October 2022 News from Elizabeth

Bresaola, Parma and Tucci

This summer seemed longer than others. I think that is because not only did I take more time off than usual, it also stayed pretty warm until just this week. While the sun is still shining, the days are definitely getting shorter and the temps are dropping. It’s even rained!! I have officially taken out my fall jackets and am very happy to stow away my sundresses for another year. I love sweater weather! Also pomegranates, pears, persimmons and especially grapes. It may even be time to switch out my vodka and gin for bourbon.

The one thing that I’m definitely not loving is how crowded Rome is these days. I know if I look back to my newsletters from September and October 2019 I was probably saying the same thing. But the last few years has made me get used to having an empty Rome. There are SO MANY TOURISTS in Rome now. Was it this crowded back then? We had friends stranded here for a few days this week due to the hurricane in Florida and there was not a hotel room to be had. I guess everyone wants to travel, especially since the dollar is so strong against the euro. Also, the weather is perfect this time of year.

WHAT’S NEW

Fall also means that Sophie and I have started up our tours again. Sophie is busy leading her market tours in Rome. Rather than just hosting private day tours, she is now planning small group tours. This is never more than five people, but it means that she is able to say yes to more guests. Which makes both her, and our guests, happy. You can find out more about Sophie’s tours here.

I’ve also added a new tour to Parma in September 2023. The tour is full for now (it was announced through my Premium Newsletter last week and sold out in about 24 hours) but if you’d like more information and would like to be added to the wait list just send an email.

Another piece of news that I’m THRILLED to announce is that the person responding to your email will be my daughter Emma. Emma has joined our team to manage all the projects and tours we are working on. She is also going to be launching our retail store which will focus on the made-in-Italy objects we all love so much. Stay tuned for more on that over the next year.

Sophie and I had a fantastic week in Sicily. You can see some short videos I posted here, here and here. We are headed to Puglia next week and can’t wait to be by the sea eating burrata, focaccia and seafood.

Even though most of 2023 tours are completely full, we still have a handful of spots left for spring 2023 for Sophie’s Week in Puglia and Basilicata . Click below to receive a brochure.

The 2024 schedule will be coming soon. I’ll be announcing it first in the Premium Newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up.

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WHAT I’M READING

This article on ‘extra kitchens’ made me so mad. It’s not that I don’t approve of butler’s pantries , but the fact that people want kitchens that are purely for show? And force their kids to make their toast in the ‘back’ kitchen? This world is nuts.

I can’t wait to read Barbie Nadeau’s new book ‘The Godmother’ which profiles the women who have run the mafia in the south of Italy. I can already imagine the mini series: The Real Godmothers of Calabria.

Currently reading Stephen King’s latest Fairy Tale which is the perfect amount of creepy with the right amount of extraordinary story telling.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

If you have never watched Borgen from 10 years ago, go back and watch all 4 seasons. Then catch up with the current 5th season which has all the same actors and characters, 10 years later. It’s such a pitch perfect deep dive into the timelessness of politics paired with issues like climate warming and war.

Loved watching this bittersweet trailer about our friend, author, illustrator and artist Vladimir Radunsky. He passed away 4 years ago, way too soon, and friends are hoping to make a documentary about his unique way of seeing the world.

Did you watch the most recent season of Virgin River? I bet you did but won’t admit it. I’m currently secretly watching Kobra Kai and totally blame it on David Lebovitz.

I’m really trying to watch and like Severance, but it’s just way too sad for me. Sad and slow. Please leave comments below to suggest what I should watch next.

WHAT I’M EATING

I’ve made a decision to try to entertain a bit more this year. This is helped by the fact that now that Emma is working with us, I have a bit more free time since she is now doing a lot of the work that I used to do. But still, I do work and realize that having friends over for dinner mid week is not an easy thing to take on. Which is why I made this little video about how to do it the easy way. (yes, it involves buying some pre made food which is perfectly fine). The one dish that I find super easy to make as a starter is a fall version of this recipe. Rather than pair prosciutto & melon, I used bresaola and apples. Here’s the recipe:

Bresaola & Apple Salad

Serves 6

• 300 grams sliced bresaola

• 2 bags pre-washed arugula

• 2 apples, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes

• 1 cup parmigiano reggiano sliced into thin shavings

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• Extra virgin olive oil

• Balsamic vinegar

• Salt & Pepper

• Aged balsamico tradizionale

Divide the bresaola onto 6 small plates, laying it out in one layer.

Place the arugula in a large bowl and add the chopped apples. Dress with olive oil and vinegar, salt and pepper to taste.

Divide the salad on top of the meat, then scatter with the parmigiano and walnuts. Top with a bit of your best balsamico tradizionale.

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AND FINALLY….

If you were looking carefully at this trailer for Stanley Tucci’s new season of Searching for Italy then you may have spotted a familiar face.

Sophie joins Stanley in Puglia!!! The first episode airs on October 9, at 9pm on CNN. We’ve heard that Puglia is the first episode to air. If so, you’ll see Sophie showing Stanley around Bari.

UPDATE: One of the readers of this newsletter, who works at CNN says the Puglia episode airs on October 23.

Make sure you’re watching!!

x,Elizabeth