Blog Feed: La Tavola Marche

Simply delicious. Ever since visiting a family-run seafood restaurant along the Adriatic we have been recreating this simple dish of roasted peppers and tuna.

Been Busy, Preparing for a Wedding....

Published on 2013-06-10 09:33:36

Another Reason to Visit Le Marche - Castello Brancaleoni

Published on 2013-06-06 05:13:26

The 13th Century castle stands small but proud, just like the people that live below it's ancient walls in the idyllic farming village of Piobbico (Le Marche, Italy). The castle was altered and transformed in 1573-1587 into a beautiful Renaissance

La Fiorita - The Flower Covered Streets of Italy

Published on 2013-06-04 10:49:41

Photos of the locals from Piobbico i Piobbichese, preparing our sweet village for la fiorita!

{VIDEO} Visiting the Vineyards & Bottling Wine in Le Marche, Italy

Published on 2013-05-28 05:25:16

Every year we visit our favorite winemakers to collect hundreds of liters of wine for guests in glass demijohns. In this short film we visit 3 vineyards and winemakers, buying 600 liters of loose wine or vino sfuso and then return to our farm to b

{Podcast from Italy} A Rare Late Nite Edition

Published on 2013-05-16 02:39:22

Long after a hard day's work in the garden and cleaning the pool we fired up the mics to record a great podcast! This week Jason and I recanted our most recent "Feel like a Local" Friday's in Apecchio (which sent us on a grappa tangent!) Then we went

Spring Peas

Published on 2013-05-12 09:13:07

Growing up on frozen peas, I had no idea what it tasted like to open a pea pod and pop fresh peas in my mouth on a sunny day. Now I savor spring days and dishes filled with spring peas; topped on crostini with ricotta, stuffed in ravioli, simply saut

Podcast from Italy: May Update & Wedding Details...

Published on 2013-05-08 05:01:46

Urbania (Le Marche) Another rainy spring day in Le Marche, our garden is too wet to work in so we thought we'd record a new podcast update on what's going on in our neck of the woods this week. We recapped the Primo Maggio pranzo/lunch and InRock a

{Video} Farm to Fork Cooking Class: Foraging for Wild Edibles & Rustic Tart Recipe

Published on 2013-05-06 06:58:22

During a hands-on cooking class at La Tavola Marche (farm, inn & cooking school) in Le Marche, Italy guests forage for wild greens in the field in front of our 300 year old farmhouse (agriturismo). Jason helps guests identify the different edibles

A Busy Primo Maggio: A Big Italian Lunch & Music Fest in the Mountains

Published on 2013-05-03 08:01:49

Labor Day in Italy is celebrated on May 1st or Primo Maggio so we thought it would only be fitting to invite a few of the neighbors that help us so much over for a lovely lunch! All the usual suspects/stars of the "A Tale of 3 Tractors" video where i

Bottling Over 500 Liters of Wine {Podcast & Photos}

Published on 2013-04-30 05:48:27

This has been another busy week - from cleaning & bottling over 600 bottles of wine to cooking classes and prepping the garden/farm for summer's crops. After we recap the week Jason interviews our first stage (Chef apprentice) about his new discove

{VIDEO} A Tale of 3 Tractors, A Slice of Life in Italy

Published on 2013-04-28 08:23:43

Coffee Break - Italian Farmer Style

Published on 2013-04-27 01:45:46

Buon giorno! Good morning, on this sunny Spring day in Le Marche! We are busy preparing the field for our summer crops and just wanted to share this slice of life photo of the good Dr. Gaggi.

Italian Butchery Course: The Whole Hog (Cinta Senese)

Published on 2013-04-25 03:00:33

Join Chef Jason and Master Butcher Carlo for an afternoon butchering a whole hog! The day starts with a tour of the farm and their 60+ antique breed of pig (cinta senese) that live a great happy life grazing in fields of fava and then move under the

Recipe: Savory Rustic Tart with Wild Greens

Published on 2013-04-22 00:00:06

This is hands-down delicious and one of my favorite ways to use spring greens!

The Week in Review: Chickens, Tractors, Butchering & a Surprise TV Interview

Published on 2013-04-21 03:22:38

It's been a whirlwind of a week with the sound of diesel engine tractors echoing through the valley as all the farmers prepare their land for summer crops. Jason 'got the memo' it was time as well and called up our friends with tractors since we don'

{VIDEO} How to Transplant Seedlings, Spring in the Garden

Published on 2013-04-19 04:53:54

Our "Spring in the Garden" series continues! A short & pretty gardening video on how to easily transplant seedlings starring our lovely friend & neighbor Caroline. In the video we are transplanting tomato seedlings for our organic farm where we grow

{Podcast} #49 - A Thanksgiving Turkey in April for Italians

Published on 2013-04-17 04:12:20

Ahhh Spring has finally sprung! This week we answer your listener questions about what we do in our down-time and off-season. We're picking wild spring greens almost daily from the fields surrounding our farm and making risotto, stuffed pasta, cro

{Video} From Pig to Pancetta

Published on 2013-04-13 07:48:07

A short film on butchery & charcuterie in Italy. A visit to Carlo & Gigia's cinta senese (antique breed) pig farm outside Urbino (Le Marche) we butcher a pig and make cured pancetta.Music by Fats Waller "All that Meat and No Potatoes"For information

Identifying & Eating Wild Greens

Published on 2013-04-12 08:09:51

Eat your wild greens!

