La Buona Tavola

Not many know that focaccia, timeless masterpiece of Italian cuisine, was born in the bustling kitchens of antiquity. Indeed this flatbread, sumptuously rich in olive oil and steeped in history, serves as a culinary bridge between past and present.  The debate …

The humble chickpea, a small yet mighty legume, has quietly shaped the culinary landscape of the Mediterranean for millennia. Its story is woven into the very history of the region itself, in a narrative of civilizations rising and falling, trade …

My vocal coach once told me that the danger of being a singer lies in the temptation to indulge in late-night food-based rendezvous with colleagues after performances: from my own humble experience, I can attest to the truth of this …

My first stop when entering Apulia was at the Wojtyla airport in Bari Baggage claim. While waiting for the conveyor belt to start delivering my bags, I looked up and noticed the room’s only advertisement: a banner pasted across the …

One morning I awoke to a fruity, musky scent that hung heavy in the air, floating out from the kitchen to all corners of the house. Approaching the stove, I saw a crimson liquid bubbling, sticky bursts popping and clinging …

Broccoli rabe, also known as cime di rapaor rapini, holds a significant place in Italian culinary history. Its use in the kitchen can be traced back to ancient Roman times, which highlights its long-standing role in our gastronomic traditions. This vegetable, which originates …

I think that, when it comes to Italian food abroad, lasagne comes second only to pizza in popularity, and it’s easy to understand why: this comforting, flavorsome dish is very versatile and adaptable, and it’s perfect to be made in batches and …

In Naples, the Christmas season is marked by a delightful array of sweets, with roccocò standing out as a traditional favorite. These treats, which share the spotlight with other popular festive delights like struffoli, raffioli, mostaccioli, and susamielli, are essential to the festive atmosphere in Neapolitan homes.  …

Italian-American dishes usually have a continental counterpart, and Baked clams oreganata is no exception. Italians make a nearly identical dish called vongole gratinate al forno, though I’d venture to say that its near cousin cozze al gratin, made with mussels, is rather …

Bruschetta: a word that has traveled the globe, gracing menus from New York and Tokyo, all the way to Sydney and Buenos Aires. This simple Italian dish has become an international icon, thanks to the universal appeal of its varied, …