Elizabeth Minchilli's October Newsletter
october 2018 newsletter
I get a lot of comments on social media about what I post. 99.99% of the comments are positive. Because, really, I'm posting about life in Italy which is mostly eating, drinking and doing things like hunting for truffles and watching artisans craft ceramics. I know that I paint a rosy picture of my life here. But I kind of consider that to be part of my job description. Yes, I do other things in my daily life that don't make it to the screen of your iPhone. I take out the garbage. I pay my bills. I also walk by not-so-picturesque parts of Italy that I tend not to capture through my lens. But for the most part, what I'm sharing is truly what I'm doing. I give dinner parties. I cook. I eat. And as you all know very well, I drink. And by putting a pretty frame around it, it's my hope that what I share injects a bit of amusement and/or distraction, or even entertainment in your daily life. I've learned over the years that not everyone shares the same political views as I do, and that's ok. I figure at the very least we can all come together around the table, right?
But the other day (it was Thursday and I understand that most people were glued to their TV sets) after posting a photograph of a lunch I attended in Umbria I received the following comment: "I find your cheery, self congratulatory posts, completely inappropriate." I'm assuming that the person who wrote this was referring to current events. But I'm not sure exactly what they had in mind that I post instead? A vase of wilted flowers? An empty prosecco glass? A somber, rain filled landscape? Nothing?
Instead, I firmly believe that the kinds of things I post about here in Italy are part of a larger picture. They provide a glimpse into a way of life that has gone on for centuries and continues. People picking grapes and turning them into wine. Families gathering around a platter of home made pasta. It's not that I don't realize that there are other things going on in the world. It's that I choose, at least here, in my forum, to focus on the timeless joys that we can all find in life.
what's new
The AFAR article mentioned in my last newsletter is out! Last fall AFAR magazine sent a journalist to join Sophie and me with our group as we ate our way through a Week in Umbria. You can read it here. The photographer took tons of great images, all over Umbria, but was able to use only a few. One of my favorites, that didn't make the cut is this incredible portrait of Sophie Pico and me. The article has, as I predicted, lead to tons of requests for our Week in Umbria tours. I'm so glad I've added an extra 2 weeks to our schedule in 2019! They are filling up fast but I still have quite a few spaces if you're interested.
Here is our schedule for Umbria 2019:
May 19 - 25 SOLD OUT
June 2-8 : 6 spots left
September 15 - 21: 5 spots left
October 20-26: 2 spots left
If you'd like to join us, just send me an email. I'm particularly excited about our weeks in June and September, which is still pretty much summer here and where we will be able to eat outside most days.
I also have some big news about our Week in Rome tours We are doing another tour with the New York Time's Melissa Clark!! Last year's tour was so incredibly successful (with a mile long waiting list) we decided to do it again. If you'd like to join us in early March, there are still a few spots left. But one thing to keep in mind: it's a special kind of week that might not be for everyone . We have decided to celebrate one of the great pillars of Roman culinary heritage: offal. Yes, that means innards. So if liver, tripe and brain are your thing, we would love it if you would join us. As many of you might know, Rome has a long tradition of nose to tail eating (and cooking) Melissa and I will be exploring the history while also cooking and eating. We're inviting visiting chefs to our kitchen, as well as planned trips up to Umbria and to Florence for the day. It's going to be an incredibly fun, unique and completely different, kind of tour. I hope you'll consider joining us on this one-of-a-kind experience, March 3-9, 2019 . Send me an email for details.
Is nose-to-tail is not your thing? No problem. Sophie and I have a regular Week in Rome tour the third week of March 17-23, 2019, where we will steer clear of all that stuff, focusing on things you'd normally associate with eating your way through Italy (pizza, pasta and gelato anyone?) Also? LOTS of artichokes!!! This is the height of artichoke season, so we'll be diving deep into one of my favorite vegetables. Send me an email for details.
what i'm watching
I don't usually pepper this newsletter with so many photographs of myself, but really, how could I NOT share this one below. Last month I received an invitation I couldn't refuse. To not only attend a tortellini festival, but to play dress up with my friend wine writer Monica Larner. I first heard about the tortellini festival when Monica was elected the Dama di Tortellini (Tortellini Queen) about 10 years ago. And I also included an entire chapter about the crafting of this little navel -shaped pasta in my book Eating My Way Through Italy. So there was no way I was going to pass up the chance to don a princess dress and parade through the streets of Castelfranco Emilia to help reenact the 16th century story of the birth of this pasta. While this video doesn't include the parade ( but I strongly suggest you attend it for yourself next year if possible) it does show how to make tortellini.
what I'm reading
Of course, at the top of my reading list is the great article that Lindsey wrote for AFAR magazine on Umbria.
Why you can't trust Tripadvisor restaurant reviews in Italy,
Speaking of Italian restaurants, there has a new ban on eating in the street in Florence (Panini gate) so here is a list of where to eat without breaking the law read this.
It finally happened: Starbucks has landed in Milan.
what i'm cooking
I've been so thrilled that my video about making cacio e pepe has inspired others to make it part of their weekly rotation. Thanks to Deb at Smitten Kitchen, this method has reached tons of her followers. Haven't tried it yet? What are you waiting for?
This recipe for Chicken Francese from Julia Moskin is pretty close to my favorite butter chicken at Sostanza in Florence. But with lemon, which is always a good addition.
I caved. I ordered an Instapot. Mostly for cooking beans. But I'm also excited to test drive my friend Ann Mah's French spin on this appliance, as well as Melissa's take. Stay tuned. (and let me know if you have any advice)
I'm also glad to see winter squash in the market again! I'll be making this, this and this for the next few months for sure
and finally....
As I write this I'm leading 30 great folks around Umbria for the week. If you'd like to follow along make sure you're following me on Instagram and watching my stories. Also, Sophie and Evan (who is leading the tour with us) will be posting lots too.
It will be just like having you there with us!!
x,elizabeth
