Congratulations to Lorrie, our randomly chosen winner of a signed copy of “Up at the Villa: Travels with My Husband,” by Linda Dini Jenkins. Thanks to all who commented on Linda’s Inner Italian Q & A.
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
One in an occasional series of conversations with those who try to “live Italian” wherever they are. Linda Dini Jenkins is a freelance travel writer and photographer and the author of Up at the Villa: Travels with my Husband (more later on how to win a free copy!). She also blogs regularly about travel and travel [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
Auguri to Mary Ann Holm, who won the random drawing for a digital copy of SimpleItaly Loves Chicken. Grazie to all who commented on the post to enter the sweepstakes. To thank you, here’s a recipe from the e-book. Rigatoni and Chicken all’Amatriciana Serves 4 to 6 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 ounces thinly sliced [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
If you love chicken as much as we do, we hope you’ll check out our first digital cookbook. This collection includes welcome ideas for family meals as well as inspiration for more special occasions. Selections range from “Antipasti, Soups, and Salads” to “Pasta and Pizza Dishes” to “Main Dishes.” How do we love chicken? [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
More than 150 countries exhibited at The New York Times Travel Show this past weekend—trying to drum up business for their homelands. According to data from program sponsor American Express, U.S. consumers are planning to spend 11 percent more on vacations in 2012 than last year. Not to dash the hopes of all those vendors [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
If you’ve done a Google search today, you already know from the doodle that it is Gioachino Rossini’s birthday. The great Italian composer came into the world in the Leap Year of 1792. Luckily for me, Martin Kettle of The Guardian did the math on just what number anniversary this is. Depending upon whether you [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
SimpleItaly is happy to support Cetronia Ambulance Corp., the recipient of proceeds from this year’s Lehigh Valley (PA) Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council silent auction at the annual Snow Ball. Sharon and Walter are offering a classic Italian dinner for six in their home. If you’re attending the Snow Ball, please bid early and [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
Cooking with style is a constant goal of mine but, recently, I got to literally cook with Style. Lehigh Valley Style magazine Editorial Assistant Meghan Decker e-mailed to ask if she and some colleagues could participate in a SimpleItaly Learn-and-Dine class. We conferred and decided to make two types of ravioli. A video of the [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
I shake my head when I see Italian polenta on a menu or magazine article presented as some exotic gourmet dish. Where I came from (that would be the wilds of central Pennsylvania) cornmeal boiled in water is cornmeal mush. Has been for a long time. American writer Joel Barlow wrote a mock-epic poem about [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel
Calling all Inner Italians in southeastern PA and central NJ! I’m looking forward to teaching a Saturday evening class (January 21, 2012) “Savoring Italian Tastes” at the charming Landhaven Bed and Breakfast owned by Donna and Ed Land. Located in the village of Huff’s Church (Barto, PA), it’s an easy destination for anyone from the [...]
Simple Italy » Simple Italy: Italian Food, Culture, Lifestyle and Travel