Since we have all been drooling over the delicious Clams Marinara I had at Sammy’s Restaurant in Ocala, I thought it would be appropriate to post a recipe for clams and tomato sauce so we can all try making it at home! Buon Divertimento!
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We had some wonderful out of town guests visiting us this week, and so we decided to take them to a family favorite:
Sammy’s Italian Restaurant in Ocala, Florida .
It is in a strip mall and looks like a hole in the wall from the outside, but once you go inside, you are greeted with the Sicilian flag, painted murals on the walls and the wafting smells of good home-style Italian food cooking away in the kitchens.
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I am addicted to my new caffettiera, an Italian made stovetop espresso machine.
The is a really great one!
It is just as easy to use as a coffee pot, even more simple. Just fill the lower compartment with water and the filter with coffee grinds, stick it on the stove, and let the heat do the magic.
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These adorable, festive Easter breads have been a tradition in my family for as far back as anyone can remember. My great Aunt Sylvia, who was a Master Baker and originally from Abruzzi, is the one we remember as the inventor of these breads . My Aunt Carol (Her daughter) thinks it must have a connection to traditional Italian Easter Breads that were blessed at church. However the bunnies themselves were always intended for children and were never blessed at church. She is not sure where the recipe came from, but Aunt Sylvia and her sisters always made them, and now, so do we!
They are an event to make, so give yourself an afternoon to make them. They are cute and so memorable! Make them a tradition in your family too!
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I am not even sure I know exactly what a Meme is – but Sognatrice asked all of her foodie buddies to join her in this. I guess I qualify, so here it goes!

1. Can you cook? If yes do you like to cook?
I can and I absolutely LOVE it!

2. When does your whole family come together to eat?
Well we live fairly close to our relatives, so we usually get together every month for a big ol’ family dinner. But immediate family, everyday, unless there is something special going on!

3. What do you have for breakfast?
Coffee! I just got a caffettiera, a little stovetop espresso machine and it is wonderful! To go with it I normally have something bready – like toast or an english muffin. On rare occassions I will have a smoothie. Hmm…maybe I should start thinking about an espresso smoothie!
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Photos by Michelle DiPiazza and Luke Sawh

Check out this trip of a lifetime. Arrive in London, travel by motorcycle around London through the Midlands up to Newcastle, back to London. Then hop a plane to Naples and explore Southern Italy and the Islands by train, ferry and foot. This is the trip my cousin Michelle and her boyfriend Luke took this past summer and it was amazing! Luke is originally from England and our family finds its roots in Southern Italy and Sicily. So it was a “going home” adventure for both of them – one they will remember for a lifetime. Read the rest of this entry »

Buona Pasqua! (Bwona Pas-kwa)

Happy Easter!

This cake recipe will make people think you bought it at a European Bakery. It is beautiful, fresh, festive and delicious. The best part is it is SIMPLE to make!
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This is my favorite book on Italian cookery. It is a guide to all the classics of Italian food. From lasagna to risotto and tiramisu this guide features easy step-by-step directions with pictures for almost all the steps involved in the recipe. I have used this cookbook numerous times and everything always turns out the way it should. I haven’t made one recipe from this book that was not a hit! Read the rest of this entry »

Due to the large amount of interest on this topic, I have posted the article I wrote for Brave New Traveler. Some of you have already read it, but at the bottom of the article I have posted some updates which were sent to me today from Black Mesa Indigenous Support Group – the group that helped me set up my trip to the Rez, as many of you requested ways you can help.
Thank you everyone for your support on this issue, and I impart everyone to do what you can to help! Read the rest of this entry »