Several years ago, I read an article in Forbes magazine about a place on the Florida Panhandle called Alys Beach. Situated between Panama City and Pensacola, this area is called the Emerald Coast, named for the breathtaking calm turquoise sea known as the Gulf of Mexico.

As we roamed through the maze-like streets, we discovered “La Casa del Mojito.” I curiously became captivated by the two older women that were picking mint off its stems outside the bar. When I think of Italian cocktails, it is not the Mojito that comes to mind,

The phone isn’t ringing as much; appointments canceled; commitments, parties, and holidays postponed. I am equally as afraid of watching the News, as I am of not watching it. I choose not to complain but to utilize this time to take care of my mind and body. It is a well-known fact that our thoughts create our feelings.

“Monsieur, too much wine, too much cheese here in France, I need a bigger size.”  I see my husband look away; he is smart enough not to engage. He reminded me every day that we were overindulging. I couldn’t help it; this was France for God's sake. The shopkeeper calmly retorted, “Madam, if not to eat, why to live?” I replied, “thank you, Monsieur, next size, S’il Vous plait?”

Holidays are like a giant storm encapsulating us. Time stands still while we make merry inside our snow globe with friends and family. During this season, much is forgiven, and more often than not, more is expected. On New Year's Day, the “snow” begins to melt and real-life resumes.

I look at Valentine's day as a time to stop and acknowledge where love has happened in the “crevices” of the life I share with my husband. The expression of love and caring can be a simple gesture like bringing me my morning coffee or, placing gloves in my car anticipating that I might feel cold.

My Nonna loved to sit at the window of her house in Brooklyn patrolling “her” street.  She made sure no one touched or scratched her sons Cadillac, supervised the children playing ball and watched the comings and goings of the neighbors. She always hoped that one of her grandchildren would stop by for a visit, at which point she would drop the keys from the second story window so that we could let ourselves into the house. Her memory was even better than that of our parish priest. Nonna knew precisely how long it had been since our last visit.

In recent years, Prosecco, the sparkling Italian white wine, has gained popularity around the world and is now known to be outselling Champagne in several countries. Although both Prosecco and Champagne are similar, they are produced from different grapes and have different bottling and fermentation processes.

Prosecco is made from Glera Grapes and goes through a two-step fermentation process. The second fermentation takes place in a pressurized tank known as an Autoclave, where it stays for up to four months. It is important to remember when shopping for Prosecco; the label will refer to two designations, Brut or Extra Dry, the Brut being the drier choice.

While enjoying some local cheese and figs picked that morning, my husband expressed his love of figs, fichi, in Italian.  The men at the table vigorously agreed, with a lot of head shaking and snickering! Not being aware of the “double meaning,” my cousin whispered in his ear the definition of the “double meaning.”

The tomato became popular in Greece somewhere around the mid-1800s. The tomato is ever present in this delicious, fresh, and healthy cuisine. I would feel remiss not to mention that the study of the popular “Mediterranean Diet” began in Crete. Because of the blaring sun and the scarcity of rain, most of the Island’s vegetables are small in size but incredibly flavorful.

As a kid growing up in a New York Italian–American neighborhood, our family always looked forward to the church bazaars during August and September.

It is now August, and most of us have consumed our fair share of BBQ. So, in anticipation of weekend dinner guests, I chose to create a summer pasta dish that reminds me of the Amalfi coast with a “twist.”

As home cooks, we often forget how the use of one herb can alter the flavor and experience of recipes we routinely create. By experimenting with herbs used in different cultures, we can take a chicken piece and transform it by adding herbs indigenous to any given country.

Please do not be afraid of making the dough. The filling is my Nans recipe, and the dough recipe is an adaptation from Nigella Lawson’s cookbook, and it is foolproof!!.

It has always been hard for me to start or end my day by eating a muffin. After all, aren’t they cakes labeled as breakfast food? If I were to make these muffins in the shape of a cake, I might have a second slice, but I would never eat two muffins. I remember a time when this was not a conundrum for myself or my friends.

Recently my husband printed out this recipe and placed it on my desk. I have become accustomed to these tactics, translating to “can you make this for me.” It was shared on Instagram by my relative in Italy, Lucia Bove. When the Bove’s suggest a recipe, you make it. They know good food and dessert.

There are two nights of the year you won't find me soireeing in my favorite dining establishments. Those two nights would be New Year's Eve and Valentines' Day. I don't particularly appreciate paying for disappointment.

During the holidays, I received a box of Brigadeiros as a gift from my Brazilian friend. This wonderful fudgy truffle-like confection is a famous chocolate treat in Brazil. How had I not tasted this before?

Week one of our month-long stay in Italy began on the Amalfi coast in the town of Atrani. The VRBO my husband Richard and I rented was as pictured and described. Villa Rose #5, our one-bedroom apartment, was appointed with all the necessities and delivered a majestic view

Visually I travel down memory lane through the hills of Tuscany and the medieval town of San Gimignano, southwest of Florence. I find a picture of a pair of red panties hanging outside an apartment window.