Cook the Book: Albaretto della Torre

I wanted a meaty dish for my Rosemary bread.

My inspiration: Fare la scarpetta. It’s an Italian saying that encourages diners to mop up every last morsel of their meal by using bread like a “little shoe.”

Sugo 'd' Arrosto

That led me back to Jeffery Steingarten’s book: “The Man Who Ate Everything.” I found a pasta dish from Albaretto della Torre that would let me mop up meat sauce with bread.
Continue reading “Cook the Book: Albaretto della Torre”

Grilling in Daly City

My guilty pleasure: Watching David Rocco’s Dolce Vita on the Cooking Network. I wish I could visit all those beautiful Italian wineries, markets and food spots. He makes life look sweet and easy in Florence.

Sometimes, his cutaway shots show the Duomo. It reminds me of my short weekend trip to Italy. It felt wonderful to take communion inside this epic cathedral.

His weekend in Chianti inspired me to try farro for risotto.
Farro Risotto Al Chianti

We also wanted to do some grilling yesterday. Farro Risotto Al Chianti paired nicely with these yummy rib-eye steaks.

Steak, herb butter and asparagus
Continue reading “Grilling in Daly City”

Bread Journal: Rosemary Bread

“Be scientific about it.”
My husband’s advice to me when I screwed up my first attempt at baking bread Monday.

This was my second attempt.
Rosemary Bread
I added fresh rosemary to my dough. My kitchen smelled amazing. My oven was so hot that it triggered the stovetop fan. It didn’t stop airing everything out until the oven cooled down a bit.

Mark said I should document my bread baking attempts. He said it may help me be more consistent with my quest for homemade bread.

Why not?
Continue reading “Bread Journal: Rosemary Bread”