Under the Tuscan Gun

Mashed Potatoes with Olive Oil and Pancetta

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This is how I liked Mashed Potatoes. Sure there is something to be said about preparing it with cream and butter, but this is a much lighter, healthier way to enjoy them and for my family it was also the perfect excuse to use the olive oil from our farms for another dish. Olive oil is a healthy fat and the kind we produced our farm was exquisite. This was also the only way my dad, who is Kosher, could enjoy this classic comfort food. The Kosher diet has a lot of restrictions and eating dairy is one of them. After moving to the states, I added pancetta. The salty, smokiness adds a nice contrast to the creamy potatoes.

Orange, Red Onion and Fennel Salad

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More of a Sicilian in origin, this is a wonderful Summer salad to prepare when you can find blood red oranges. Fresh, citrusy, refreshing and nourishing, this is always a crowd pleaser and the presentation is off the hook thanks to all of the vibrant colors. Serve with a grilled piece of fish or to counter a piece of meat.

Lost in Castellina in Chianti

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SR222  is the “Strada Chiantigiana” , the winding road that takes you through the bevy of wineries throughout the beautiful Chianti region.   Between Florence and Siena, the white roads of Chianti beckon you to seek out her secrets.  The roads are called Strada Blanca because of their color.  The white sand that was infused into making them make the streets look like powder.

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What Bourbon Means to Beer

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September is National Bourbon Heritage Month in the United States, recognizing its contribution to the heritage of this country. And I love me a good bourbon, that’s for sure! But what happens to all those bourbon barrels once they are used? They can’t be used again to make more bourbon as that would break the strict rules that define bourbon. Continue Reading…

Olive Oil: Good and Good For You

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If you ask anyone the question, “What is Italy famous for,” you are likely to get many answers, with the top spot going to Wine.  You’ll also hear “pasta,” (which was actually an immigrant from China via Marco Polo), cheese, prosciutto/salami/cotto, and finally, olive oil.  Italy’s olive oils are known the world over and with extremely good reason.

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The Feast of San Gennaro

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September 19th marks the official feast day of San Gennaro, the patron of Naples.  A beloved saint, San Gennaro was a bishop from Benevento, Italy.  Januarius, as he is also known, worked tirelessly against the persecution of Christians under  Emperor Diocletian.  Of course, he was captured, jailed and a grisly execution involving  wild bears was planned.  However; he was beheaded instead.
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A World Famous Tomato Sauce Recipe

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Fall harvest is upon us and so begins the mad dash to use up the tomatoes in the garden. Every year at this time, after we have gorged ourselves on tomato sandwiches, had enough panzanella and caprese salad—there is a point where I think I could never have my fill of panzanella and caprese salad— but we do , the nights turn colder and we want substantial dishes.  Pastas, risottos, something stick to your ribs, in place of a crisp white, we decant a burly red.

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Foraging with the Wildman: American Barberry

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Wildman Steve Brill is the go to guy for foraging so we went to the Wildman to learn about just that. Having made a name for himself nationally for his extreme knowledge and experience of edible and medicinal wild plants and getting arrested in Central Park back in 1986 for eating a flower, Steve will now share his know how with Under the Tuscan Gun.com in a weekly post showcasing different wild plants each week. This week: American Barberry.

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