I Don’t Have Time to Cook

I Don’t Have Time to Cook

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“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst”

William Penn

“The quality of life is more important than life itself”

Alexis Carrel

“Creation is a better means of self-expression than possession; it’s through creating, not possessing, that life is revealed”

Vida D. Scudder

Mr. Italicano and I recently returned from 2 weeks of my cooking demonstrations in New York City with SMEG USA to help celebrate their 10th anniversary in the states. I spent the week catching up on jet leg and reflecting about the comments I received from the people who stopped by to watch these cooking shows.

What I discovered is that that one of the overarching problems for local New Yorkers is that the meal time decision usually comes down to one thing: time. Of course, this is quite a universal problem, but it really struck home while talking with people who live in the city and rarely, if ever, cook. “I just don’t have time,” they would say.

three-colored-pasta-web-2-italicanakitchenCooking for me is a sacred part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Not only am I creating, which stimulates sentiments of satisfaction, I also know exactly what I am putting into my body. Why would anyone who wants to lead a balanced and healthy lifestyle refute these two things?

Although many New Yorkers had blamed it on time, I want to help by giving my opinion about the time for cooking simple meals. If you try to compare a simple and nutritious meal that you would make at home to the same kind of meal you would find, let’s say, at an organic restaurant near your home, the factor of time is almost the same. Don’t believe me? Let’s do the calculation together:  CONTINUE READING

Hello from New York! 

Hello from New York! 

14606399_10105686833022938_4660464007736136266_nIt’s been such an exciting time for italicana kitchen!  I have been on quite an adventure: 10 food events around New York City to celebrate Smeg USA’s 10th anniversary in the states. My last one is today at Eataly Downtown. To celebrate Halloween I will be making pumpkin hummus, creamy pumpkin soup and homemade turmeric pasta with pumpkin sauce, walnuts and crispy sage ribbons. I would love to see you there!

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Here are some photos of the 10 food events. What do you think of my 1950’s look?  CONTINUE READING!

USA Food Tour and Cooking Classes!

USA Food Tour and Cooking Classes!

I apologize for the absence in the past month! If you’ve been following italicana kitchen on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter then you’ve probably been following my USA food tour. I’ve been reporting back on Radio Bruno, an Italian radio station, on new food and wine trends in America,  I’m organizing private pasta-making classes in people’s homes using the lovely Smeg stand mixer, which I absolutely adore, and I’m doing pasta-making demonstrations at various Williams-Sonoma stores and The Culinary Stone in Seattle, Spokane and Coeur d’Alene. 

Italicana-Kitchen-Private-Cooking-ClassesIf you are in the Seattle or Spokane area, contact me to organize a homemade pasta-making class! I’ll be in Seattle until READ MORE!

{Event in Milan} Green Detox Smoothie + Recipe

{Event in Milan} Green Detox Smoothie + Recipe

The festivities are now over, and the new year has kicked off. Start right: incorporate healthy meals into your daily diet, like this Green Detox Smoothie that can be eaten for any meal or as a healthy and energy boosting snack. If you are in Milan and want to learn how to make delicious smoothies :: frullati and other healthy meals, come join me tomorrow at the Smeg store. Sign up asap (the event is tomorrow: Thursday, January 21st!), on the Smeg Moscova website.

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In today’s fast paced world, it’s not always easy to eat healthy :: mangiare sano. I’m often tempted to buy ready-made food, especially when I don’t have a lot of time or don’t feel like cooking. However, I try to resist. I always check the nutritional facts on the back of the product. If it’s made with whole, natural  products, then it’s okay for me. If it’s made with CONTINUE READING

Simone Rugiati at Stosa Cucine Bologna

Simone Rugiati at Stosa Cucine Bologna

What do you get when you create a cooking show event with Simone Rugiati, a famous Italian chef, at the beautiful Stosa Cucine store? Give up? I’ll tell you. One heck of an entertaining afternoon.

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During mine and other food bloggers exclusive interview with Simone before the cooking show, I naturally asked him what Continue Reading!