Umbria Tour, Gift Ideas and More from Elizabeth Minchilli
december 2016 newsletter
Finally!!! Up until last week we were having lunch on our terrace, and while I know you probably hate me for complaining about that, I’m ready to get winter under way. It’s hard to think about putting up the Christmas tree when the windows are wide open and my winter coat is still in moth balls. But thankfully the temps have finally dropped, I’ve broken out my undershirts (all Italians wear them all winter long regardless of the temperature) and I’m ready to think about the holidays.
Sadly snow is probably not on the horizon. The last time it snowed was 5 years ago (see above photo), and you better believe I was out at 6am to enjoy it as long as I could before it melted. Snow is a rarity here, and seems to be getting even rarer. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t festive. Even though the Christmas market is not happening in Piazza Navona again this year (corruption) there are chestnuts for sale everywhere and more twinkly lights than ever. Now I’m just waiting for the tree to go up in front of the Colosseum.
what's new
Huge news about our Week Long Tours!!! Beginning in October 2017 Sophie and I will be offering a Week in Umbria Food Tour. We are SO EXCITED about this!!! We’ve had such fun planning this Tour since it gives us a chance to share our other home, our villa in Umbria, with you. Pergolaccio will be our base from which we will explore the wine, cheese, cured meats, pasta and other good things of the region.
During this 6 day tour (October 22-28) we'll have the time to truly explore this region, from a completely food-centric point of view of course. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll travel all over the the region, tasting, drinking, eating, cooking , learning and having fun.
Highlights of our Week in Umbria:
Visit to a goat cheese farm
Visit to the majolica artisans of Deruta
Visit to one of the most famous vintners in Umbria, Paolo Bea
Cooking lessons at Pergolaccio
Visit to 2 olive mills to see olives being pressed
Guided olive oil tasting
Dinners and lunches at local restaurants, and even a truck stop
Visit to a bakery that grows its own grain
One full day devoted to Truffles (hunting, cooking and eating)
Visits to the towns of Todi, Orvieto, Bevagna, Deruta and Montefalco
Here’s the important part: I haven’t even posted about this tour yet, since I wanted to offer it to my newsletter subscribers first. I’ll hold off on posting about it on the blog until next month, after which I think it will fill up pretty fast. So do let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send you all the details.
I hope you can join us!!!
ALSO: If you’d like to join us for A Week in Rome, I still have 2 spots left for the Week of March 12 as the 3 for the Week of November 12 . If you want to see all the fun we had during our most recent week in November you can see photos here, here , here and here.
videos
Every so often I check on my YouTube channel to see how my past videos are doing. How many views they’ve had and to respond to comments. I was shocked last week to see that my mozzarella making video had gotten over 45,000 views in just 5 months. That’s huge for me. But I guess with fame comes comments. At least on YouTube. And those comments? Hysterical!! Most people are criticizing me for pronouncing mozzarella CORRECTLY!!! They seem to think I should be pronouncing Italian words this way. What do you think?
I found myself watching this video of President Obama giving Ellen the Medal of honor over and over. And getting teary each time.
This made me cry. I"m a sap. What can I say.
But really? All I’ve been watching is this. Who’s with me?
what I'm reading
Were New York Diners part of your past too? So sad they are an endangered species.
Are you coming to Rome? Are you thirsty? Here’s a great list to keep you hydrated.
After all that ‘hydration’ you may need some caffeine.
Politics also happen in Italy. Here is a pretty concise explanation of what’s going on in Italy and why we may very well be having a new government next time you look.
If you ever doubted that the Italian lifestyle was a good one, say happy birthday to the world’s oldest person, 117 year old Emma Morano.
holiday gift ideas
I love the idea of giving kits. Gustiamo is offering a great Pasta al Pomodoro kit (and here’s a recipe for my spicy version if you need one)
And for Amatrciana you can make up your own gift box from Zingermans: Pancetta, Tomatoes, Bucatini,Olive oil, and Pecorino. And of course, here’s a recipe.
Want something a bit more permanent to remember Rome by than your digital photos? My friend Kelly paints gorgeous landscapes and cityscapes. And if a real painting is too much, I also love her cards and calendars.
I’m in love with these Tuscan cutting boards by Andrea Brugi. You can buy them directly from the site, or else look here for sources elsewhere.
And for something slightly softer, and more cuddly, there is always Tuscan Cashemere to wrap around your loved ones,
You can always give the gift of a Food Tour. Do you know someone who is coming to Rome this year? A gift certificate from Sophie or me for a food tour in Rome may be the perfect treat.
I love receiving books, and I reallly love giving them. Here are some of my favorites :some Italian (and non) cookbooks that came out this year, mostly by friends (real and virtual):
Domenica Marchetti Preserving Italy
Luisa Weiss, Classic German Baking
Rachel Roddy, My Kitchen in Rome
Emiko Davies, Florentine
Dorie Greenspan, Dorie’s Cookies
Trine Hahnenann, Scandinavian Comfort Food
Ina Garten, Cooking for Jeffrey
Jenny Rosentrach, How to Celebrate Everything
Julia Turshen, Small Victories
Nancy Silverton, Mozza at Home
Paola Bacchia, Italian Street Food
Chris Behr (American Academy of Rome) Carne
Irvin Lin, Marbled, Swirled and Layered
Elizabeth Minchilli, Eating Rome (always the perfect gift!)
And I think any of these books would work wonderfully attached to a bottle or two of essential ingredients:
Brad Thomas Parsons, Amaro
Marisa Hunt, Aperitivo
Talia Baoicchi, Spritz
Alice Feiring, For the Love of Wine
I wasn't sure where to put the next links, under 'What I'm Reading' or under 'Holiday Gift Ideas". I guess it goes with both. As we head into the next year, (or 4 or 8) it is imperative that we all stay informed. And informed by news sources that have a reputation for integrity, thoroughness and truthfulness. Now, more than ever, we need to support these precious resources. With this in mind, I suggest you subscribe to the following as either a gift to yourself, or as a gift to those you know. This expense is twofold. Not only will you have access to these news sources, you will also be helping them continue the work they do.
New York Times
Boston Globe
Washington Post
The Guardian
and finally....
Speaking of cocktails…..Are you gearing up the festivities? Looking for some new cocktail recipes? Here are some of my favorites.
And to finish off your holiday dinner, how about one of these?
x,elizabeth