Pizza 101: Pizza Dough Recipe & Podcast on Making Pizza in a Wood Burning Oven

Published on 2013-04-09 03:24:45

The pizza dough recipe from our weekly pizza nights & cooking classes!

Baking with Wine: Rustic Apple & Pine Nut Roll ~ La Rocciata

Published on 2013-04-04 06:58:19

If you like to cook/bake with wine, olive oil & sambuca - this is the dessert for you! A favorite dessert at our farmhouse is la rocciata - a rustic apple roll stuffed with pine nuts, walnuts, cinnamon & golden raisins. Don't me mislead - the tra

{Podcast from Italy} Interview with Dr. Rakotz on the Mediterranean Diet & Italy's Secret to Longevity

Published on 2013-04-03 03:37:53

This week we foraged for wild radicchio with our guests & made crostini, pasta and risotto with the greens we picked in the fields surrounding our farmhouse. Hopefully it will dry out a bit and next week snip young stinging nettle to fill ravioli.

Happy Easter - Buona Pasqua

Published on 2013-03-30 12:46:33

Spring Truffle Hunting with The Perennial Plate

Published on 2013-03-26 05:14:37

{Podcast from Italy} #45 - Preparing for Easter & Recipes Ideas

Published on 2013-03-18 10:42:31

During a blustery windy day Jason & Ashley test out their new audio equipment and chat about 3 days til guests arrive, corned beef for St. Patty's Day and starting seeds for the garden (Watch our *VIDEO*: How to Start Heirloom Tomato Seeds) all th

VIDEO: Starting Heirloom Tomato Seedlings, Spring in the Garden

Published on 2013-03-15 07:25:03

In our latest video we show how to start seeds from a packet. Jason & our friend Caroline start heirloom tomato seeds (about 12 varieties) for our farm in Le Marche, Italy.

Spit Roasted with Flaming Pork Fat...Do I have you attention?!

Published on 2013-03-12 12:52:49

"Your house smells like campfire pork fat. I like it!" my girlfriend Theresa recently told Jason and I. Well it's one of the best compliments you can hear as a Chef! It could be we are always grilling and cooking in the kitchen fireplace. The spit ro

Lavender + Orange Cake = Love at First Bite

Published on 2013-03-07 03:48:19

The perfect balance of orange & lavender makes for an absolutely heavenly cake that it is quick & easy to make! Each year I add a few more lavender plants around the pool but never really knew what to do with the fragrant flowers. Sure, I drie

3 Recipes for Sicilian Blood Oranges

Published on 2013-03-07 00:00:12

Smarter Travel: 10 Athentic Ways to Travel Like a Local

Published on 2013-03-05 04:53:43

Pizza Night at La Tavola Marche, a mix of locals & guests from around the world dine together under the stars.

{Podacast from Italy} #43 - Recipe for our Beloved Blood Orange Liquor & 2013 Calendar of Events at our Cooking School

Published on 2013-03-02 01:10:22

{Photos} A Snowy Night in Le Marche

Published on 2013-02-24 02:36:11

Last night's snow was beautiful! We grabbed the camera, tripod and a flashlight and trudged into the storm, capturing a few cool images of our front yard and farmhouse in the falling snow.

{Podcast from Italy} #42 - The Mindset of Moving to (& Living in) Italy

Published on 2013-02-22 09:34:39

This week's podcast is for those of you contemplating a move to Italy & have a million questions about what to do, where to begin and how to wrap your head around it all!!

Amatriciana - Pasta Porky Goodness

Published on 2013-02-21 03:29:49

Amatriciana is a simple, delicious sauce you can make while the water for your pasta is boiling! Move over regular old ragu because this savory porky tomato sauce is my favorite go-to winter sugo (pasta sauce)!

{Podcast from Italy} #41 - Recorded at Sea

Published on 2013-02-14 01:26:22

We've recorded our podcast while on a boat floating along Adriatic & Ionian Sea heading to Greece! No breaking news

Norcia: A Land of Pork, Butchers, Boar and Truffles

Published on 2013-02-06 08:35:34

We recently spent a night in Norcia (Umbria) a land famous for it's pork, butchers, wild boar and truffles. (Not so different from our neck of the woods in Le Marche.) Just over two hours from Rome (and about two hour from our farmhouse) time seems t

{Video: Un Caffè Italiano} How to Use a Moka

Published on 2013-02-02 06:39:20

What's the best part of waking up in Italy? A proper Italian caffè! This short film shows you how to use and clean for a Moka to make Italian coffee (caffè, macchiato & cappuccino) at home. The Moka is the most widely used home coffee maker in Ital

Sunset in Le Marche {Photos}

Published on 2013-02-01 12:26:20

I just simply wanted to share the spectacular colors of last night's sunset. Yesterday, we spent the day at our friend's Carlo & Gigia farm outside of Urbino butchering & processing 3 cinta sinese pigs. Our hard work was rewarded with a delicious din

Every Friday Feel Like a Local: Market Trip, Beer Tasting & Lunch at the Hunters Hideaway

Published on 2013-01-25 01:09:22

Brighten Up Winter with a Beet Citrus Salad

Published on 2013-01-22 07:41:21

Brighten your bleak winter days with this colorful healthy salad of beets, citrus and whatever you've got!

