copyright 2010, art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc/ Maria Liberati

What could be more appropriate than Food and the City..my answer to Sex and the City 2 (the newly released film) how to get local, fresh, inspiring food experiences while living in the city.

Even though I live in the city.. while in the USA..my country house in Italy is never far from my mind..Bunches of fresh mint and oregano  tied together with twine or ribbon decorate the halls and rooms wherever I go….just the fragrance so inspiring.. Wherever I live I  turn my surroundings into a ‘country house’ it seems to be an uncontrollable reflex I have..

As a child living in South Philadelphia with a fig tree in my backyard growing through the concrete..and tomato plants  covering every bit of  the concrete..creating a ‘green backyard’.. I can’t help but wonder if it is an inherent natural reflex of mine..you know ‘’filling a city apartment with flowers and bowls of fresh fruit and veggies from the local market

Food and the City can be a challenge-especially for someone like me who loves to eat locally,hates to eat out..loves dining al fresco…but that country house and my childhood home in  the middle of South Philadelphia are  always there in my mind to help overcome..

Here are some tips to enjoy Food and the City for those city dwellers that hanker for a country atmosphere:
*Make your kitchen as rustic as possible-think Tuscan or Italian farmhouse style. Whatever fits your budget..even if it is just one piece a rustic looking chair..perhaps an old farmhouse table you found at a local outdoor market you can refinish..or even something as simple as a picture of a country kitchen.

*Place vases of fresh mint, fresh flowers, fresh lavender to make your surroundings more fragrant..

*Use whatever window space you have  to let as much light in as possible..make your dwelling sunny and bright-using real light (saves energy also).

*Most cities have open air markets. take advantage of it..nothing says ‘country farmhouse’ more than fresh fruits and veggies..

*Eating al fresco makes any meal..no matter how simple into the perfect meal. ( don’t know about you but a slice of bruschetta and a glass of Est!Est!Est! on a warm summer evening eaten out doors is the perfect summer meal) So wherever you are make use of any outdoor space you have that could fit a small table and some chair.

And if you are really inspired become a city farmer!

Hope to see you at Wed, May 26th, Book Expo America (Javits Convention Center, NY,NY) for my book singing at 11 AM at autographing area 4. Will be signing copies of my upcoming book release of the second edition of  The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions- winner of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards

Sept 9-12-I will be appearing at the Hudson Valley Wine Festival in Rhinebeck, NY..so much great wine and food there..hope to see you there.

For more info on any of these events or any upcoming appearances email: events@marialiberati.com

To book an event email Andrea  at : events.ar@gmail.com

Visit me at OpenSky

http://twitter.com/Marialiberati

Maria

marialiberati.com

where food meets art, travel & Life!

Innamorata

copyright, 2010, Maria Liberati

I am in love with the sun … it gives me warmth

I am in love with the wind… it caresses me

I am in love with life… it makes me laugh

I am in love with flowers.. they make my mind drunk with beauty

But chocolate..I am ‘innamorata‘ ( the Italian word meaning’ to be in love’) with because of infinite  reasons and those of you who have a passionate palate will agree that dark chocolate, hot,cold ,or any temperature.. (containing a minimum of 65% cocoa) is the ultimate in comfort food!

Use some of those winter pears for this Torta Di Pere, that mixes dark chocolate and fresh pears for a scrumptious taste experience!  One bite of this and you can not help but utter  the Italian word  ‘innamorata’ from your lips

Torta Di Pere

(from The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions 2009;art of living,PrimaMedia, Inc; winner of the Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2009)

2 fresh pears-peeled, cored and cut into small cubes

5 dried dates chopped

2 tablespoons of Cognac

2 tblsps of unsalted butter

1/3 cup sugar

1 -1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

3 egg yolks

3 egg whites beaten or whisked till firm

16 ounces baking or dark chocolate (minimum 65 % cocoa)

For decoration

1 fresh pear ,peeled and sliced thinly

1 tablespoon butter melted

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons of pear or apple jelly

In a food processor place in the chopped dates and pears, and Cognac, blend well, do not liquify. In a bowl, place in  2 tablespoons of unsalted butter,sugar,flour, baking powder,egg yolks, fruit from food processor with liquid and whipped egg whites. Blend well. Butter and flour an 8 ” cake pan and pour in the mixture. Bake in an oven preheated to 350 degrees for 45 minutes. remove from oven and let cool

Melt baking or dark cocoa in double boiler and use this to  glaze  top of cake. Measure butter and melt, add in sugar. Dip thinly sliced pear in butter and sugar  and  then dip one side of pear slice  in pear jelly  and arrange as a  decoration on outside of cake with pear slices placed all around, stuck to border of cake. Place in fridge till chocolate  glaze is hardened and become……. innamorata …..

Get more recipes to make any day a Special Occasion in The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions

Visit me at OpenSky

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,

Maria