Santa Maria Novella

I recently visited one of the oldest pharmacies in the world: Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella.  Located in Florence, established by Dominican Monks shortly after their arrival in 1221.  (Yes way before America was discovered.)  The monks began making medicinal herbs in order to prepare medications, balms and ointments for their small infirmary.  The products made by the friars became famous so in 1612 the pharmacy became open to the public.  (Apparently the products were so renowned even Russia, the Indies and countries as far as China knew of them.)  Today the pharmacy still operates using the same artisanal procedures established by the monks.  Many of the products available from colognes, liqueurs, soap, face and body care, room fragrances, teas, etc. have great history and stories behind them.  The "Acqua della Regina" is an essence that was created for Caterina de'Medici.  After becoming Queen of France she took the fragrance with her and introduced it to the court where it became popular.  This same fragrance is available for purchase today....amazing to think one today could smell the same as Caterina de'Medici.  I purchased the Acqua di Santa Maria Novella, Sapone Tabacco Toscano (for my Lucky Strike smoking, Tuscan husband) and a ceramic dish with the crest of S.M.N. on it.

Entrance to S.M.N

The large desk in the main room of S.M.N....this is where you order from the list the products you wish to purchase

A partial view of the main room ceiling

The Green Room (Sala Verde) was the reception room until 1700, where beverages like hot chocolate were once served

Boxes waiting to be filled with product....I really love the crest of S.M.N

The Herbal Shop which was once the Old Pharmacy (Antica Spezieria) where products were displayed and sold between 1612 and 1848

Another beautiful ceiling

Products from the Herbal Shop

Area with liqueurs and fruit spreads...packaging and bottles are just stunning

Pepperoni Perfetto

Roast bell peppers in oven until they look like this...at least 30 minutes

These days I have been watching my mother in law cook.  Albeit in bits and pieces as she generally wakes up early to begin cooking for the day.  For this recipe, she waited to show me from start to finish as it is one of my husband's favorites and he wants me to learn.  This dish is very simple, but very tasty and beautiful.  Great for antipasto with bread or crostini or as a side dish for a meal.  Sometimes for dinner we will eat this with bread, cheese and wine, very simple but satisfying.

My mother in law has lots of clever kitchen solutions, here she is taking the skin and seeds off the roasted peppers on a piece of foil...this way clean up is very easy

After peppers have out skin and seeds removed

A second cleaning removes missed seeds and cuts the peppers down to bite size pieces

Cleaned roasted peppers

Another great tip....freeze fresh cut parsley and remove chunks as needed for dishes

She mixes the parsley and peppers with mostly olive oil...quite a bit, but about 10% of the oil should be corn oil to keep the oil from solidifying

Finito....serve this either cold or at room temperature....it tastes better the next day!

Porcino e Vino

Poster for the festival

A funghi festival took place today in Pontremoli.  And not just any funghi....the porcini.  We were very excited to attend and taste porcini prepared different ways paired with local wines.  And if it weren't enough to taste porcini dishes in Italy, the festival was held in an old castle, yes an old castle!  Such a great experience.

Outside casing of chestnuts adorned the tables

Overview of courtyard area in castle

Some desserts offered

Local cheese selection

Star of the festival fresh porcini

Porcini and polenta

Porcini ravioli

Porcini tagliatelle

Porcini tricolore

Funghi fritto

Local cheese plate with honey

Crostata

Portofino A Pranzo

Today we made day trip to Portofino.  Even though the name is famous, the actual area is quite small.  You can walk all of Portofino in about 5-7 minutes depending on your strolling speed.  Such a beautiful time we spent outside enjoying the last few days of temperate sunshine before true fall begins.

Having drinks and relaxing outside, true "dolce far niente"

Generally dogs are welcome everywhere in Italy....good for Luna!

Our lunch spot

Taglierini with gamberi and pomodoro

Portofino is in the province of Liguria where pesto is from

Festa del Cioccolato

So now that I am almost over my jet lag, it is time to start posting all the wonderful things I am experiencing in Italy.  (Also I will get back to my normal schedule of posts that I had started "Throwback Thursday and "Foodie Friday" soon.)  My husband is from a small sea side town that is still having weather that even southern California could envy now, and while strolling today we saw a chocolate festival!  So of course we had to stop and taste.  

Nocciole (hazelnuts) on slabs of white, dark and milk chocolate

Truffles that resemble a popular cake here called "testa di moro"

Chocolate rice krispy type treats

Hot chocolate machines

Chocolate tools

Salumi di cioccolato (chocolate salmi)

Cremino a type of rich fudge

Chocolate spreads that give Nutella  a run for its money

Belle & Boo

I saw these precious illustrations by Mandy Sutcliffe, creator of the 'Belle and Boo' collection.  She illustrates children, so her creations tend to be a bit sweet for me but I think it is balanced by the modern treatment she gives her drawings.  Check out her illustrations and paper products : http://www.belleandboo.com/index.php