michele becci

The holidays are here! If the thought of going to a crowded mall or buying yet another gift card leaves you stressed or depressed, consider making a homemade gift from your very own kitchen. These thoughtful, creative gifts are the …

Montalcino may be best known for its splendid Brunello but buzzing across its rolling hills are amazing honeybees silently working their magic amongst the vines. From the deep dark chestnut honey, to the gentle sunflower honey, each  exquisitely assumes the …

There is finally a hint of spring in the air on the East Coast after a very chilly, snowy March.  The air is still unseasonably cool but you can feel a sense of restlessness outside; almost a vibration from things …

When I first started making farro, I would have to make a special trip to our not-so-local Italian market to purchase it.  It was a labor of love. Today, it sits just next to other cool new grains on the …

Finally the summer heat has yielded a delicious crop of tomatoes – plump heirloom, sweet cherry, meaty San Marzano. I wait patiently all season for the tomatoes to arrive and once they do, I simply cannot get enough.  They are …

I stopped by the local farmer’s market this weekend and found myself in front of a beautiful basket of freshly picked arugula.  Memories of a beautiful Tuscan steak, perfectly cooked, sliced and laid atop a bed of simple arugula and …

Red wine has always been a staple in our house.  Growing up, there was the omnipresent Chianti bottle which held wine that was less than stellar but became awesome candle holders for my dorm room when the wine was finished.  …

Cauliflower is having a moment, a big moment. Soon after the low-carb diet lovers discovered you could use spiralized zucchini as a stand-in for pasta, they figured out that this winter veggie is a terrific stand-in for rice.  With the …

Italians are one of the largest consumers of canned tuna in the world and for good reason.  Italian oil-packed tuna (tonno) is a flavor packed treat that puts the water packed variety to shame.  The tuna is typically precooked and …

I am just back from a trip to my little home in Montalcino, in Tuscany where the long, hot summer has come to a close.  There was finally a chill in the air that had me pulling on a warm …