In April, I traveled to Italy to serve as a journalist for the World Pesto Championship in Genoa. This event is held every two years. One hundred participants, who had won local pesto contests from around the world, assembled at the grandiose Palazzo Ducale. With secret family recipes and techniques, most contestants brought their own marble […]
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Baking with Olive Oil Instead of Butter
Using olive oil for baking is a familiar feature of Mediterranean cooking. While it may sound a bit odd, baking with olive oil has actually been done for centuries. Baking with olive oil instead of butter gives cakes and cookies a light texture and can be used with confidence in lieu of butter or other […]
Fourth of July, Thomas Jefferson, and Olive Oil
On a recent trip to Mt.Rushmore, I saw the stunning carvings of Presidents Washington, Jefferson, T. Roosevelt and Lincoln. With three friends, we took a selfie with Mt.Rushmore in the background. I was second from the left and slanted my face upward. I was Thomas Jefferson. As we are about to celebrate our most important national holiday, I […]
Cooking with Gigi
At the age of 98, my mother, Gigi Firenze is still living alone and cooking everyday. Even though I titled this article “Cooking with Gigi” – I am usually just the clean up person. She loves cooking. It is her life and she’s quite critical of almost everyone else’s cooking. Written recipes are rare in […]
Focaccia – Quick and Easy
What you Need: 1 loaf of Bridgeford™ Bread Dough (they come 3 to a package) Extra Virgin Olive Oil Sliced onion – use about ¼ of a medium sized onion Garlic Salt or Coarse Sea Salt How to Prepare: Place 1 frozen bread loaf on a well –oiled, large baking pan (or use the […]
Why Bake with Olive Oil?
I’m often asked: “Why bake with olive oil? ” Substituting olive oil for butter is a key element for health and dietary considerations; e.g. vegan requirements, lower cholesterol needs, and removing saturated fats. Because olive oil contains vitamin E, it helps to naturally maintain the freshness of baked goods and creates moist cakes, biscuits and […]
Bruschetta: Three Recipes using NapaStyle Products
When asked by NapaStyle in Yountville, CA to participate in their Culinary Program as a guest author, I was thrilled that I could share my passion and offer some secrets in tasting olive oil and creating healthy, tasty and easy to make recipes …using EVOO and NapaStyle products. I shared how to make different variations […]
The World's Largest Frittata
Last November, during my Olive Harvest Adventure trip in Italy, I participated in a frittata-lover’s dream come true – an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for making the world’s largest frittata. The event was held in Fabro, a small medieval hamlet in Umbria, dominated by an 11th century castle and surrounded by thick […]
Pesto Recipe
The most famous of all culinary masterpieces from the Italian Riviera is its basil Pesto sauce. I just returned from visiting my cousins in Sestri Levante, a beautiful city near the Cinque Terra. Anna Maria served Trofie al Pesto. Trofie is Ligurian pasta made with flour and water, no eggs. Her delicious pasta was topped […]
Frittata Recipe
What you need: 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 5 medium size green zucchini (slice zucchini lengthwise into quarters and then coarsely dice) 1 chopped (white) onion 1 clove garlic 5 large eggs (ratio: 1 egg per zucchini) 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs Salt, Pepper, Italian Seasonings (to taste) How to […]