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chocolate and wine pairing

chocolate and wine pairing

when you can’t have sex on the beach, do dark chocolate and wild cherry Sicilian Ala wine aka poetry in a bottle Read more…

ABOUT

Curious Appetite is a Gourmet Blog by Coral Sisk, Italian-American writer, certified Italian sommelier & culinary tourism specialist from Seattle living in Florence, Italy

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Already sent your early ballot in? We are only a

Already sent your early ballot in?

We are only a week away from Election Day! Next Tuesday I can imagine many of us might be a little on edge, but it could be the perfect day to treat ourselves to a real great cup of coffee and a little *virtual* trip to Italy.

Come along and join Curious Appetite for our Virtual Barista workshop.

You'll learn all about what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee, and how to prepare a great coffee with any equipment. The workshop is held next Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 11am PT/2pm ET (8pm Italy time). This might even give you a little caffeine boost to push through the night and catch the results 😊

Grab your tickets at the link in bio!
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#cofeeculture #italiancoffee #cafeitaliano #mokapot #bialetti #coffeelovers #italiancoffeelovers #foodexperiences #virtualexperiences #italygram #italianmornings #wakeupinitaly #curiousappetite #visititaly #italyonmymind #coffeeinitaly #coffeeinitalia #italylovers #frenchpress #coffeemaker #coffeetime #barista #coffeeworkshop

Curious to meet the woman responsible for these 2

Curious to meet the woman responsible for these 2 treats (one an essential food group) and how they arrived to modern dining culture via the renaissance?

Come indulge in a little historical wanderlust with us online tomorrow Tuesday October 27th 12pm PT/3pm ET (8pm Italy time). With a food historian and sommelier, you’ll learn about Renaissance Florence and the history of its dining culture as well as the foods, drinks and ingredients which are said to have emerged thanks to Caterina de’ Medici

Tickets via link in bio under “Eventbrite page & tickets” linktree or in stories.

What are you most curious to learn about Florence’s claims to historic culinary fame-
🍴or 🍷or 🍨?
#curiousappetite #onlinetours

The last supper out @clubculinariotoscano because

The last supper out @clubculinariotoscano because starting tomorrow (Monday, October 26th) bars/restaurants in Italy due to the second #covid19 (tidal) wave have to close by 6pm (but can stay open for takeaway till midnight- but for many it’s not worth it and will shutter their doors till this whole thing blows over- if they can re-open).

Supposedly this will be lifted November 24th but who knows. Who knows if in a week Italy will all be under strict lockdown again or if hospitals will be strained to the max within 2.

Last supper done well, thanks to friggitelli peppers blistered in oil spritzed with citrus, crostoncino with sausage tartare and a healthy snowfall of black truffle and squash flowers fried and intended to be slathered with squacquerone fresh cheese and wrapped with coppa slices, then fava purée with garlicky cicoria greens and testaroli pancake pasta triangles in porcini + nepitella 🌿

I wish there was a better solution or we weren’t here in the first place but here we are, heavy heart and all.

For updates in English on what’s happening/intel on new rules, please make sure to check out posts by @theflorentine @girlinflorence

Now excuse me while I marinate in the memories of simpler times, and wishing with all my might they can return safely.

Speaking of which, any memorable meals to speak of as of late?

Big virtual hug to virtually everyone, we’re all in this tumultuous boat together somehow ❤️
#curiousappetite #florenceitaly

I guess I'll just say it: With elections coming up

I guess I'll just say it: With elections coming up, I think we all deserve a drink, a stiff and strong one!

Know anyone who could use one to get through the rest of 2020? Why not send them a Negroni Club box! With enough provisions for up to 20 Negroni made from craft bitters and spirits (not found elsewhere in the US!), this is the perfect survival gift! If you need extra help digesting, consider adding on a bottle (or two) of craft digestivi amaro to your Negroni box!

Negroni lovers have given these combo boxes an A+++ rating- grazie mille!

Here is what some of our members have said: "I wanted to let you know that we love everything!!! We just tried the two amaro and they are both super fun. Will do a modified negroni with some of the Jefferson next. Anyway, this is such a bright spot in my current depression about not being able to travel. "

Check the link in bio to order (under "Shop!") or contact us to learn more about our Amari & Negroni Club!
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#curiousappetite #negroni #negronilovers #negronicocktail #italiancocktails #negroniclub #campari #gin #ginlovers #vermouth #vermouthlovers #cocktailime #mixology #drinksclub #drinkitalian #craftcocktails #craftliquor #florence #italiandrinks #italianfood #italianfoodlovers #negronitime #dreamingofitaly #weekdaycocktails #gourmeteats #italymagazine #italygram #foodtravel #cocktailtravel

The essential elixir of Italian cooking is extra v

The essential elixir of Italian cooking is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). As it's made from pure cold-pressed olives and depending on the variety of the olive, its color can range from a dark green to a bright green-golden. Italy is starting it's new oil pressing season- we so wish you could be here to experience it!

EVOO can be smooth and rich or a bit sharp and peppery, depending on the variety. New oil should be used to season food whereas EVOO from the previous year should be used for cooking. I love newly pressed oil drizzled on grilled zucchini or squash- the pepperiness gives a great contrast to the sweet notes of these veggies!