{Podcast from Italy] New Episode: Day trip to Ostra & the Restaurant Convention in Rimini

Published on 2013-01-20 09:03:28

During the winter we try to take lots of day trips - we've recently visited a restaurant convention of sorts in Rimini (filled with tasty samples & expensive equipment) and took a step back in time in Ostra (with a visit to a woodworking shop/museu

{Short Video} A Lesson in Italian Salami & Sausage Making

Published on 2013-01-18 05:10:55

Two Italians from Le Marche (Vittorio & Dott. Gaggi) make 40 kilos of salami and sausages for curing in this short fun video!

Fresh Baked: It's All About Consistency.

Published on 2013-01-12 04:52:38

(Photo chosen by our facebook fans!!) An update on Jason's trials & tribulations of bread baking in a cold stone farmhouse now that he is up to bake number 15: It's all about consistency. One time it will look great, the next OK and then not s

Charcuterie Season Has Begun! {New Podcast Episode}

Published on 2013-01-09 05:56:29

The first thirty kilos of sausages and salami hang from the rafters in our farmhouse, meat-curing season has officially begun!

Peposo: Peppered Lamb Stew, Slow Cooked in a Wood Oven

Published on 2013-01-06 05:40:26

A proper Sunday night stew, rich peppery Peposo. An Italian dish, peposo translates to "peppered" and can be made with any type of tough-cut meat with a bone. In this recipe we use leg of lamb cut into thick steaks but you could also use pork shoulde

Our "Podcast from Italy" in the Top 5 on iTunes! {New Episode: Living in Small Town Italy}

Published on 2013-01-02 09:26:07

Happy New Year -

Indulge Before Your New Year's Resolution Begins with Profiteroles & Chantilly Cream

Published on 2012-12-30 06:07:05

Fresh Baked: The Bread is Rising

Published on 2012-12-26 04:19:30

An update on Jason's winter project of bread baking with a natural starter. The latest loaves are spot on! So here's what's changed, in Jason words (a cook who hates to measure precisely): I controlled everything a lot better especially the temperatu

Merry Everything

Published on 2012-12-24 00:53:23

'Tis the season for chopping wood, cracklings fires, baking bread, slow roasted meats and rich buttery desserts! Holiday Greetings from your friends in snowy Le Marche, Italy Auguri ~ Ashley & Jason Bartner

Christmas in Italy = Cappelletti in Brodo

Published on 2012-12-21 04:05:09

Christmas celebrated in Le Marche, Italy is not complete without a heart-warming bowl of cappelletti in brodo or little stuffed hats in broth. I was once told is a dish served for only those you love because it takes so much time & patience to make!

Fresh Baked: The trials & tribulations of baking bread in a cold stone farmhouse

Published on 2012-12-16 00:00:07

Podcast from Italy: A Trip to Rome & Norica

Published on 2012-12-12 04:23:21

The Hunter's Hideaway {Eating Out in Le Marche}

Published on 2012-12-08 23:00:08

So where do we like to go when Jason wants a night off from cooking? If it's not to the sea for fish then it's the 'hunter's hideaway' high up in the hills above neighboring Apecchio.

{Featured In}Tastes of Italia: Holiday Feasts in Le Marche

Published on 2012-12-07 05:45:37

The November/December 2013 issue of Tastes of Italia includes a lovely article about Jason and I living in Le Marche during the holidays and a few of our tried and true Christmas recipes.

Podcast from Italy: A rainy day Thanksgiving recap with tips on cooking risotto & a secret hunter’s hideaway for lunch

Published on 2012-12-01 01:00:10

A rainy day podcast, we recap Thanksgiving and helping a neighbor build a greenhouse. As usual the conversation turns to food with an update on Jason's bread starter, born and raised here in Le Marche plus talks of a 'secret' lunch spot, the hunte

I ❤ Roasted Root Vegetables {Heirloom Beets & Carrots}

Published on 2012-11-28 10:36:30

Instead of boring ol' potatoes why not try something different and roast root vegetables.

It's that time of year...

Published on 2012-11-22 03:10:50

It's not all sunny days, cock-a-doodle doo's and farm fresh eggs when raising chickens on a farm, there is the cold hard truth, death is inevitable. Either by our hands or the teeth of a wild beast our hens meet their demise every winter. I know I am

{New Episode} Podcast from Italy: The Dirty Part of Country Life & Turkey Talk

Published on 2012-11-19 09:02:39

Still smiling at the end of another crazy season! This week we chat about closing down the house for winter now that the guests are gone, road tripping through Europe and the dirty deed of slaughtering chickens. Then we turn the conversation to T

The Best Thanksgiving Recipes from the Best Bloggers

Published on 2012-11-18 01:00:03

It's not too late to finalize your Thanksgiving menu with some drool-worthy recipes in The Best Thanksgiving Recipes from The Best Bloggers!

