Pack Your Bags
& Don't Forget Your Aprons


Italia! Italy! In whatever language you say it, the word Italy conjures up images of happy, sun-kissed Italians conversing in the piazza, celebrating another Saint’s Day and living life to its absolute fullest. Conversations, stories and tales weave together among young and old. Kisses are given on each cheek as Italians greet one another and heartfelt hugs - sometimes just for nothing - are exchanged by all. Italians are often called temperamento caldo e passionate, warm blooded and passionate, and that is why everyone is attracted to this vivacious land.

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La Festa della Donna
Women's Day

March 8 celebrates La Festa della Donna, Women's Day, a national holiday in Italy. Mimosa, the flower of the Festa della Donna, is given to women of all ages as desserts of all kind, even a mimosa cake, are brought to family and friends. It's been a tradition since 1922.

As we dust off our passports and pack our bags for another giro in sunny Italy, let me share with you a spring recipe featuring lemons. After all, every Italian is celebrating the festival of lemons right now. See recipe below.

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Follow Me To Italy
Podcast
Follow Me To Italy, is my new podcast that shares food, wine and life in Italy. You'll hear heartfelt stories, learn about recipes and experience sunny Italy with Rino and me.

Pour a good glass of vino and listen here.


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Primavera, Springtime

Primavera, springtime, in Italy means that little seeds are coming to life. As winter's long days shorten and the sun brushes our shoulders just a little bit later each evening, gardens are planted and literally transformed into brimming fields of green. There's that magic of the warm Mediterranean sun, caresses of a sea-salted breeze and hard-working weathered hands that are at it again for another season of planting. A sure sign that winter is behind us is the sight of virgin white almond blossoms cascading along hillsides. As each bud opens, a fragrant scent reminds us that this is primavera in Italy.

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The Lemon Lifestyle


The tale of winter ends and Italians celebrate the season of lemons. Italy, renowned for its exquisite lemons, celebrates the lemon season with limoncello, pasta limone and pesce al limone - to name a few.

The story of lemons in Italy is an interesting one. The precious lemon was brought to Italy by the Arabic merchants. The Arabs saw that Italy's volcanic soil and micro-climate provided the perfect conditions for growing the citrus fruit.

The lemons of the Amalfi Coast are called Sfusato Amalfitano. They are an Italian IGP product, meaning they are a protected Geographical Indication. The IGP is an authorized approval so they can officially be called Sfusato. These lemons can only be grown in the protected towns along the Amalfi Coast under very strict rules and regulations.

The Sfusato lemon has an elliptical-elongated shape and is bright yellow in color. Scratch the outer skin and a zesty lemon scent immediately releases because this variety of lemon has a high concentration of pure essential oils.

These lemons are very sacred as well - brides display them in a basket on the day of their wedding praying for fertility, artists paint them on ceramics and sarti, tailors sew images of them in linens. I call it, The Lemon Lifestyle.

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Cooking with Lemons


Tiramisù Limone
Lemon Tiramisù

Serves 10-12
In Italy, weighing is practiced in all cooking and baking. It is more accurate.
 
500 g Mascarpone
500 g Whipping cream
5 Eggs, organic
300 g sugar
Zest of 2 lemons, organic, non-waxed
1 kg ladyfingers, Savoiardi or Pavesini
1 glass limoncello
.6 L water
 
In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks with 150 g of sugar until the color turns light, almost white. Separately, whip egg whites until they form stiff peaks.
 
Mix mascarpone with the zest of one lemon and mix until combined. Again, in a separate bowl, whip whipping cream until fluffy and fold into mascarpone mixture along with whipped egg whites.
 
Gently, combine the egg yolk mixture, the mascarpone mixture and whipped cream; folding in so the egg yolks, whites and whipped cream do not deflate.
 
Meanwhile, prepare the bath by heating water, the other 150 g sugar with the zest one lemon and bring to a boil. Allow to cool and remove lemon peals. Add the limoncello and your bath is ready. 
 
In a serving dish, dip ladyfingers or Pavesini into the limoncello bath for just a moment and place as the first layer. Do not soak them too much. Spread about half of the mascarpone cream, then repeat with dipped ladyfingers, mascarpone cream (usually 2 or 3 layers).
 
Garnish with lemon zest. Chill in refrigerator for at least three hours, or overnight.

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Villa Azzurra
& The Lemon Lifestyles

Join Chefs Filomena, Fortunata and Raffaele as they lead you through authentic hands-on cooking classes using farm-to-table seasonal ingredients. Our talented chefs share their Neapolitan recipes in each cooking class, showing you how to prepare pizza, fresh hand-made pasta, antipasti, local and freshly caught fish, farm-raised meat and traditional desserts. This cooking program features the healthy Mediterranean diet and one menu infused with sweet Amalfi Coast lemons. This one-of-a-kind cooking experience, set in a luxurious private Villa on the Amalfi Coast, overlooks the pastel village of Positano and the sea.


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Cinema Italiana
Shadows In The Sun

Shadows In The Sun is an eloquent movie about a writer and his family that brings Italy to our hearts - when we need it most! This romantic funny film lifts the heart, makes you laugh and cry - while bonds are made, bread is broken and love conquers all.

Starring Giancarlo Giannini, my favorite Italian actor, Harvey Keitel, Claire Forlani and Joshua Jackson, you'll be packing your bags faster than ever to get to Italy - everyone's place for life, love and food.


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Thank You
for Reading My Stories!

Tastes of Italia Magazine
www.cooking-vacations.com/media-coverage/tastes-of-italia-magazine/ where I travel throughout Italy's 20 regions writing about food, wine, rising star chefs and all good things Italian.

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Buon Appetito!
Lauren







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