What are some of your favorite uses for extra virgin olive oil in your cooking repertoire?
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#oliveharvest #harvest #oliveoil #evoo #extravirginoliveoil #olive #organic #tuscany #olives #tuscanyitaly #tuscantraditions #tuscanfood #italianfood #italysegreta #italystyle #agritourism #italiantradition #gourmetfood #cooking #italiancooking #italymagazine #lifeinitaly #italyliving #italytravel #foodculture #gastronomylover #cookinglover #italylovers #italianfoodlovers #eatingitaly

Sometimes our private tastings are just a little b

Sometimes our private tastings are just a little bitter. 😁

Our online tastings are getting ever more creative and are at times off-menu, we just developed an Italian Amaro tasting! We went through and selected a few favorite amari and walked through their history and the best bites to pair with them- although know amari are meant as digestivi but what’s wrong with getting creative?

Message us for more off-menu curated online tasting events!

Here is what they had to say about the experience:
"We had a great class yesterday with Adrienne! ...

Adrienne was so friendly and knowledgeable and paced the tasting well.

The choices of Amari worked well, and it was very fun and interesting to taste them in different ways. I really appreciated the pairings and trying the Amari first alone and then with ice and lemon/orange. She told us the history of many of the Amari, and I enjoyed seeing the map and finding out where the different Amari come from.

I would say it is all I was expecting from this class and more! I highly recommend Curious Appetite as a great source for virtual tours/tastings. I hope someday to take advantage of your tours in person"

Have a special tasting in mind you would like to try out? The team here at Curious Appetite is happy to organize private tasting tailored just for you, send an inquiry at the link in bio, or message us via DM.
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#amaro #amari #italianamari #italiantasting #italianfood #italianfoodtraditions #bitters #cynar #amarolucano #tasteofitaly #virtualtasting #italytravel #drinkitalian #distillery #Amarigram #Digestivi #lonelyplanet #boozetraveler #travelerinItaly #TLpicks #foodandwine #vinepair #amarilover #decanter #eater #buzzfeast #liqpic #punchdrinks #voguemagazine

Sorry for the IG-unworthy post/angle but I wanted

Sorry for the IG-unworthy post/angle but I wanted to let you know one of Bologna’s most historic cafes did a brave thing and opened a second location in Florence (near Porta al Prato) during the you know who and they do a very appetite-worthy Aperitivo.

Spot the “la grassa” tell-tale sign this spot is a Bolognese import... 🐖
P.s. Don’t sleep on the martini menu 🍸

Enjoyed very much with @phoebetravelpig travel journalist previously in London now in Florence writing fascinating stories- benvenuta a Firenze, cara!

Anyone been to Gamberini in Bologna? I personally love it there. Buon venerdì a tutti! 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸

#curiousappetite #florenceitaly

There is only ONE Mario...while known for bistecca

There is only ONE Mario...while known for bistecca, roast or fried rabbit is my usual go to with soggy oily tomato/garlic flavorful zucchini trifolate you probably could use a spoon for.

One of the most nostalgic Florentine lunch icons is Trattoria Mario and it was quite the shock going in this 2020, reduced capacity, plastic dividers and quiet business-minding.

While I worry about the fitness of the eateries which define a city like Florence’s dining character, I’m more worried for the less-famous places who also serve exceptional food. I know times are tough, but if you can treat yourself to a snack or dish from an empty restaurant here or in your parts. Of course if you don’t feel right dining-in, there’s takeaway, etc.

Restaurant experiences are where some of my favorite memories have been formed, especially my first time lunching at Mario’s. In stories I linked to a throwback review from the blog- catch it if you can!

What’s your go-to dish from Mario and other choice Florence spots you love?
🥩 🐰 #curiousappetite #florenceitaly

One of the things I love about Florence is how new

One of the things I love about Florence is how new adventures in the kitchen transpire.

And in my recent blog post’s case, it has to do with having my taste buds blown away with a decadent slice of flatbread sando-like pizza wedges with burrata and roasted (mild) friggitelli peppers, sliced deliciously from @ladivinapizzafirenze (one of the BEST!)

Since these peppers have been poppin’ in the markets since September, I curiously wanted to experiment a little at home with this easy as pie (and easy for real- since when is pie easy to make?!) appetizer. Want the recipe? Head to thecuriousappetite.com or by swiping up in stories.

Would you like more recipes e-mailed to you? More are cooking for our newsletter this week- subscribe via link in bio. Buon appetito! 🌶🥄

And grazie mille @girlinflorence for the finished dish photo also @justdanella for being willing to take a risk of a burnt dinner at casa mia 😂😘#curiousappetite #newpostwhodis

Carmignano DOCG, found NE of Florence in the Prato

Carmignano DOCG, found NE of Florence in the Prato area (same home for almond biscotti!) has had a long history in and out of the spotlight. Carmignano is responsible for the first Tuscan wine of its kind: a uniquely blended Cabernet and Sangiovese. Its long history makes it a meeting point for Super Tuscan and traditional Tuscan wines.

This rich delicious wine pairs well with semi-aged Tuscan Pecorino, meaty stews and for vegetarians, the famous pappa al pomodoro (a bread and tomato porridge-like soup from Tuscany's cucina povera).

We can thank Caterina de Medici for this bodylicious wine, after her time in France, she brought back both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc vines to be grown in Carmignano.

This bottle snapped is from one of my favorite enotecas in Florence (more faves in stories) and is said to have won wine of the year by Gambero Rosso @gambero_rosso- one of Italy's respected culinary publications.

Ever had Carmignano or wines with similar Cabernet/Sangiovese make-up? What would you pair with it food-wise?
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#tuscanwine #winelovers #italianwine #italianwinelovers #cabernetsauvignon #carmignano #italywineregions #wineregions #winedestinations #caterinademedici #tuscany #tuscanyitaly #tuscanywine #tuscanlifestyle #supertuscan #sangiovese #winetastingitaly #italystyle #cntraveler #winespectator #gamberorosso #bbctravel #italytravel #winetravel #italyonmymind #winewednesday