Gorgeous on your Plate: Pumpkin Risotto

Published on 2012-11-17 01:39:16

From Vine to Glass: The Grape Harvest Photos

Published on 2012-11-04 02:56:52

Pasta with Wild Chanterelle Mushrooms

Published on 2012-11-02 11:19:48

Festival Photos & Podcast from Italy is BACK! {How to Cook with Truffles}

Published on 2012-10-28 03:22:15

After a summer hiatus, we are back chatting about life in Le Marche on their farm. This week: "What Grows Together Goes Together" Jason talks about cooking seasonally and shares a seasonal truffle recipe, answering the question: "How do you cook truffles?" We talk about local festivals like the "Sturgis of Italy" and the truffle festivals in Le Marche throughout November, making fresh sausages for the hunters and beginning to prepare for winter.

How to Tour Italy Radio Show Interview

Published on 2012-10-26 03:30:27

I just had my first radio interview!! It was on The How to Tour Italy Radio show and all about this beautiful region of Le Marche and recent fall festivals. The program is a dedicated resource where you can meet the people that will make your next trip to Italy amazing. The host of the show, Anthony Capozzoli is energetic and simply put "a guy that loves Italy."

Hock the Family Silver for a Plate of Tagliatelle with White Truffles

Published on 2012-10-21 08:36:39

Luscious Pumpkin & Butternut Squash Soup with Steamed Mussels

Published on 2012-10-14 09:29:02

pumpkin-butternut squash soup made at La Tavola Marche photo by MeaningofPie.com Fall in a bowl - pumpkin or squash soup would make a perfect dish to add to your Thanksgiving dinner or lunch on a rainy day. Since you can cook it off a day or 2 before, it makes for one less thing to do on turkey day! This soup has become a tradition in our house - it's so creamy & delicious. If you want to make this simple soup extra fancy add a few steamed mussels just before you serve. Butternut Squash [..]

Absolute Perfection: Poached Pears in Wine

Published on 2012-10-11 06:35:27

A beautiful simple dessert absolutely perfect for a dinner party incorporating the flavors of fall. Use any red or rose you like or that bottle of wine that's been collecting dust in the back of your cupboard (you know the one) - it will work great in this classic dish! A gorgeous oven-free dessert. In the summer, we will use beautiful stone fruit instead of the pears.

Preserving the Harvest: Braided Onions

Published on 2012-10-09 11:18:56

Once you've picked your onions a great way to store them is by braiding them in clusters and hanging them in a cool dry dark place making them easily accessible. Just cut one or two down as needed for cooking during the winter. Onions are by far one of my favorite plants we grow, I plant them in the Spring with Gaggi as Jason teaches cooking classes. He always makes sure to mention that if I do it wrong, we'll know come the fall! Well we've got great soil and a green thumb because they always co [..]

Mushroom Hunting in the Hills of Le Marche + 3 Fall Funghi Recipes

Published on 2012-10-08 04:06:38

A favorite fall pastime in Le Marche is mushroom hunting! It' a peaceful way to explore the woods and forest floor while foraging for dinner! This years conditions have been ideal for funghi and we have brought home kilos of porcini, russola, biette and even huge portabello mushrooms! Our resident expert on everything, Dott. Gaggi leads the way, off the trail, passing over the toxic breeds and directing us to exactly where the delicious edibles can be found. After a long walk in the woods, we re [..]

Savory Radicchio and Prosciutto Crostini Topped with Sweet Syrupy Sapa

Published on 2012-10-05 05:19:14

A fall favorite is the savory radicchio and prosciutto crostini topped with sweet syrupy sapa. This is a great example of balancing flavors: the fat of the prosciutto will cut the bitterness of the radicchio, while the sweet component, sapa will round out the flavor. To achieve a balanced result - all three ingredients should be in balance not tasting one single ingredient but a rich flavorful bite. Sapa is a has been used since Ancient Roman cuisine and is made by slowly reducing grape must in [..]

Outright Divine: Porcini Risotto with Truffle Oil

Published on 2012-09-30 09:55:28

This year the mushroom hunting has been prolific! Every couple days we head into the woods with the Good Doctor, Gaggi and bring home baskets full in no time! The weather conditions are just right...(A full blog post with photos to come!) So what better way to enjoy our bounty than with a rich decadent porcini risotto topped with truffle oil made by our neighbor Alessandro Rossi! The kitchen will smell outright divine! Porcini Risotto Risotto di Porcini Serves 6 4 Tablespoons oli [..]

Autumn's Apple Harvest: Apple Cinnamon Cake

Published on 2012-09-26 10:42:54

The Polenta Feast

Published on 2012-09-22 04:41:44

You know it's fall when you smell polenta in Piobbico!

Gourmet 3-Night Holiday, Autumn in Italy

Published on 2012-09-20 06:28:57

A Tomato Tasting

Published on 2012-09-18 07:25:21

For a few weeks in late August/early September we serve a very special antipasto of heirloom tomatoes from our garden with a hunk of mozzarella di bufala and buttery extra virgin olive oil. It's off the charts amazing because when do you ever get to sit down to a plate of such amazing color & flavor! With five to six heirloom varieties on your plate at once you can really taste the differences noting the diversity in acidity and sweetness as well as thickness of skin and seeds. It's a great way [..]

