News from Elizabeth Minchilli September 2017
september 2017 newsletter
Even though summer is always over before I know it, this year I felt like I had an extremely good, long and full season. I can’t actually believe how much I did, and how much I got done. But even though I did a lot of traveling at the beginning in June and July, the highlight of my summer was the fact that I got to spend six entire weeks at our place in Umbria. It’s been so long since I spent so much time in one place that it was pure luxury!
Much of August was spent recipe testing my book, The Italian Dinner Party Handbook. Most of the recipes were gathered over the course of the past year, traveling all over Italy. Despite the record high temperatures in Umbria (109°F!!!) I somehow managed to keep cool in our kitchen (two fans and thick stone walls helped). And I had a lot of fun working my way through all the recipes, since they were all so different and also brought back all the memories of the tastes and people I met over the course of the last year.
If you’ve been following my Instagram stories, then you know I made a lot of pasta! But also a lot of meat as well, and tons of vegetable dishes. But after this past month you know what I really crave? Sushi. Or Chinese food. Or Indian. Or anything that is not Italian! (FYI I just ran out to have a lunch of Brazilian sushi).
what's new
As you’re reading this email I’m in Puglia. I know I’ve been talking about A Week in Puglia trip for the last year…..but really, we are getting closer! This week all four Minchillis are in Puglia, researching places to stay. And by researching of course I mean staying in some darling hotels that may end up being our base of operations. I’m also hoping to get to see some of the great places that Sophie has uncovered during the last year (ceramics, cheese makers, farms, etc).
I’ll also be in Bari on Saturday, helping my friend Marte Marie Forsberg with a retreat that she is leading in Matera. She’s invited a group of 10 guests to spend time with her discussing and learning about creativity, photography and styling. So she asked me if I could show the group around Bari, which I’m very much looking forward to! It’s actually the first time I’ve taken a group through Bari. I can’t wait to introduce them to the pasta-making ladies , the fish market, and my favorite fish restaurant.
If you have been following my instagram stories during the last six week, and have fallen in love with Umbria, then I hope it’s inspired you to come visit yourself. During this past month in Umbria Sophie and I finalized some of our activities for our upcoming Week in Umbria, in October. Although that trip is already completely full, we’ve still got spaces left for our two tours in May and October 2018. Send me an email if you’d like to hear more about that.
I’m also gearing up for a huge private tour with my friend Evan that we are doing in October. A group of donors to KCRW (the radio station where Evan is the host of Good Food) are coming for a week. It’s been great fun planning a food and culture filled trip for 25 people. Although I’m more inclined to organize smaller, more intimate groups (like the upcoming ones in March and November 2018), I’m actually really excited about creating new types of events and activities that will share my version of Rome with a bigger group.
Both Sophie and I are getting back to giving Market tours here in Rome and Day Trips outside the city. We take August off because it is just TOO HOT!! But the weather is already beginning to cool off and we have lots of tours scheduled. Sophie is also organizing some new types of tours with some of her friends. We’re thinking about a new Food & Shopping Tour, which will visit some great artisans in Trastevere. Does that sound good to you?
videos
Have you discovered this youtube channel that features Grannies making pasta? Be careful, it’s addictive.
Is it just me, or does anyone else find this new Kathy Bates sitcom totally hysterical?
A year ago this week I was in Sicily spending my time making tomato paste.
what I'm reading
I’m a huge David Sedaris fan and I absolutely loved his newest book, Theft by Finding, which is basically an edited version of diaries he’s kept for the last 20 years or so.
I wish I had never finished A Gentleman in Moscow, I loved it so much.
Since it’s summer, I did my annual deep dive into mysteries. I read the latest MIchael Connelly. I’m not sure I love the new character he’s introduced, but then again, I hate change. I also started in on a new series recommended by a friend: Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series. Since he’s an Israel spy, it’s very heavy on WWII history and background, with a lot of art history and Italian food thrown in for good measure. I love the parts where he meets other spies in restaurants like Piperno’s or Pompiere in Rome.
I definitely bookmarked this master focaccia recipe and loved all the variations.
And speaking of dough….Roman Pizza Guy, Gabriele Bonci has landed in Chicago!
Back in Italy, Florence launches one of the most stupid tourist campaigns ever.
Want to avoid the crowds in Italy? Head to these small towns or these.
and finally....
My friend Rachel Roddy came to visit one day, and I made her some eggplant.
When not recipe testing I alternated between eating tomatoes and mozzarella and this salad.
I’m going to miss going out to the garden each morning to pick my Umbrian breakfasts.
I hope you've had a great summer and are as re-energized and excited as I am for the new year to start!
x,elizabeth
Remember to download my app, Eat Italy, if you are planning a trip. The app has guides to my favorite places to eat in Rome, Venice, Florence, Torino, Milan, Umbria and Puglia. And more regions and cities are coming in 2018!
And if you are coming to Rome (or even if you just love Rome) my book Eating Rome is a fun read. Lots of stories about the city I love, the markets and restaurants that feed me, and a bit about how I ended up here. Also? Lots of recipes!!!
"Elizabeth unlocks the secret door to reveal a thrilling world of Roman food." - Ina Garten