Liana Sofia Tumino » Food

Eating meals “in the RAW”?

admin — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 20:18:41 +0000

Because of a suggestion from a highly respected friend of ours, Frank and I have decided to try out this funny little thing called a “raw food diet” Being non strict vegetarians (fish eggs etc) for over 20 years it wasn’t too much of a stretch but I still could not beleive how delicious meals could be. Example below…I am calling it “Pasta with Pesto in the RAW”

If you love pesto and you love vegetables you are going to love this…really! If you think about it, flour /egg pasta on it’s own really doesn’t have that much flavor, it’s the sauce that you put on it that makes it. So find your favorite pesto recipe…mine is a classic basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil and salt. With a mandoline or simpe carrot peeler, thinly slice 1 or 2 yellow zucchini (summer squash) and 1 or 2 carrots depending on how many people you are serving…and toss everything together. Salt it to your own taste, or I guess you can add shredded parmesan?? hm mm! that’s it…done! …talk about EASY!!

Today is our first 90 degree day here in Scottsdale and what a nice lunch for a hot day. Try it, (if you like trying new things)…it’s such a great big beautiful world, isn’t it? Speaking of which, if this whole thing just turns you right off…I found the most lovely blog called “Panini Girl” that features everything Italian…especially food so check it out and Enjoy!!

Italian Gelato No Cone No Cup!

admin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:32:00 +0000

This funny looking bun on the counter is called “Brioche” and in Southern Italy it is the very best way to eat Gelato (in my opinion of course!) Leave it to the Italians to take a good thing and make it better!!

Let’s see, I will have cioccolato, nocciola and “Rocher” the name of this flavor says it all!!!

After making your selection your brioche (an egg bread that is soft and not too sweet, similar to easter bread) will be filled with gelato and served with a wink!

Thankfully you are furnished with a spoon… even still this is a messy endeavor but worth the effort for sure!

So you’ve caught me taking a break in beautiful Italy! I promise I have been working as well and may offer a “sneak peek” soon…until then Buon Appetito once again!! And remember to visit www.celebrateart.com for updates on the upcoming show.

p.s. Why are all these posts about food???

Breakfast Italian Style

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:17:00 +0000

This is a post about ricotta cheese, somewhat of a staple here in the south of Italy. Our quest for the freshest ricotta possible begins at 8 am with a drive throught the Calabrian countryside.

Cheesecake as we know it in North America has no similarity to what would be called cheesecake here…Crostata di Ricotta (cheesecake Italian style) is a wonderful desert light and simple and only one of the many things that ricotta is used for. We also know ricotta when it is added to lasagna, manicotti, or less well known is frittata di ricotta, similar to an omelet. My personal favorite “Cannoli Siciliani” Sicily’s famous cannoli that are of course filled with ricotta!

I know we have arrived when I notice the sheep grazing on the hillsides, the cows on the other hand were happily munching on fresh hay in the stall.

In a small room, attached to the stall is a large copper pot on the boil over a gas fire. A larger basin holds the curds and whey. The curds are being made into forms of cheese that will cure over the next year. The whey is slowly added to the copper pot where the ricotta will form.

Tapping the copper pot with a wooden pole assists the ricotta to rise to the top- once the ideal temperature is reached the ricotta is skimmed off the top and put into cheese containers.

The most obscure and traditional way to eat ricotta, I assume would be foreign to most because it entails close proximity to the farm. “Ricotta con siero” is what we came for this morning. A peasant food fondly remembered by those who grew up here. It doesn’t get any fresher than this!!

Hard bread is broken into a bowl and moistened with a generous amount of ricotta and a good amount of “siero” the liquid that remains with the production of the ricotta. I apologize for the gruel like appearance, I can assure you it tastes much better than it looks!

Another herd of sheep arrive as we eat our breakfast on the farm. Golden hillsides dotted with blooming oleander, olive trees and yellow wildflowers abound. A sight to behold, a day to remember! I took many pictures which are sure to become frescoes soon! All will be unveiled at the 20th anniversary exhibit at the Celebration of Fine Art in Scottsdale Arizona.

Visit again soon as my next post will be about my trip to Sicily! A presto e Buon Apetito!!

My first blog!

admin — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 01:14:00 +0000

Ok…so i will attempt to enter the 21st century although i spend most of my time between the 12th and 14th! Michelangelo eat your heart out!! Now lets see how this all works, I will do my best to learn and post what i have been up to “between shows” Encouragement would be greatly appreciated!