February 2017 Newsletter from Elizabeth Minchilli

february 2017 newsletter

When I started writing these monthly newsletters it was for several reasons. First, obviously, it’s a way for me to inform people about my work. In other words, like most newsletters (but maybe in a less obvious / more interesting way?) I’m selling something. In this case it’s tours, books, apps and who knows what’s next.

But another equally important reason I began this newsletter is because I wanted a different format where I felt freer to express myself in a more personal way than my books , apps and blog allowed. Because if I keep doing the same thing over and over it just gets boring for me and so gets really boring for you. I’ve loved the freedom this platform has given me. It’s become a place where I feel pretty safe expressing what I feel. For better or worse.

And so….politics. During this past year politics have been creeping into not only this newsletter, but also into my social media feeds (never my books and apps, which people actually pay for and I consider a political free zone). I realize that alienating people that might potentially be my clients is not a savvy business move. And so I try my best not be too controversial. And I sincerely am as open to other people’s opinions as I hope they will be to mine.

But I do understand that many of you look to me for a respite from what is going on in the world. And as people commented on my social media feeds over the past weekend, some of you would like me to go back to just focussing on pizza, pasta and gelato.

And I will.

But can I just share a few thoughts first? And I don’t think they are necessarily or primarily partisan political thoughts. Over the last week I have been thinking about issues that concern all of us. Issues like what it means to be an immigrant. And the fact that I am an immigrant, living in Italy, is the only reason that I’m here to report on things like pizza, pasta and gelato. And patriotism. What does it mean that I’m both American and Italian? That gives me, I believe, a special insight into food and culture that I hope you appreciate. And finally travel. Who can not be thinking of travel over this past weekend? Our ability to travel. Our right to travel. Our need to travel. The fact that you are reading this newsletter means that even if you may never get on a plane to come to Italy, you are thinking about it. You are curious about a culture not your own. Even if it means just making one of my recipes or looking at my photographs of yet one more cappuccino or Negroni. Travel. I think that is something we can all agree upon, right? And I’m looking for those things that bring us together rather than tear us apart. I hope you are too.

what's new

January and February are definitely slow seasons for me. At least in terms of doing tours. That means it gives me a chance to catch up, visiting new restaurants and writing about them on my blog and on my app Eat Italy. Lately there have been so many new restaurant openings in Rome, that it’s hard to keep up. Sophie and I visited the new ramen restaurant, Akira, last week and LOVED it. (I’ll be adding it to the app asap). We also visited our favorite Pianostrada, which used to be located in Trastevere, but has now moved to a gorgeous new space not so far from Campo de’ Fiori. And I finally managed to write up my visits to one of the most exciting new openings in Florence, Gurdulu’.

Winter down time also gives Sophie and me a chance to work on our tours. We’ve got three Week in Rome tours coming up in March, and each one is slightly different. We love changing things around to add new adventures. For instance one day we are headed to our friends pop up for Lunch and I’ve just added a visit to two Renaissance gardens for a tour in October. (Did you know that my dissertation was on 16th century garden architecture?).

We still have a few spots left for our tours in the fall. Come join us in Rome (November 12-18) or Umbria (October 22-28). And we’ve just added a Springtime visit to Umbria too: May 6-12, 2018. (just send me an email for more info)

We’ve also been working on pairing up with some of our friends to offer a bigger selection of cooking courses and workshops here in Rome. Our friend Johnny has been leading Olive Oil tasting workshops that are as delicious as they are informative. And we are about to launch a pasta making class with our friend Domenico as well as Italian Vegetarian and Vegan Cooking with our friends Paola and Stella. I’ll be posting them on this page, soon, but if you’re already planning a trip to Rome and want more details now, just send me an email.

And if you’d rather just eat your way through Rome rather than get your hands dirty cooking, no worries. Both Sophie and I are offering Food Tours in Rome in some of our favorite neighborhoods of Testaccio, Trastevere and Campo de’ Fiori. You can find out more about my tours here, or Sophie’s here.

what i'm eating

It’s winter, and this is the time of year I hunker down and cook. And this past month I’ve actually been cooking in a smaller kitchen than usual. We’re finally freshening up our empty nest. Knocking down walls, refinishing flours, putting in a new bathroom and painting everything from top to bottom. This means we’ve moved out for the month, across the street. I found I actually love cooking in a kitchen that’s not my own. Having limited pots and pans, a teeny fridge and next to no condiments and/or spices has been somehow liberating. It’s also forced me to improvise and get creative with what’s on hand. I’ve been making this cauliflower dish over and over. And cabbage has been working it’s way into everything, including pasta. And ever since we got invited to a dinner party that was centered on 5 different kinds of pate’, I’ve been obsessed with chicken livers and last week took this recipe, and substituted leeks for artichokes and turned it into a pasta sauce.

I also feel like the colder weather givses me permission to indulge in my favorite food group: cheese. If you're like me then this guide to cheese in Rome should come in handy.

Do you drink more coffee than usual in the winter? I do. Here are a list of my favorite coffee treats in Rome. (most of which you already knew about, but just in case)

what I'm watching & hearing

Often when I see a photograph of Mary Tyler Moore I think it’s my mother. Like many of my generation I sometimes feel I spent more time with her than my real parents. This is my all time favorite moment.

Looking at art is always important. And site specific art, in public places, open to all and free is a good thing to add to any itinerary.

You’d think I wouldn’t need an app to explain the sites of Rome to me as I wander around. But I love my friend John Fort’s new Walks in Rome. I think it’s a combination of his British accent and humor, with his profound knowledge of a place he calls home. (Just search Walks in Rome on the App Store. I couldn't find a direct link)

Is anyone else dancing around the kitchen listening to this album?

and finally....

A word about the recent earthquakes. Although the most recent tremors were felt all over central Italy I’d like to remind everyone that the areas effected were very localized. While the press was busy blaring headlines about damage in Umbria, it’s not all of Umbria by any stretch of the imagination. 98% of Umbria remains blissfully and thankfully unaffected. So please, if you would like to help (and I’ve said this before) please plan to travel through Umbria in the coming year. Stimulating the local economy is one of the best things you could do. You can find tons of information on my blog and on my app about where to eat in the region. Or you could always just come and join us for a week. And if you’re curious follow the hashtag some of my Umbrian friends are promoting: #TheRealUmbria on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for your daily dose of Umbria. Because everybody needs a daily does of Umbria, right?

x,elizabeth

P.S. I hope everyone is extremely impressed that I actually managed to get the February Newsletter out on February 1st!