Last Weekend in La Spezia...

We had this!

To kick off the "Palio del Golfo", a week long celebration of the Bay of La Spezia which will be topped off with the actual "Palio" on Sunday, August 3. 

Unlike Siena (and much more civilized IMO), our Palio involves a rowing regatta with 12 teams from the various villages around the bay (including Lerici and Portovenere). Afterwards there is a big "block party" and fireworks. Such fun and I do plan to report more!

In fact, stay tuned for a whole series of blog I am going to call "Learning to Love La Spezia". The often passed over city gets a bad rap as nothing more than a jumping off point for better places. I'm hoping to change that in what little way I can.

A dopo...

A Quick Greeting from Paradise!


Yes, it really is that beautiful here! Back soon...

Buongiorno & Scusatemi

Lately all of the mornings have been looking like this (taken about 5 minutes ago!):

Warm sun, slight breeze, clear skies and flowers in bloom.  It doesn't get much better than this.

You'll have to excuse me as I seem unable to blog much these days.  

It's high season here for me which means up early, checking emails, heading off to some excursion or activity with clients, walking Lucy, making dinner and passing out.  It's all good, just draining my creative juice.

I'll be back though...promise!

La Mousse di Yogurt

I'm letting the cat out of the bag (what a stupid saying, cuz whoever put a cat in a bag?! Anyway...). My mother in law invented one of the most delicious, "leggero" and easy to make desserts to grace Italia. It's become a fast favorite amongst clients & friends alike, and I want to share it with you all so you too can "ooh and ahh" about this fantastic dolce! :)

All you need is:

• 250 grams of whipping cream (panna da montare)
  
• 250 grams of white yogurt (Mueller is my favorite here. In the states, look for European or Greek yogurt in specialty shops)
  
• 2-3 tablespoons of powdered suger (zucchero di vela)
  

Whip the cream till it makes little "mountains".
Add the yogurt and powdered sugar and mix a little more.
Serve in gelato glasses with a fresh strawberry, rasberries or mint leaves.

It is beyond good and even impressive looking. Enjoy!