Menu Ideas
Tuscan Fantasy Meals
You are (probably) here:
...but what if you were here:
Below are 18 recipes to make a Tuscan (or Ligurian, or Emilia-Romagnan) fantasy meal -- the perfect escape from a dreary day (assuming you can't hop a plane to Italy).
Baby Purple Artichokes Fried in Olive Oil by SippitySup
Bruschetta with Ricotta, Honey and Lemon Zest by merrill
Smoky Minestrone with Tortellini and Parsley or Basil Pesto by WinnieAb
Ricotta and Chive Gnocchi by The Internet Cooking Princess
Veal Chops Lombatina with Roasted Garlic by thirschfeld
Hunter's-Style Chicken by lastnightsdinner
Bean Salad with Pancetta by amanda
Rigatoni with Sausage, Peas and Fresh Ricotta by Aliwaks
Steak with Arugula, Lemon and Parmesan by merrill
Linguine with Sardines, Fennel & Tomato by lastnightsdinner
Pasquino's Trippa alla Romana by pierino
Pasta e Fagioli by QueenOfGreen
Rosemary Ciabatta with Stout Beer by ChezSuzanne
Saffron Semifreddo with Cherry-Cardamom Syrup and Salted Honey-Hazelnuts by Brenna
Herb and White Wine Granita by robynmichellelee
All photos above by Sarah Shatz except cubicle shot by Tim Patterson and Tuscany shot by Francesco Sgroi
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Comments (13)
about 2 years ago lorigoldsby
Correct title is "Italy for the Gourmet Traveler" y Fred Plokin. My edition was printed in 2010, don't show it available on kindle--but that would be nice.
also recommend "Italian Days Food Experience" if you are going to be anywhere near Bologna. Alessandro was a wonderful guide to the cheese, balsamic, parma and wine areas. He is #1 on trip advisor for a reason.
about 2 years ago artfulgourmet
These recipes look great - I took 2 Tuscan cooking classes and it's my absolute FAVORITE food. EVER. Rustic. Fresh ingredients. Earthy. Simple. YUM!!!
about 2 years ago Cronmoax
Hi the link for this one is broken...please fix!
Smoky Minestrone with Tortellini and Parsley or Basil Pesto
about 2 years ago Food52
This is from your friendly editors at Food52.
Sorry about that! The link should be fixed now. Thanks for letting us know!
about 2 years ago Emiko
Very nice idea, though I'm actually in the second picture and not the first! I live in Florence and my life pretty much revolves around Tuscan food, so I have to just point out one small thing: only a couple of these dishes could actually be considered Tuscan so perhaps "Italian" would have been more appropriate as the title of this great collection of recipes. There is a world of difference between the cuisines of each region of Italy, which to me is one of the most intriguing things about this country - I think it would be great for people to know more about this and recognise it and learn some great tips from the Italians along the way. Aside from flavours and produce, there are very specific social, historical and geographical reasons that explain why a bagna cauda would not be found on the same (Italian) table as artichokes fried in olive oil. Of course, in a fantasy world, none of this really matters I suppose! Buon appetito!
about 2 years ago Food52
This is from your friendly editors at Food52.
Thanks so much for your comment. We thought many of these recipes reminded us of great meals we've had in Tuscany, but couldn't help including recipes from a few other regions too (which is why we gave shout outs to Liguria and Emilia-Romagna too). Guess we have a lengthy Italian vacation on our minds!
about 2 years ago ENunn
lovely!
about 2 years ago latoscana
Buon gusto!
about 2 years ago boulangere
Cynthia is a trusted source on Bread/Baking.
What a beautifully curated exhibition!
about 2 years ago AromaCucina
What I would give for some fresh artichokes. they're not in season yet in Toscana, or Umbria...but soon. soon. Fried, slivered artichokes with mint. Now I have spring fever!
about 2 years ago joannova
This is an absolutely gorgeous visual post. I'm drooling!
about 2 years ago gingerroot
Swoon! My mom is leaving Tuesday to visit my brother who is abroad in Italy - they are spending the weekend in Florence - this will help me get over the fact that I'm not going with her. Thanks -- perfect timing, as usual!
about 2 years ago lorigoldsby
so sorry I didn't read this earlier...but anyone traveling to Italy should read "a gourmet traveller's guide to Italy" It has restaurant recommendations for each city, divided by the regions. The author has visited each restaurant, and it included so many smaller cities, great if you are there on business...and want to eat locally.