For the 'Love of Foods' in Italy

I did not take a lot of photos of 'foods' ...simply, because the second week when I met up with my daughter. I was the official 'food photographer'...I became the 'annoying paparazzi, and tried to limit my food photos~

nothing like a casual morning walk to the local outdoor market...the freshest fruits and vegetables
grown locally!

Another fruit and vegetable stand at the outdoor market!

This is the local supermarket which is in a mall, and has other great shops as well.

You can try, and win this car while you're vacationing there!

These little mini pull baskets were very convenient!

Awesome seafood section...although I was asked not to take any photos...as in Whole Foods in the U.S. ...so, my store photos ended in the seafood isle; sad to say!

Just look at these lovely fish...all saying "hello"

Wow! Just look at the size of this octopus!

Outside the mall...all cloudy, and later in the afternoon...pouring rain. You can see the mountains in the background!

 

The first day for lunch I just opted for the baked fish and mixed salad...(no pasta for me)

Hard to resist a fresh homemade focaccia...right out of the oven.

Homemade olives from their farm in Calabria...just can't stop eating this, sooo incredibly good!

preparation for the next lunch...fresh farm grown arugula pesto for pasta!

Lots of freshly grated ParmigianaReggiana cheese

See what I mean?...you can't just eat salad? You go to Italy to eat pasta, pizza, and gelato!

...and don't skip dessert. Homemade crostata (tart) filled with homemade apricot jam...yumm!

After a great lunch a 'walk to the playground-park'...reading my novel. Park was empty, kids still in school!

Thank you for all your good wishes for speedy recovery!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! xo

Farfalle with Basil Pesto

There's something about pesto sauce that I really love. Maybe its bright green color, and oh, the aroma of fresh basil infused with imported extra virgin olive oil, the pine nuts, the garlic, just a little whirl in the food processor, and you have a gourmet sauce, that is quick, and delicious. A few shavings of Parmigiana Reggiano, and you have an incredible meal. All you need, is a nice fresh Italian bread, or French baguette, a salad, and you have a gourmet dish, with very little fuss! I used the recipe from the Food Network, but otherwise, I use the same one myself, not know where the original came from.
    
          Pesto Sauce

• 2 cups packed fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup pine nuts
• 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Pecorino cheese (see Cook's Note)

Directions

Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add 1/2 cup of the oil and process until fully incorporated and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
If using immediately, add all the remaining oil and pulse until smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large serving bowl and mix in the cheese.
If freezing, transfer to an air-tight container and drizzle remaining oil over the top. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw and stir in cheese.
Adapted from Television Food Network

I decided to remove the second photo of the yummy pesto pasta, so I could include the photo of this year's Christmas tree, at my daughter's house. This year, as in every few years, they put up a live tree, but unfortunately my little 4yr old grandson is allergic to the fresh pine, so he has to take his allergy medicine, which is helping...otherwise they would have to take the tree down before Santa Claus arrives!