June 2022 News from Elizabeth

Cherries, Mulberries and Cocktails

What are your personal signs that summer has arrived? I know everyone has their own way of saying ‘this is it, the start of the season.’ Could be the first meal outside? Or lighting up the grill. Maybe you’re lucky and it’s the first swim in the sea. Or maybe you’re like me and currently swimming against a tide of zucchini in your vegetable garden that seemingly grow overnight? I’m up in Umbria in the middle of a way-too early-for-the-season heatwave and am celebrating summer by moving my computer to the table under the pergola with a huge glass of iced almond macchiato by my side.

I’m a bit jealous of Sophie, since she got to spend last weekend in Puglia. I can’t be too jealous though, since I’ll be going down to Puglia with Sophie in July, for a tour. But I’m also busy planning a real vacation for Domenico and me towards the end of summer. We’ll be spending a few days in the mountains, and then a blissful five days on Lake Como. I say blissful not just because of the location, but because by the beginning of September (when we are going) I’m thinking a dose of cool mountain air and lakeside breezes will be quite welcome.

In the meantime though, I’m basking in the first few days of Umbrian heat and looking forward to my first swim in the pool . Do you have plans this summer? Are you making a ‘big’ trip, or sticking close to home?

WHAT’S NEW

I’ve just added some new tours to our schedule for 2023. They’ve already been announced via the premium newsletter earlier this week, but there are still a few spots left on each:

Puglia and Basilicata with Sophie March 13-18, 2023 Sophie would love to take you on a five-day feast through Puglia. A bit shorter than our other tours, you’ll be based in Bari and visit some of Sophie’s favorite towns including Alberobello, Monopoli, Polignano and Matera, in Basilicata.

Salento and Central Puglia with Sophie September 17-23, 2023 Sophie partners with her friend and colleague Angelo to offer this six-day food filled adventure through Puglia. You’ll be based in Lecce and Monopoli and visit some of their favorite towns (Ostuni, Cisternino, Bari and Fontana Francavilla) to explore the food, wine and history of southern and central Puglia.

Sicily with Elizabeth October 22-29, 2023 I’ve added one more week in Sicily for 2023. It’s a bit different from my other Sicily tours since we are staying in a ‘fancier’ hotel. Don’t worry, we are still based in Ortigia, which I’m always excited to share with our guests. I’ll be on my own since Sophie will be busy leading tours in Puglia, but I’ll have our good friends Alessandro, Alessia and Ben joining us for days exploring food, farms, wineries and the amazing architecture in this part of the world.

I’ve begun to collaborate with colleagues, to help them plan their own ‘Minchilli curated’ weeks. Although the tour that my friend Annie is leading is sold out, you may want to be on the wait list. And Annie will probably be doing a similar tour in Puglia sometime in 2023.

September 2022: Sicily: Cultivating a Brain Healthy Live with Dr. Annie Fenn Much like my own tours to Sicily, the week will be based in Ortigia. Read all about the tour here and about Annie (who is amazing!) here.

WHAT I’M READING

I just finished Anne Tyler’s latest book French Braid. This is the story of a loving, but aloof family, and while there is not much ‘story’ it’s beautifully written and I loved it.

Just started The Wedding Guest since I figured it’s time to switch into beach mode Jonathon Kellerman usually delivers. Not loving it. Can you guys please leave recommendations for light/compelling summer reads in the comments?? Grazie!

Ever wondered how Italians do the beach? Here’s the lowdown from beach expert Gillian McGuire.

Melissa Clark recreates a ricotta pasta we had in Sicily in March so you can enjoy it too.

Old and new things to see in Rome.

WHAT I’M EATING & DRINKING

Our cherry tree is in overdrive and luckily we are here to enjoy it. It’s always hit or miss with when the cherries ripen and whether or not us or the birds win at harvesting. This year we won! Also, thank god I bought this cherry pitter last year after I got sick and tired of using a paper clip. This thing is amazing!! Granted it’s plastic and I’m sure it will eventually give out, but for now I’m busy making jam and also pre-pitting and freezing bags of cherries so that when Evan gets here next week she can make cherry pie every day. I also just put up a big batch of this Ratafia, a sour cherry liqueur.

We’ve also got loads of mulberries and while Domenico and I have been gorging ourselves beneath the branches, popping them into our mouths before the birds can get them, I may make this pavlova over the weekend before it’s too late.

Is anyone else fascinated by the slew of espresso drinks out there? The ones where you add a shot of espresso to things like lime juice , tonic water and simply sparkling water and bitters ? I am tempted.

In my quest to make entertaining as easy as possible, my current obsession is with small bottles of pre-made Italian cocktails. Campari Soda is a classic, and pairs well with almost any type of potato chip (you saw that coming, right?) But my newest discovery is to always have small bottles of Aperol Spritz on hand. My sister, who was visiting last month, is not a Martini or Negroni girl, but never says no to a spritz. Since I rarely have a bottle of prosecco open, these little bottles came in very handy. But if you can’t find the small bottles of pre-made, here’s a recipe

AND FINALLY….

Sophie did a ton of fun events during her virtual book tour last month for The Sweetness of Doing Nothing. It’s amazing how far and wide she traveled from the comfort of our kitchen in Rome. Here are some of her events, in case you missed them:

Making Farro Salad for AMNWA

Sophie makes Carbonara for WFLA

Orange and Fennel Salad for KATU

Sophie and I chatted about the Italian lifestyle as portrayed in our books with the Montclair Literary Festival.

x, Elizabeth