Absolutely Addictive: Fried Anchovies & Sage

Published on 2012-09-16 05:34:16

For those out there that think of anchovies as "bait" taste again! The oily anchovies pair perfectly with the savory flavor of sage, dipped in a light batter and fried quickly until golden they are absolutely addictive & perfect with a glass of white wine before dinner.

Classic Italian Ragu: Age-old, Tried & True

Published on 2012-09-12 01:31:18

Classic Italian Ragu, everyone has their favorite, a family recipe passed down scribbled on scratch paper. "No one made it like Grandma" - well until now! Here's our classic ragu (meat & tomato) sauce that is easy & delicious, perfect for spaghetti, lasagna, tagliatelle .... the list goes on!Ragu 1 small carrot, finely diced 1 med onion, finely diced 1 rib of celery, finely diced 1 clove of garlic quarter pound of sausage meat half pound ground veal 1.5 pounds peeled, seeded, pureed fresh tomat [..]

How to Jar Tomatoes in 6 Simple Steps

Published on 2012-09-03 05:36:11

It is full-on tomato harvest season at our organic farm in Central Italy, and has been for over a month. After we've eaten tomatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily it's time to start preserving them for winter so we can enjoy their deep rich flavors long after the garden is gone. This year we scaled it back a bit and had only a couple hundred plants in about 12 varieties, each day yielding kilos of fresh ripe juicy pomodori prime for the picking.

Italian Card Sharks

Published on 2012-08-28 14:09:04

Grilled Eggplant, Fresh Mozzarella and Peppers with Capers

Published on 2012-08-23 06:53:35

A staple of an Italian vegetable garden is eggplant/aubergines or melanzane - so of course we grow plenty! The plant and flowers are gorgeous, the only problem is, we're not huge fans of the veg. itself. I do like them stuffed like a little quiche or thinly cut & fried is always good. But I must say the recipe below of grilled eggplant with mozzarella topped with peppers & capers is my new favorite! Ok, now don't be turned off by the capers - they impart an amazing saltiness to the yellow pepper [..]

Oh How I've Missed Corn on the Cob...The Trials & Tribulations of Eating Corn in Italy

Published on 2012-08-20 04:44:41

It's been five years since I've eaten an ear of corn.... Corn on the cob is generally not eaten in Italy, at least not in our area. Corn is strictly considered food for pigs unless it's coarsely ground into polenta, only then is it acceptable to eat. Even that is considered peasant food to some city folk, (I'm talking to you Pesarese.) And to eat it off the cob, off the grill - well that's just unheard of! So much so that we asked friends in Piobbico if we could have an ear of the corn we saw [..]

Mouthwatering Roasted Tomato & Bread Soup {Pappa al Pomodoro}

Published on 2012-08-17 11:32:18

Make your kitchen smell outright divine with this Tuscan-based slow roasted tomato bread soup, Pappa al Pomodoro. Home-grown tomatoes, in-season, peasant cooking (using stale bread)- a perfect example of Slow Food. Our tomato plants are thriving in this long warm summer in Italy, the colors deepening & the flavors intensifying as the days go by. Originating in Tuscany (about an hour away) we can't resist sharing this mouthwatering recipe at our farmhouse using our plump andjuicy homegrown p [..]

Buon Ferragosto

Published on 2012-08-15 04:17:10

Ferragosto is the culmination of summer in Italy, celebrated on the 15th of August with a festival or feast everywhere you turn from Rome to the Adriatic sea and every tiny village or backyard in between!

Our 1st Video Recipe: Lunch {Pranzo} in 90 seconds

Published on 2012-08-11 10:33:49

In our first attempt at 'film making' with our Nikon we thought we'd start simple: lunch. Here's our 90 second recipe of a simple farmer's lunch of fresh picked tomatoes, aged sheep's milk cheese & olive oil on good crusty bread filmed in the kitchen of our farmhouse in Le Marche, Italy. As Jason prepared our pranzo, I shot this rough video & we edited as we ate.

In Season: Heirloom Tomatoes with 5 Tasty Tomato Recipes

Published on 2012-08-08 10:52:01

...And so it begins, the big tomato harvest!

A Refreshing Twist: Mint Infused White Wine Syrup

Published on 2012-08-05 12:09:10

On a hot afternoon, pass on the soda or sugary flavored teas and pour a cold glass of sparkling water with mint infused white wine syrup. The recipe is ridiculously simple and makes for a refreshing twist to an aperitivo or perfect for macerating fruit.

Italian Butchery and Sausage Making Course with Mushroom Hunting & Wine Tour, 25-30 October 2012

Published on 2012-08-01 09:01:25

butchering, sausage making, truffles, mushroom hunt & wine tour this October in Italy If you call yourself a "foodie," pig lover, wine-o, gourmet or gourmand this culinary holiday is for you! Vegetarians seek refuge elsewhere because for five nights in October it's a all about meat in the foothills of the Apennine Mountains of Central Italy. This fall savor the slow food & experience Italian farm life first hand with this unique holiday at La Tavola Marche (Organic Farm, Inn & Cooking Sch [..]

