, does not happen. Ever. While I guess I should just relax, appreciate the enforced rest and unplanned diet, all I want to do is get back to what I’ve been working on.

Before going down for the count, I spent a glorious week in Florence. I was there to do a much needed update to Eat Florence. For years not much has changed in Florence, but lately there have been a slew of new, and exciting openings. I pretty much managed to eat my way through them all (so I guess it’s a good thing I currently have no appetite). I’ll be adding 26 new entries to my app as soon as this flu leaves the house. In the meantime, you can read about some of my new Florentine discoveries here, here and here. (And remember, if you bought the old version of Eat Florence, it won’t be updated. You have to download Eat Italy, in iTunes, then purchase Eat Florence, which is the new version, and will be automatically updated with new entries as I add them)

I’m also heading to Torino next week to finish researching (i.e. eating) Eat Torino. I’ve been going to Torino every two years for Slowfood's Salone del Gusto, and so have a long list of favorites. It will take me about a month to publish the new app, but if you'd like to follow along, join me on Snapchat (emimchilli) or else follow me on Facebook. Just go to my profile and hit 'follow'. I'll be posting lots of photos, day by day.

what's new

I’m also headed to the States this month. And while most of it is about spending time with family, I'm very excited about a dinner for Eating Rome that I’m organizing with Sara Jenkins at Porsena, in New York, on Wednesday March 2. Sara and I will be devising an extremely delicious rustic Roman menu for that night, based on recipes from Eating Rome. It will be a fixed price menu, $55, with family style dining. And I”m hoping to have some copies of Eating Rome available as well (or bring yours along and I'll be happy to sign it). I really hope you can make it!! Visit the Porsena website to reserve. And I’ll be updating more on my blog and facebook, with more menu details. But for now you can reserve your place here.

Our cooking space Monti Kitchen is officially open!! We’ve test driven the oven, unwrapped the last pots and pans, and let the Campari flow. Among the various things we’ll be doing in our space is hosting twice-weekly aperitivo lessons. Actually, it will be Sophie doing the hostessing, and she’ll be mixing up things like Negroni’s and Americano’s, while teaching you the ins and outs of preparing your own Italian nibbles. If you’d like to learn more, just drop me an email .

videos

Sophie and I had a fun time making this video. Call it what you will (Veal Piccata? Scaloppine al Limone?) Whatever. it was delicious.

I got to get behind the camera as Sophie made a big batch of Aglio, Olio Peperoncino. To find out the secret ingredient, you’ll have to watch the video.

Not only did I film this little video about Puntarelle with my iPhone, I also edited it on the phone.

If you’re like me, and have a lot of old office supplies sitting around, you’ll appreciate this video.

Don’t watch this video with food in your mouth. Because you’ll spit it out you will be laughing so hard.

Can’t stop watching these three girls sing.

what I'm reading

I’m just finishing book 2 in the Elena Ferrante series, and still obsessed with the books. I also LOVED Ann Mah’s poetic journey through Ferrante’s Naples, which appeared in the New York Times.

Finally. Someone has addressed the whole ricotta issue. What you are making at home, while good, is NOT ricotta. Emiko explains it all.

Also? Emiko has a new book out which I got a sneak peek at while in Florence. It looks gorgeous and I can’t wait to cook from it.

While in Florence I got to hang out with my friend Judy, who also has a new app out. Her’s is called Taste Chianti, and is free! So no excuse not to download it right away,

And speaking of Florence, here is Ingrid William’s report on her recent visit which includes a lot of the new places that I visited as well.

My friend Rachel’s book has just been published in the States, as My Kitchen in Rome. I have the UK version, and love it. This one has the extra added benefits of proper USA measurements

and finally....

January is awards month in the blog world. Actually? I didn’t know that either. Until I won a couple. Thank you Culture Trip and Italy Magazine for recognizing Elizabeth Minchilli in Rome!!

And many thanks to the Examiner for their long and extremely gracious review of Eating Rome

I'm all about winter salads this month. This one with blue cheese is on the extravagant side, while this fennel and grapefruit one will make you feel a bit more virtuous. And if you need something a bit more stick-to-your-ribs to fend off winter chill? There's always pasta.

x,elizabeth

Eating Rome: Living the Good Life in the Eternal City