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Italian Easter Pie | Pizza Rustica

The one, the only, Italian Easter Pie, “pizza rustica” also known as Easter “meat pie.” This is a time-honored celebratory Easter dish in Italian culture and has extended to non-Italians alike. This pie is absolutely delicious, filled with some the best of Italian cheeses and meats. What a wonderful way to break the 40 day Christian fast of “Lent” that takes place prior to Easter Sunday and to begin the celebrations of the powerful message of Easter and the rebirth of springtime in nature.

Greek Easter Lamb

This is an inspirational Easter post. The Time of Easter symbolizes a time of rebirth, in the religious context as well as in nature. Here, along with an amazing Greek Easter Lamb recipe, is shared a chef’s story about the INSPIRATION he found in Greece, and how it all ties into some of the symbolism of Easter.

Sailing off to Reunion Island – Indian Ocean!

Gastronomy is a way of life in Creole cultures, Reunion Island,in the Indian Ocean being no different. The pride of the cuisine is held dear in the timely culinary secrets passed down from generation to generation. The cuisine here is very aromatic. A plethora of races and nationalities has contributed to the integration of cuisines from India, China, France, Madagascar and the African mainland making the local food, interesting and exotic. I was fortunate to have gone to an outdoor food market while on my visit to the island. My insight is shared in this post.

Silver Seas – World Cruise!

“As a chef , when one mentions Madagascar, I automatically think of vanilla beans.”Vanilla Beans” of Madagascar are cherished around the world as quite simply the very best. In my experiences as a chef…these beans are usually horded away and locked down in the chef’s office and rationed out…to the cooks in very controlled amounts because of the simple fact that these beans are extremely expensive.

World Cruise | Africa-Arabia-Mediterranean

“Follow Franco” on a winter cruise. Starting off at the island of Mauritius, in the south-west region of the Indian Ocean. The tour will end in the far reaches of the Mediterranean in mid-summer, 2011.
Franco, will share the daily life activities as a chef on board one of the world’s finest luxury cruise lines as he cooks and lives at sea. To: “Follow Franco” find him on facebook or twitter under the name Chef Franco Lania, and his blog | www.francolania.com

Clams Oreganata – Feast of the Seven Fishes

“Feast of the Seven Fishes” is a time honored Christmas Eve tradition. The traditional abstinence from meat for Roman Catholics has lead to the time honored celebration of a feast of fish. This tradition is still very strong in countries like Italy where the feast is called “La Viglia”, the Vigil.
The custom was brought to the United States by Southern Italian immigrants in the late 1800’s early 1900’s and is still practiced in many Italian-American homes on Christmas Eve today.

Italian Wedding Cookies

This is a butter and almond based Italian wedding cookie,that is tossed 2-3 times in confectioners’ sugar once slightly cooled to coat them and make them evenly white. White of coarse signifying the purity of marriage.