Known as “the longest day of the year,” the summer solstice marks the official beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the day in which the sun reaches the highest point in the sky. Around the world and throughout history, there are celebrations, feasts, festivals, and rituals for the summer solstice. It is believed that Stonehenge’s mysteries lie ...

Nozze, the Italian word for wedding, is a fabulous event. In Italy, there are many old traditions thought to bring good luck and happiness. Many traditions in Italian weddings are shared with other European cultures, but there are some age-old superstitions that involve food, unique to Italy! The Night BeforeFor good luck, brides traditionally spend the night before the wedding ...

The Traditional Italian MealAwhile back, we spotlighted the traditional Italian meal structure, which takes you through a journey from start to finish. The traditional Italian meal is about taking your time and enjoying every course. From the saying L’appetito vien mangiando, we understand that “the appetite comes while you are eating.” No wonder, from start to finish, the courses are ...

When we think of Caesar, we usually think of Julius Caesar, the Roman emperor who was assassinated by his so-called friends. In the famous play by William Shakespeare, the back-stabbing Brutus proclaimed, “Let’s carve him as a dish fit for the gods.” The storied history of Caesar salad is nowhere near as gruesome or tragic, but it’s equally as enjoyable ...

Raw food might seem like an off-and-on again trend, but there are some standby dishes that stand the test of time. Carpaccio, which began as a raw meat preparation, now encompasses a number of specially prepared ingredients, combining rich flavor and texture to awaken your appetite. If you haven’t heard of carpaccio, read on to learn more about this now-classic ...

Last week marked the Spring Equinox, bringing in warm weather and a lighter cuisine. This upcoming weekend, as we enter the new month, we start things off with April Fool’s Day! April Fool’s Day is celebrated around the world, with different cultural traditions. Did you know that in Italy, it is called Pesce d’april? In case you’re wondering – yes, …