Italian food … what's not to like?! - but its history ... now that's an interesting subject …
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| John DIckie's book |
I have two goddaughters – one is 'real', while t'other is 'her twin' – my brother's niece … born on the same day – the year I got back from South Africa – early 1990s.
The honorary goddaughter has recently become engaged and they seem to be spending (short break) time in Italy … so I thought a book on the History of Italian Food for them might be a good idea – which'd also interest me – I can read it before I hand it over!
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| This is an American film, but looked a fun run in the kitchen |
'Delizia' {The Epic History of Italians and their Food (2007)} by John Dickie looked to be a good choice – however when it arrived it appeared to be of American origin … and I prefer a British outtake (rightly or wrongly!) …
But John Dickie is, as it happens, of British origin – an author, historian and academic, who specialises in Italy. Perfect … except for the mis-spellings throughout the book.
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| Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci |
Anyway forgetting that … I've been watching Stanley Tucci's 'Searching for Italy' on the BBC (originally CNN) … and who did he meet up with in this last programme – yes, you guessed it – but John Dickie – Professor of Italian Studies at University College London. Co-incidence # 1 ….
I had no idea who Stanley Tucci was (bad me!) until I saw the film 'Supernova (2020)' in which he starred with Colin Firth – a very British film … and now I know who Stanley Tucci is …
I think I'll give you co-incidence # 2 next time … it's way off any link I can think of (yes, even me!) … other than 'co-incidence' …
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| Coat of Arms of the Order of the Humble Ones |
So feast your thoughts on some early ideas of living in Italy way back when … such as you're Bonvesin de ala Riva (c 1240 – c 1313) … a lay well-to-do member of the Ordine degli Umiliati (literally “Order of the Humble Ones”) …
He lived in the marvelliosa city of Milan, waxing lyrical over it while believing it to be 'exalted among cities' … the ideal medieval earthly city – abundantly supplied with meats, poultry … also fish … yet it is the local fruits and vegetables that feed Bonsevin's civic patriotism.
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| Agricultural Calendar c 1740 |
Interesting man as you can see from the descriptions above – who, as was the custom in medieval Milan, slept with all his household in one same large (? ginormous) bed … his wife and children, apprentices and servants …
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| Great Bed of Ware |
Thank goodness I have my own bed now – though appreciate many don't!
Back to feasts … I won't go into the how and why … but Dickie mentions Osso Buco – one of my own very early offerings – when I could get the meat (bone with a hole – where the delizia marrow can be found) from Oxford market – a place I miss to this day after 55+ years.
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| Osso Buco served with risotto |
Right I'm off the memories of early days when I loved to entertain – trying all kinds of delicious dishes … so my honorary goddaughter will be getting this 'historio libro Italiano' (I'm sure this is not correct!) … for Christmas …
So that's that for this post … dream Italian food – similar to the one written two years ago for WEP about a tree house restaurant …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
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20 comments:
And for another coincidence I have just finished a book about a year spent in Tuscany - and the seasonal produce and food (with recipes) that are enjoyed each month.
I hope your god daughter enjoys her present. And feel sure she will.
Hari Om
Stanley Tucci is an excellent actor whom I have long admired, though I admit I have not followed the food show. Somehow Italy is not a place that has ever appealed to me. Not that I am averse to a Margarita pizza or spinach and ricotta pasta now and then... YAM xx
Funny you're going to read the book before giving it to them!
Good morning, Maestra Hilary: In the days when we still consumed red meat like fiends, osso bucco was a great favourite of mine. The Greater Toronto area has a huge Italian population and many, many fine restaurants. There was one called Rosa's, which we patronized with business clients mostly since it was highly priced to say the least, and their osso bucco was a creation of divine beauty and taste. I think if my arm were twisted even lightly I could abandon my vows for a day and have it again. Last night actually we had pasta for dinner with a lovely Canadian Merlot. Not osso bucco but damn good nonetheless. Buon appetito. Abbracci - David
Stanley Tucci is a very busy actor. He's in a lot of movies, in addition to working on his series for CNN. Finding misspelled words in a book would bother me.
Love,
Janie
Hello Hilary. Italy has always been my favourite place to travel to. I have been there many times and travelled all over. ASLO, Italian is my favourite cuisine - by a mile! The importance of using the very best available ingredients ensures a great result when cooking or preparing dishes.
Furthermore, Stanley Tucci has long been one of my favourite actors. I really enjoyed the recently shown four-part thriller, The Inside Man with David Tennant.
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s hopelessly habit-forming Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
@ EC - oh I bet the book was a delightful journey through the Tuscan landscape - and as you mention with the seasonal produce and food recipes - love those kind of books. I'm sure she'll enjoy scanning it now - and hopefully they'll look at it occasionally ...
@ Yam - I realise he's highly respected as an actor and wish I'd realised who he was earlier. I can understand your love of Asian and Indian foods - different from the pizzas, pastas etc from Italy.
@ Alex - oh yes ... but actually I think I'm going to keep this copy and get another for them ... I don't want to relinquish it!