Savory Slow Roasted Tomatoes with Filet of Anchovy

Published on 2012-07-29 05:25:48

It's tomato season,

Dinner in 5 Minutes: Veal Scallopini with Lemon & Parsley

Published on 2012-07-23 10:08:24

There are endless recipes for scallopini but my favorite is a classic 5-minute lemon & parsley pan sauce.

Summer Soup: Cold Cucumber Soup with Scampi

Published on 2012-07-18 11:00:33

When the temperatures soar, try a this creamy & refreshing...soup! Crazy huh?! In fact, cold cucumber soup is delicious & light, like a green gazpacho and paired with steamed scampi (or grilled shrimp or crab meat) is a gorgeous combination.

The Beautiful Borlotti: Speckled Cranberry Beans {5 Recipes}

Published on 2012-07-15 05:50:32

Simple Summer Pasta Sauce: Raw Tomato with Lemon Infused Olive Oil

Published on 2012-07-13 04:53:01

Recipes from the Sea: Mussels & Clams in White Wine {Cozze e Vongole}

Published on 2012-07-09 04:27:24

A great "Meatless Monday" meal is a heaping bowl of mussels & clams in white wine with crusty bread & a bottle of crisp Verdicchio D.O.C.

Eating Your Way Through Le Marche: Starting with Porchetta

Published on 2012-07-03 11:06:33

If you are eating your way through Le Marche, Italy there is no better place to start than a porchetta truck! Follow any traveling market & you will find a truck that sells whole de-boned pig stuffed with herbs and wild fennel, slow roasted, thickly sliced & jammed into a panino for lunch. (Ask for it "con crosta" - the crackling bits, you'll thank me later.) porchetta made in Le Marche Here is the next installment of my personal favorite way to travel - "Eating Your Way Through Le Marche", [..]

Italian BBQ: Grilled Rosemary Skewers of Steak Wrapped in Pancetta & Sausages

Published on 2012-07-01 05:40:35

The Gardener's Morning

Published on 2012-06-27 09:26:19

Arugula Walnut Pesto with Fresh Pasta {Pesto di Ruccola}

Published on 2012-06-24 05:07:58

Figs & Pecorino Cheese with Honey (Fichi e Formaggio)

Published on 2012-06-20 08:42:46

A Family Farm & Food Holiday in Italy: Cooking Classes for Kids

Published on 2012-06-19 02:33:11

Fresh Picked Cherries in Limoncello

Published on 2012-06-15 06:55:13

Fresh picked cherries macerated in homemade limoncello, it doesn't get much better than that! A perfect combination of sweet & tart and to top it off with a spoonful of whipped cream! Serves 4

Delicate & Delicious: Fried Squash Blossoms & Prosecco

Published on 2012-06-13 07:09:18

A fabulous summer appetizer is fried zucchini or squash blossoms, lightly battered, golden & crispy with a hint of salt, followed with a tall glass of bubbly Prosecco! It's a match made in heaven. You can find recipes that fill the blossoms with cheese but I prefer it vuoto, fried without anything stuffed inside so you can taste how delicate this dish really is.

La Fiorita: Millions of Flower Petals Cover the Cobblestone Streets in Villages Across Italy

Published on 2012-06-11 07:09:36

Straight out of an old Italian film, the first Sunday of June villages across Italy celebrate La Fiorita (or Corpus Domini), a relgious holiday by decorating the streets in flower petals followed by a procession through town led by the priest, clergy, band, mayor & townspeople (men & women separated of course). This is one of the most beautiful traditions of Piobbico, not only the because of the flower petals on the streets but the townspeople that come together to decorate our little village.

Creamy Vanilla Panna Cotta with Dark Chocolate Ganache, A Classic No-Bake Dessert

Published on 2012-06-08 09:43:30

As the weather gets hotter, so does the kitchen making oven-free desserts ideal, try this no-fail creamy Panna Cotta with rich dark chocolate ganache! Panna Cotta literally translates to cooked cream in Italian and the recipe is just about as simple as the name. Vanilla Panna Cotta with Chocolate Ganache serves 8 Ingredients for Panna Cotta 3 sheets of gelatin scant 1/2 cup milk or 120 ml 2

Eating Your Way Through Le Marche: Summer Festivals & Feasts

Published on 2012-06-03 09:37:13

Drool-Worthy Menus, Recipe & Photos from our Spring Cooking Classes in Le Marche

Published on 2012-06-01 10:14:36

We've been busy at our farmhouse this spring cooking up a storm!

Elderflowers, Pretty Enough to Drink

Published on 2012-05-29 11:21:28

Elderflowers or fiori di sambuco are in bloom in Italy! This flower from the elderberry tree makes a lovely light floral lemonade-like flavored syrup to be added to drinks (sparking water, vodka, gin or grappa), desserts or sorbets - depending on your mood. It makes an amazing vinegerette over salad as well! This can be served along breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner - perfect a for hot summer's day! Syrup of Elderflower

Sausage Making 101: Cooking in Italy

Published on 2012-05-26 03:31:08

Creating Balanced Flavors: Stuffed Lemons in the Oven

Published on 2012-05-23 03:26:04

Stuffed lemons with tomatoes, anchovies, basil & mozzarella is a delicious antipasto and perfect example of balancing flavors. We first tried this mouthwatering two-bite bit of heaven on the Almalfi Coast and have been recreating it ever since. Even though it is not a traditional dish of Le Marche, Jason likes to use it in his cooking classes to teach how to balance flavors in the kitchen: fat, acid, sweet, salty & aromatic. The creamy mozzarella subdues the tartness of the lemon; sweet cherry [..]

