Rome

Hello folks. Today, I am forcing myself out of my quarantine fog! I’d like to share a lovely recipe for sautéed calamari with artichokes. This is a simple preparation, consisting of sautéed calamari lightly coated in crispy breadcrumbs, served on a bed of braised, seasonal artichokes. A light hint of garlic infuses the whole dish. What’s not to like? My whole family loves it, including my little girl. If you are a lover of calamari and artichokes and like the idea of them together, give this recipe a try.

If you have traveled to Italy or other parts of Europe, you may have come across guinea fowl or guinea hen (faraona in Italian). I first encountered it in Italy and found it to be utterly delicious. Although it’s not very common in the USA, it’s something that I think many people would adore if they tried it. If you like chicken but are looking for something a little different, that’s leaner and that has even more flavor, consider trying it. Searching for an Italian guinea fowl recipe? This simple and satisfying recipe could be just what you’re looking for.

If you’ve been to the Jewish Ghetto in Rome, you might have come across Pizza Ebraica before. For those unfamiliar, Pizza Ebraica isn’t pizza at all. It’s actually a kind of cookie – a rather large cookie! Pizza Ebraica is a specialty from the Roman-Jewish culinary repertoire. (Which is a treasure trove of delectable delights!) It is a very rustic cookie, filled with nuts, raisins, candied fruit, oil, white wine, flour, almond flour and little else. It is surprisingly delicious.

My husband and I just had our 10th wedding anniversary this week. (Holy moly!) That coincided well with our daughters’ 8th birthday, Easter and her Easter vacation. To celebrate these very important occasions in style, we decided to go to Rome for the holiday. We spent a week there on our honeymoon, so for sentimental reasons, it was perfect. It’s also my happy place.