Blog Archives - Page 13 of 25 - Quatro Fromaggio and Other Disgraces on the Menu

[Thoughts on the Table – 33] A food photography primer with Raffaella De Amicis

In this episode of Thoughts on the Table, I have the pleasure to host an extensive chat with professional photographer Raffaella De Amicis. Raffaella touches on photography fundamentals (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO), and presents a primer on food photography. Don’t miss Raffaella’s tips on lighting (such as diffusion and color temperature), composition (including Leading Lines and the Rule of Thirds), food styling and the use of props. In the second part of the episode, Raffaella talks about her Italian roots in Apulia and shares her insightful take on culinary authenticity.

You can follow Raffaella on flickr and on Twitter @RaffaLuce.

Note: the episode is packed with information and has a running time of 38 minutes – exactly like my daily commute! I hope it’ll ease your commute too 🙂

Music: www.purple-planet.com.

[Thoughts on the Table – 32] Jason’s special on San Francisco, technology and food culture

If you have been listening to this podcast from the beginning, I’m sure you will remember my friend Jason, my original podcast partner. I visited him recently in his new home in San Francisco, and I couldn’t pass on the opportunity to record a special episode on technology and food culture in his city. Join me to hear Jason’s insightful overview of various websites and apps that are changing the culture around food and that are thriving in the San Francisco Bay Area, the core of technology and entrepreneurship.

Warning: Just like in my other special with Jason, this episode also starts with me being *very excited*. Again, please bear with me as I gradually calm down 🙂

Music: www.purple-planet.com.

[Thoughts on the Table – 31] Introducing Valerie Quintanilla, an American in Piedmont

Valerie Quintanilla is a marketing professional by trade with a love for wine, food, and travel. After years of exploring Italy’s wine regions on holiday she decided to give the expat life a try making Alba in northern Italy’s Piedmont region her home. Today, Valerie splits her time as a marketing consultant, a Piedmont wine and food travel coordinator, and student of the wine, food, and trails of the Langhe area.

Join us to hear more about Valerie, her passion for Piedmont and her experience at the International White Truffle Fair which is currently taking place in Alba. You can follow Valerie on her blog, Girls Gotta Drink, as well as on twitter @valeriekq.

Mediterranean Pasta with Capers, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, and Mozzarella

This is a summer dish, but if you can find ripe cherry tomatoes, then it can be made every season. And it’s one of those pasta dishes where the sauce is so quick it can be made as the pasta cooks – my favorites when I don’t have time to plan ahead. Despite its disarming simplicity, this dish is very complete and balanced – the acidity of the tomato is countered by the creaminess of the mozzarella, and the sweetness of the tomato-mozzarella base is countered by the savoriness of capers and olives. I called it “Mediterranean Pasta”, let’s dive into it!

Mediterranean Pasta with Capers, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, and Mozzarella

Yield: 2 servings

Total Time: 15 minutes

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Mediterranean Pasta with Capers, Olives, Cherry Tomatoes, and Mozzarella

Ingredients

5 oz (140 g) dried linguine or spaghetti
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons capers (brine-pickled)
3 tablespoons green olives (pitted and sliced, brine-pickled)
9 oz (250 g) cherry tomatoes, each cut lengthwise in four
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
4 oz (115 g) fresh mozzarella (e.g. 2 medium bocconcini), diced
Salt and pepper

Preparation

Toss the pasta in salted boiling water. In a pan, sauté capers and olives in the oil.
Add the tomatoes and oregano to the pan, maintaining medium heat. Roast for 3-4 minutes.
While the pasta cooks, cover the pan with a lid and cook at low heat until the tomatoes wilt (about 5 minutes). Adjust salt and pepper.
Rapidly drain the pasta and finish cooking it in the sauce until al dente.
Take the pan off the heat, add the mozzarella, stir briefly. Serve immediately.

https://www.disgracesonthemenu.com/2014/10/mediterranean-pasta-with-capers-olives.html

[Thoughts on the Table – 30] Italians of the World – Meet Marta from Amore Mio Tours

In this episode, I have the pleasure to introduce Marta – a good friend of mine, whose experience closely relates to the themes of this blog and podcast.

As you know, I’ve been focusing on Piedmont lately: Marta was born and raised in Biella and she co-owns a tour operator business featuring Piedmont as a destination. Join us to hear her description of the region, and of the Italian traditions with which she grew up and of which she is passionate about.

After leaving Biella, Marta lived for 8 years in Vancouver (Canada), and she’s now based in Cambridge (UK). In the second part of our chat, Marta talks about the cultural differences and similarities between these three cities.

[Thoughts on the Table – 29] Introducing Diana Zahuranec, journalist and Italy enthusiast

Here I am, back from my trip to Italy and from Turin Epicurean Capital! If you followed my tweets, you know I had a great time in Turin and I loved the conference – it has been a true privilege to be a part of it.

In this episode, I have the pleasure to introduce a fellow attendee: Diana Zahuranec. Join me to hear how Diana developed her passion for Italy, decided to continue her studies in the Italian territory (also earning a Master’s in Food Culture and Communications from the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences), and eventually established herself in Italy, working as a journalist, translator, and editor for Wine Pass, an online magazine on wine and wine tourism based in Alba.

Diana is a writer, editor, and translator at Wine Pass, an online magazine (in Italian and English) on wine and wine tourism in Piedmont. You can also find her on her blog Once Upon a Time in Italy.

Turin Epicurean Capital

Turin Epicurean Capital is coming up in just a few days in Turin, Italy!

As I mentioned, I will take on the role of moderator of two international round tables where writers, bloggers, food bloggers, and food entrepreneurs will discuss the universal meaning of food and how it influenced their lives and careers.

Of course I am very excited for this opportunity, and – admittedly – terrified for the responsibility that it entails. This is far beyond what I imagined myself doing when I started this blog 4 years ago! But it’s also a friendly chat between friends… Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself 🙂

For more information, including the complete guest list and the program, check out www.turinepi.com. If you are in the area, please join us – it will be great to meet in person! If you are not in the area, stay tuned for tweets and updates directly from the conference.

Thank you for your support!

[Thoughts on the Table – 28] Introducing food professional Benedetta Oggero (Miss Bee)

Join me to hear how, after living in the UK for 7 years, Benedetta Oggero, English translator and interpreter by training, went back to her hometown – Turin, Italy – and began a new career as a personal chef and as the founder of Miss Bee, a catering business. Benedetta will be part of Turin Epicurean Capital as an interpreter and cooking instructor.

You can follow Miss Bee on Twitter @MissBeeFoods, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram.

[Thoughts on the Table – 27] Introducing Paola (a.k.a. PolaM) from ‘An Italian Cooking in the Midwest’

Thoughts on the Table is back with a new guest! Food blogger Paola from An Italian in the Midwest shares her thoughts on what’s key in defining authentic Italian food and reveals how she sources suitable ingredients in the Midwest. In the second part of the interview, Paola talks about the food of her native city – Bergamo (Lombardy), the birthplace of Taleggio and the capital of polenta!

You can follow Paola on Instagram, as well as on Twitter (@ItalianMidwest), and Google+.