How to Make Lick-Your-Plate Amazing Tiramisu

Published on 2012-05-18 09:40:07

This is one recipe worth recreating, a rich & creamy classic, tiramisu!

Italian Spring Greens: Looks like Grass, Tastes like Spinach - but Better!

Published on 2012-05-15 15:51:39

Liscaro has more aliases than an escaped convict - in our neck of the woods it is called liscaro, but travel outside our valley and it goes by agretto, lischi, roscano, baciccio, barba del negus. Just another example of how regional & local the cooking (& language) is in Italy! If you like spinach then you will love liscaro (or whatever you prefer to call it) - the flavor is a bit more subtle than spinach & not as irony. Even though it looks like blades of grass, I assure it tastes nothing like [..]

Going Hog-Wild in Urbino, Supporting Local Pig Farmers

Published on 2012-05-13 08:36:29

Urbino, a city renowned for its art, is also full of pigs!

For the Brownie Lovers: Chocolate Nutella Walnut Cake

Published on 2012-05-10 15:33:32

If you're a fan of brownies - then this one is for you, big boys & girls! A rich chocolatey Nutella walnut cake that is

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution: Farm to Fork Cooking Class

Published on 2012-05-05 08:28:31

Join Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution Day on May 19th at La Tavola Marche for a very special farm to fork cooking class in Italy.

Peasant Cooking: Passatelli in Brodo

Published on 2012-05-01 00:14:06

Passatelli is a rustic Italian pasta meets German spatzle, noodle/dumpling made of breadcrumbs, grated parmesan, eggs, nutmeg & lemon zest. Found on dinner tables across Le Marche & Emilia Romagna, passatelli is best served in chicken broth but can also be dressed with sauce. (Some recipes call for no flour, others just a handful - this is a hotly debated topic even within Le Marche.)

The Onions are In (Thanks to My 88 Yr. Old Boy Friend!)

Published on 2012-04-28 15:40:05

Ahhh it feels good to be in the garden a hot sunny spring day. After such a wet few weeks it has been nice to soak up the warmth of the sun in the middle of the orto!

The Real Deal: Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena DOP, the Epitome of Slow Food

Published on 2012-04-22 06:57:51

Put down that caramel-colored watery condiment known as balsamic vinegar of Modena & try the real deal! (And trust me whatever you're using, no matter what you spent, 'aint this!)

Green Thumb Gone Wrong: Dead Seedlings...

Published on 2012-04-20 07:10:49

We tend to celebrate our successes in the garden (& in life) but sometimes it just all goes awry! This year we started a ton of seedlings in early April, the weather was extra warm & sunny. We thought we'd get ahead of the game, we had hundreds of seeds started from melons & pumpkins to lettuces & herbs.

Podcast from Italy: A Road Trip to Modena for the Best Balsamic in the World

Published on 2012-04-19 05:41:31

Easter has come & gone - we reminisce on the day & opera singing Zio Albi (in-case you missed the clip - watch it here: Easter Concerto).

Spring Soup: Farro & Leek

Published on 2012-04-15 06:54:37

Homemade Sicilian Blood Orange Liqueur - Arancello

Published on 2012-04-10 09:11:29

An Unexpected Easter Concerto - Enjoy!

Published on 2012-04-08 13:49:20

You just never know what will happen at our farmhouse... During Easter pranzo (lunch) one of our guests, Zio Albi was so inspired by the food, company & setting that he couldn't contain himself any longer & had to sing opera! After the roaring applause, he continued to sing until his throat was hoarse. He asked for gelato, but alas we had none so he happily accepted the grappa & continued to entertain us all. Enjoy this clip of the impromptu Easter concert in our dinning room -

Coming Home to Roost

Published on 2012-04-04 10:14:19

Welcome home to our new family of fowl! Eighteen hens & two young roosters arrived today. The hens will start laying eggs in about a month. Once their production begins we should have over a dozen eggs a day! I have no idea what breed they are, just like every other year, we order them from the hardware store in town (same place I buy the pure grain alcohol for my homemade liquors, seriously they have a bit of everything!) There doesn't seem to be a choice, we place our order, they call the loca [..]

Spring in Bloom: Seedlings, Soil & Tulips

Published on 2012-03-30 09:57:30

The first few tulips of over 250 bulbs I planted in November have begun to pop open!Oh Happy Spring!! We are busy working our way through our spring-clean list of painting, scrubbing, mowing, fertilizing the garden with manure, starting seeds (these were planted over a week ago): seedlings for lettuces starting in the warm windowsil

I Like My Peas with Pancetta

Published on 2012-03-25 07:46:32

Sweet peas have arrived at the farmers market, spring is here! Peas & pancetta - one of my favorite dishes that I only eat in Spring when the peas are bright & fresh.

70 kilos of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Published on 2012-03-22 11:30:22

This week is the beginning of Spring & the start of the season at our inn which means it's time to replenish the supplies that we don't produce ourselves like wine & olive oil. So this week we drove to the Ancona area (Osimo) and bought 70 kilos of un-bottled, extra virgin olive oil!

