Cooking in Tuscany

Our popular free gnocchi class is back: save the date! Buongiorno Reader! Just a short introduction: I’m Chicca, 100% Italiana, a passionate cooking instructor for over 20 years, and a biking enthusiast based in Tuscany, Italy. Do you want to learn how to make gnocchi? I'd love to teach you my family's favorite gnocchi recipe during my FREE live online class on April 5 via Zoom. This gnocchi recipe, which I learned growing up, uses just two ingredients: flour and water—no potatoes. Even if...

This monthly letter is all about inspiring you to cook with seasonal ingredients and bringing you delicious Italian recipes for lunch or dinner ideas. Do you ever find yourself asking: what are we eating today? I’m here to help from my Tuscan kitchen! This month, I’m sharing one of my favorite Italian dishes from a past live class, one that’s perfect for this season and easy to master. It's Tuscan Onion Soup! Great for cozy gatherings, this dish combines sweet onions, crusty bread, and melted...

Buon anno! We did it—we stepped into 2025! Here in Tuscany, we welcomed the new year in true Italian style, filled with traditions and a sprinkle of superstition. In Italy, we have a saying: “What you do on New Year’s Eve will be done all year round.” It’s our way of reminding ourselves to start off on the right foot because day one is the model for the next 364. New Year’s Eve is a mix of rituals, good-luck gestures, and symbolic acts—small ways to bring a little magic to the unknown of the...

Ciao Reader, When did my love for tiramisù begin? I’m not really sure—I just know that each bite of creamy mascarpone, coffee-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa is pure magic. I’ve been making tiramisù for about 40 years, still using the same recipe I first scribbled in an old notebook.That recipe was written by hand with no instructions, just a short list of ingredients: Coffee 5 eggs 500g mascarpone cheese 5 tablespoons sugar 1 package of ladyfingers Since then, I’ve been making...

Ciao Reader, Greetings from my Tuscan kitchen! This monthly letter is all about inspiring you to cook with seasonal ingredients, and bringing you delicious Italian recipes for lunch or dinner ideas. Do you ever find yourself asking: what are we eating today? I’m here to help! I like to keep things simple and to the point—no fluff, just delicious recipes and helpful tips! This month, I’m excited to share one of my favorite Italian dishes from a past live class—one that’s perfect for this...

Hello, I hope this letter finds you well and in good spirits. Summer has just passed, and after enduring a relentless heat wave for over a month, we're finally enjoying a milder climate. Fall is here, bringing with it new produce and new guests visiting for tours and cooking classes. Yes, I’m back in my kitchen almost full-time, and I couldn’t be happier! If this letter is not of interest, please unsubscribe here. At the beginning of the month, we had the honor of being invited to a special...

Ciao Reader! This crunchy Italian snack pairs perfectly with cheese, olives and salami. Boiled, baked, and irresistibly tasty! Join me on Saturday, September 7, for an exclusive live online cooking class from my kitchen in Tuscany via Zoom. I'll be bringing Italian flavors to your home! I'd love for you and everyone in your household to cook along with me! Sign up now and get this class for $27.75 instead of $37 (save 25%) by using the coupon code ENEWS25 at checkout. Yes! I'm in! Sign up...

Ciao Reader! Try my eggplant pesto, where roasted eggplant melds with cherry tomatoes and garlic for a creamy, smoky, and savory delight. Join me on Saturday, August 24, for an exclusive live online cooking class from my kitchen in Tuscany via Zoom. I'll be bringing Italian flavors to your home! I'd love for you and everyone in your household to cook along with me! Sign up now and get this class for $27.75 instead of $37 (save 25%) by using the coupon code ENEWS25 at checkout. Yes! I'm in!...

Our free gnocchi class is back! Save the date! Buongiorno Reader! Just a short introduction: I’m Chicca, 100% Italiana, a passionate cook instructor for over 20 years and a biking enthusiast based in Tuscany, Italy. I'd love to teach you my family's favorite gnocchi recipe during my FREE online class via Zoom on August 3. This gnocchi recipe, which I learned growing up, uses just two ingredients: flour and water—no potatoes. I promise it's easy to make, ready in only 30 minutes, and delicious...