@ David - oh I loved Osso Buco ... and after Oxford, when I eventually got to London I was near Portobello Road and market - lots of produce available there ... I haven't made it for years ...
Rosa's sound very good indeed ... and how wonderful you know what Osso Buco is, and like like-minded souls we are ... still crave the dish. But like you - pasta comes to the fore more than red meat now-a-days ... with - I'd have to go for white wine now (mostly) ... and yes, abbracci back!
@ Janie - I now know exactly who Stanley Tucci is ... the CNN Italian series being screened on the Beeb - has been enjoyable. I dislike reading American versions, when I'm English ... c'est la vie.
@ Bazza - I hope I haven't been missing your posts, I will be over! I too love Italian cuisine ... but Greek and all things Mediterranean always draw me in. As you say the best freshest ingredients give the most appetising meals ...
Oh dear - I must obviously check out The Inside Man - thanks for the tip to that Thriller ...
Thanks so much everyone ... I'm really craving Osso Buco now! Oh well a simple supper tonight ... cheers Hilary
Misspellings, eh? Sounds like the book was written correctly ;)
Yes, I'm very familiar with Stanley Tucci, and I had heard of this show, but I don't get CNN, so I haven't seen it. Sounds like an interesting show and book. And congrats to your honorary goddaughter.
Osso Buco is one of my favourite dishes. We have a butcher in a nearby town where I can always buy it and we both just love it. The butcher is French, but married to an English lady, it is the only place I know of within driving distance where we can buy real bacon. She has convinced them there are enough English people around for them to make their own 😊
Loved this post, and yes as always, I learned many things I did not know before.
Take care and have a good weekend, cheers Diane
You can't beat Italian food.
I love Italian food! And adaptations. I also prefer my own bed - or, at least, an opinion on who is sharing it.
It's always fun to find those coincidences. That book might make a good gift for my wife. As those ideas are very difficult things to come up with, I thank you. My history with Italian food all takes place with the plate in front of me. I hope you have a great weekend.
@ Liz - yes misspellings to me ... being English I spell the English language the English way - not the American way ... I guess we had the language first?! The edition of the book was no doubt for the American market ... but the Americanised spelling always bugs me - being English with our English language ... perhaps you've not experienced it ...
I know I should have been aware of Tucci - but now I know!
@ Diane - how great another who loves Osso Buco ... co-incidence of the blogging world. Isn't that wonderful that your French butcher fell in love with an English lady ... so you get bacon - ours, despite the sad case of pig farmers in this country, comes from Germany - it's not the best quality, but it is bacon: the sort I buy!
Delighted to see you here ...
@ Sandra - yes a happy 'warm' at this time of year weekend ... and I hope you have the same ...
@ Mike - always good to eat out at a Mama's Italian restaurant ... delicious home-made recipes. Yup - my own bed is good - and definitely the choice with whom I share it ...
@ Dan - it is ... and those coincidences happen way too often. Isn't that great - I hope you get the book, and she enjoys it ... lots of interesting information in it ... so much so - I think the 'little one' will get another copy!
Ha ha - yes I can do that too ... but this book is an interesting read of history and food ...
Thanks so much for visiting and being interested - it always inspires me and makes me happy! ... cheers Hilary
Fun coincidences and that looks like the perfect book. I'm sure she will appreciate it.
Also - Stanley Tucci is an acting gift. He's always good. If you can find it, an early film is Big Night - he's an Italian brother in a restaurant. Also, he's played Paul Child in Julia and Julia. Trust me, he's been in a lot of films and makes his mark. And through the years, I think he's a man who's liked, respected, and always professional.
Cheers and good food!
The North of Italy is a delight, and Milan in particular is such fun. Milan's architecture is amazing, the culture has always been rich and the food supply fresh and wonderful.
@ Joanne - yes ... the co-incidences amuse me (at least) - glad they do you too ... I suspect the happy pair will be happy with the book over time. I know I'd not realised Tucci's acting roles - but I'm not the best cinema goer ... I've seen Julia and Julia too, nor had I realised he was in the Devil Wears Prada ... but he does sound highly respected - I saw the one on his home region yesterday - Calabria .. fascinating part of the world. Oh lucky us - good food - yes!
@ Hels - all of Italy is amazing - but I loved finding out more about the history through the book - I must read it properly ... and yes Milan has fabulous culture ...
Thanks to you both ... cheers Hilary
No, I am not familiar with Stanley Tucci. In fact, I had to look up the internet to know more. Interesting. Though I am not a foodie, I have tried out a couple of Italian dishes. In fact, here in Bengaluru, there are a few Italian restaurants.
Hi Pradeep - ah well at least there's one other person who hadn't realised Tucci's acting skills! I can imagine your preference for your own cultural foods ... which are probably as varied as our European ones ... but it's good to know there are Italian restaurants in Bengaluru ... I'd love to visit: unlikely, but who knows.
Thanks for commenting - cheers Hilary
I love coincidences like this! Now I feel like going through my cookbooks and seeing if I have an Italian one...
Hi Deniz - and I've yet another # to come ... but enjoy looking through your cookbooks for your co-incidences - cheers Hilary
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