Podcast from Italy: I ♥ Gelato! Flavorful Interview with Artisan Gelato Makers

Published on 2012-03-17 01:34:44

We are excited to share an interview with our friends Antonio & Paola, owners of Gelateria Maki in Fano, our most favorite artisan gelato shop in the Region! They stopped by for a visit so we thought we'd ask a few burning questions about gelato: how is it different from ice cream,

'Alfredo' for Adults: Pasta with Formaggio di Fossa

Published on 2012-03-12 06:01:07

For a rich, creamy, cheesy pasta sauce, skip the adolescent 'alfredo sauce' and try something more sophisticated: fresh pasta with formaggio di fossa (pecorino) or cheese from a pit, a pungent sheep's milk cheese from Le Marche, Italy. Formaggio di Fossa is considered one of the most delicious culinary rarities from Romagna and Marche with a unique flavor, deep coloring & strong aroma. This cheese is best grated over pasta or eaten with fruit & honey as dessert.Read more about our experience un [..]

Slow Food: Heirloom & Nearly Extinct, the Italian Solfino Bean

Published on 2012-03-08 09:50:10

This spring we will plant an antique almost extinct bean, the solfino in our garden. I recently read an article from Le Marche & Food on Scoop.it about a rare flavorful bean from our region of Italy, I was intrigued. We pride ourselves on eating locally, growing our own food & supporting the values of Slow Food, so the thought of preserving a Marche heirloom seed from the dangers of extinction from industrial production was exciting! I contacted La Bona Usanza, the head of the local Slow Food co [..]

Lick My Spoon Foodie Photos with Pasta with Zucchini Blossom Recipe

Published on 2012-03-04 14:17:59

The super talented, refreshingly tongue-in-cheek food blogger Stephanie Hua from Lick My Spoon visited us over the summer and snapped fabulous photos of dinners, cooking classes, veggie picking, tomato jarring and roaming chickens. I will post a few of her photos each week as well on our Facebook page. More photos: Lick My Spoon: Farm & Food in Italy Here are few photos from our pasta from scratch with sauces class - The Class Menu & Recipes:Tagliatelle with Zucchini & Squash Blossoms (pictur [..]

Surprising Discovers in the Industrial Zones of Le Marche

Published on 2012-02-26 08:25:27

From the outside you'd never know what's going on behind those doors. Totally random tidbit: Next time you cruise past an industrial zone (zona industriale) in Le Marche - take a closer look, you'd be amazed at what's inside! From artisan meat & cheese warehouses, a Slow Food bean picking production (more on that on a later post), marble quarries & shoe makers but when we came across this 6-court sand volleyball tournament we couldn't believe our eyes! Volleyball tournament with our friend [..]

Perfect Sunday Side Dish: Braised Fennel with White Wine

Published on 2012-02-26 08:24:51

Photo: Simply Recipes Fennel is a versatile vegetable that is often looked over for being too tough. Braising is a great way to soften this hearty root vegetable known to aid in digestion. The acidity & fruitiness of the wine compliments the aniseed flavored fennel and with a good drizzle of olive oil it finishes this dish perfectly. Serve with meat! Braised Fennel with White Wine finocchio al vino bianco 1 large fennel cut into chunks 2 cloves of garlic few tablespoons of olive oil pepper fl [..]

Sausage & Salami Curing Update: 250lbs+ of Meaty Goodness

Published on 2012-02-23 10:15:13

Homemade dried sausages, ready to be eaten! As the snow began to fall in what is the biggest snowstorm of the century in Italy, we got to work making an additional 25 kilos of salami & sausages to be cured with our friend Milud (adding to our grand total of over 250 lbs of meat to be cured). This time we mixed it up a bit and made dried sausages with fennel seeds, spicy red pepper flakes and one with meat from a different farmer. Dr. Gaggi was just itching to be here to over-see the operation bu [..]

Decadent Lasagna Bianco with Porcini & Sausage

Published on 2012-02-16 01:55:18

During the snow storm of the century in Central Italy, I can't think of a better way to warm up than devouring a plate of rich & creamy pasta with a good bottle of red after a day of shoveling the drive. Perfect for a cold winter's night, lasagna bianco, 'white lasagna' is made with porcini mushrooms, sausages & bechamel, a local classic in northern Le Marche. A refined take on the usual red sauce classic, that will have your mouthwatering for more after the first bite. Extra Delicious Tip: Ma [..]

Podcast from Italy: Snowed-in Fireside Chat

Published on 2012-02-04 06:27:07

Italy is blasted by a Siberian storm & we are snowed-in! In a rare evening podcast from our frozen farmhouse we talk about things that come along with severe weather & living in the countryside that we've never experienced before! And as the snow accumulates to over 4 feet, we contemplate our next move.... (Check out the photos on Facebook: Snowmagedden 2012: Snow in Italy) Subscribe for Free on iTunes - Podcast from Italy, Episode #30: Snow, snow & more snow in ItalyStream on Stitcher.com

Online Marketing

Blog Feed: La Tavola Marche

Home > Blog Directory > Newest Posts > Blog Feed: La Tavola Marche