Glass of Fernet Branca Neat

    Amaro 101: An Introduction to the Italian Tradition of Amari

    Amari (the plural of amaro) are an herbal liquor with a rich tradition in Italian culture. Amari are popular across Italy with a unique set of flavors that range from mild and pleasant to proceed with caution and are great on their own or as a part of a cocktail.

    I navigated the tunnel-like streets of Florence to my apartment on a curvy hill across the river.

    A Florentine Christmas with Risotto

    On Christmas Eve, long ago, I navigated the tunnel-like streets of Florence to my apartment on a curvy hill across the river. The risotto we cooked is normally too simple for a holiday feast, but that night no one seemed to care.

    Plates of delicious gnocchi

    Learning to Cook Italian with Chiara

    No fantasy of Tuscany is complete without an Italian teaching me their mother’s secret recipes while we roll out dough and hang noodles on clotheslines to dry in the sun.