Episodes Archives - Page 8 of 12 - Quatro Fromaggio and Other Disgraces on the Menu

[Thoughts on the Table – 37] The Italian Wine Culture, with Diana Zahuranec

As promised in previous episodes (29 and 34), Diana is back on the show to talk about wine! Join us to discuss the differences between Italy and North America in wine production, as well as in how wine is consumed and socially perceived in the two countries. In the second part of the episode, Diana gives a roundup of Piedmont’s native grape varieties and world-renowned appellations, such as Barolo, Dolcetto, and Barbaresco.

Diana Zahuranec 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.

[Thoughts on the Table – 36] Truffle Hunting in Abruzzo with Hannah Solomon from SZ Tartufi

Thoughts on the Table is back! Join me to meet Hannah Solomon, a marketing consultant who is doing an internship at SZ Tartufi, a company that produces truffles and truffle-based preparations in the Abruzzo region of Italy.

During the episode Hannah talks about the fascinating process of cultivating truffles, as well as the fact that the best truffles cannot be cultivated at all(!), but need to be hunted with the use of dogs (as co-founder Ugo Serafini shows in this truffle hunting video).

Hannah was also kind enough to send a small sample of their products – which of course I was super excited to try! Below you can find a delicious use of them, a recipe recommended by Hannah herself. Enjoy!

Music: www.purple-planet.com.

Truffle Crostini with Asparagus Tips and Poached Eggs

Ingredients for 2 servings

2 tablespoons of White Truffle Cream
10 small asparagus
2 eggs (the freshest that you can find)
2 thick slices of bread
One drizzle of Truffle Oil
1 tablespoon white vinegar

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a very gentle simmer, add the vinegar.
Boil the asparagus for 5 minutes and set aside. Trim off the bottom part, only leaving the top 4 to 5 inches.
Crack one egg into a small bowl, then slide it slowly into the water. Let the eggs sink to the bottom on one side of the pot. Repeat with the second egg making it land on the other side. Leave the eggs undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes until the white feels solid.
Meanwhile, toast the bread. Spread the White Truffle Cream on it, then lay the asparagus over top.
Lift the eggs from the water with a slotted spoon to drain any excess liquid. Lay them over the asparagus.
Drizzle the crostini with Truffle Oil, and enjoy!

[Thoughts on the Table – 35] Introducing Valentina Lombardi from Experience Italy Travels

Thoughts on the Table is back with my friend Valentina Lombardi, announcing her new project and my collaboration!

As part of her job as a wedding planner, Valentina has been helping people from various parts of the world discover Italy and the Italian traditions. Join us to hear how her background led to the creation of Experience Italy Travels, which also features “Italy: instructions for use“, a fun section written by yours truly☺

Congrats and best of luck to Valentina and her partners!

[Thoughts on the Table – 34] The Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle, with Diana Zahuranec

Journalist Diana Zahuranec (Wine Pass) returns to Thoughts on the Table! In this episode, she walks us through the differences between Italian and American food cultures, flavors, and health – with a special focus on the Mediterranean diet.

Why this topic? Well, as she mentioned on her first episode on the show, Diana chose to write her Master’s thesis precisely on this subject following her experiences living in Italy. Since the topic fits so well with the themes of the podcast, I asked Diana to rejoin me to talk more about her findings and to bring her updated observations now that she has been living and working in Italy for over 3 years.

The publications Diana mentions in the episode are:

Eat Well & Stay Well. By Ancel Keys and Margaret Keys (1959).
The end of Overeating: Taking control of the insatiable American appetite. By David A. Kessler (2010).
Diana’s thesis: https://honors.libraries.psu.edu/paper/1467/

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.

Music: www.purple-planet.com.

[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.

[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.