August Newsletter from Elizabeth Minchilli

august 2016 newsletter

It's the time of year again when I am finally able to just sit and look at fields full of sunflowers. Like every year, I'm up in Umbria for the month. The last few days I've been thinking a lot about how my perception of summer has changed over the years. Like everyone else, the summers of my youth were gloriously endless and full of possibility. And then I had kids, and of course things changed. But still I saw summers as limitless, and would plan huge projects for the season since there was - at least in my mind - more time. I'm not quite sure how I did it, but all of my books were mostly written during the summer months, up in the attic of our villa here in Umbria. Looking out at sunflowers.

These days, due mostly to work, we only spend August here, but I still don't think of summer as officially beginning until we are settled in for the month. And because it's not the June to September schedule that we were lucky enough to enjoy for years, I appreciate it all the more. This August is extra special since I've got both of my sisters, and their families coming to visit. Since they've had kids all three of us, with all spouses and children, have never been altogether here in Italy. Sophie and Emma will be here too, as well as my parents. I can't wait till they get here!

While the family part of summer is the most important, I've also got some huge projects going on. While I sit here looking at those sunflowers I'm also writing. I'm very happy to share the news that I've just signed contracts for two new books!! Eating Italy will be published by St. Martins and will take up where Eating Rome left off. I'll be telling you all about the great stuff I've done/seen/eaten all over the rest of Italy. And yes, there will be recipes and there will be practical advice.

The second book, to be published by Rizzoli, is The Italian Dinner Party Handbook and is the result of my decision to meld the previous part of my career - writing about lifestyle, design and architecture - with my current food-focussed scribblings. It will bring all the elements of Italian dining - food, style, history, culture - literally the table.

I am super excited about both books and I'll be sharing a lot more of the details as the projects go forward.

But for now? I think I'll just go back to staring out at the sunflowers if that's ok with you. Because, you know, I'm also Italian and we take August off.

what's new

Sophie is also taking some time off this month. Although since she is her mother's child, she can't help but make her time off productive. She is currently down in Puglia putting in time at a butcher shop in Salento. Yes, Sophie's idea of fun is delving even deeper into Italy's food culture. Remember last January when she spent a month on a goat farm? Well this month she'll be not only learning how how to break down cows and pigs, she's also busy researching a possible Week in Puglia she'd like to organize for you. So stay tuned about that.

The Week in Rome for November is completely full! But don't worry, we still have a few spaces left for the Week in Rome in March. One of the things I love about the weeks is that I get the chance to change them not only according to the season, but also to share new discoveries and passions. I am totally obsessed with making pasta these days, and so at least one afternoon will be spent getting dusty with flour. I'm also thinking about organizing some themed weeks in 2017/2018. Anyone up for a writing or social media workshop? Or learning how to be a better photographer? Let me know if you're interested and I'll start brainstorming.

videos

Here is Part 2 of mozzarella making. And it's not just more mozzarella making. It's ricotta. Because that is actually what happens to the whey left over when you're finished making mozzarella

I know I said no politics. But even though this music video was made for Hillary, it's infectiously upbeat. Which everyone needs in these times, right?

One weekend we were up in Umbria and rented a convertible. So of course I stood up in the car like a crazy person and took some videos. This one was one of the best

travels

I'm up in Florence at least once a month, updating my app, and July was no exception. My most recent trips included visits to the kinds of restaurants I usually avoid: the ones in hotels. Thankfully these two were excellent!

Even though we didn't make it to the beaches on the Amalfi coast this year, in July we took a staycation. Emma was in town from London for three days and she desparately wanted some beach, but she also wanted her some Rome. Easy. We just headed to nearby beaches each day. We went to Maccarese twice, to this darling beach club that I only know about thanks to my beach-centric friend Gillian. And we also went to Santa Marinella and of course ate here

Since our own villa in Umbria was rented out, my friend Laura took pity on us and invited us to her splendid home for one incredibly perfect weekend

what I'm reading

Don't worry. I'm not going to get into politics again. But can I post something that neither side is even making an effort to talk about?

And this maybe helps explain whey politicians are more likely to support your junk food habit

Want to know one of the hardest things about driving in Rome? Actually getting a license.

Whoa!! Did anyone else know there was a free app to help you skip through lines while re-entering the USA??

Mmm….I guess the new mayor of Torino hasn't bought my app. Her plan is to turn Turin vegan within five years. Good luck with that

I don't think I'll ever actually see the new Tarzan movie, but this review was one of the funniest things I read last month

and finally....

Can I ask you a favor? A lot of what I do depends upon word of mouth. And thanks to all of you with very big mouths, I've got a lot of people reading what I write. But there are still a lot of people out there that don't know you personally (I know, odd but true) so this is where reviews come in. When it comes to books and apps, reviews are everything. So if you've read my books or used my apps, I would VERY much appreciate any words of kindness you could leave at the following links:
Eating Rome
Eat Italy

And as a whey of saying thank you, here are some of my favorite ricotta recipes. (did you spot the pun? I am my mother's daughter) (my mom is pun-obsessed)

Zucchini, Ricotta and Rosemary Pasta
Asparagus and Ricotta Brushetta
Zucchini and Ricotta Salad
Baked Ricotta and Poached Pears
Ricotta, Raspberry and Chocolate Crostata

x,Elizabeth

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