Thoughts on the Table: Recent Episodes
Paolo Rigiroli
Hi! I'm Paolo, the author of Quatro Fromaggio and Other Disgraces on the Menu. This is Thoughts on the Table, an audioblog on food and food culture, with a special eye on the difference between the so-called Italian Food and the real food of continental Italy.
Join us in our journey through this fascinating subject as we touch on the concept of authenticity and on how culture influences our appreciation of flavor. Conversely, in the second part of the episode, Jason and I discuss some cooking trends that affect the flavor of food such as the tendency to finish cooking pasta in its sauce and to alter traditional recipes to make them visually pleasing for sharing on social media, more so than with our guests!
Today’s issue contains extracts from the first six episodes where Jason and I discuss flavor and taste, as well as cultural differences between Italy, North America, and Japan. Among other topics, we touched on why as an Italian I would never try to put salt on pasta, whether eating spicy food can damage our taste buds, the reason why desserts tend to end the meal, why many people learn to appreciate "spoiled" foods like Gorgonzola and Natto, what exactly astringency is, and the path to appreciating subtle flavors. To wrap up, I couldn’t help but include extracts from episode seven, a recording that took place right in the center of Milan on Jason’s impressions from visiting Italy for the first time.
Bread and Spirits is an Instagram feed that unites Italian cuisine and cocktails enthusiasts around the world. Born out of the March 2020 lockdown from the combined talents of Jasmina and Stefano, Bread and Spirits is visually stunning, informative, entertaining, and very much unique. In this episode, I have the pleasure to record Jasmina and Stefano’s first audio interview and capture their incredible energy and passion for food and drinks, but also for human connections and communication. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Is a cookbook on a cuisine a mirror of what takes place in its people’s kitchens? Or does it reflect more the desires and needs of its intended audience? And if that’s the case, are these desires of a practical nature, or for something that people like to dream about? These are some of the questions that Diana Pinto has been asking herself while going through lots of cookbooks as part of her “2-week cookbook project.”
Join us in this episode to hear more about the true cuisine of Italy by going over some unexpected Italian dishes, such as Mostarda, Bagna Cauda, Prosciutto and Cantaloupe, as well as evidence of many dishes wrongly labeled as "non-authentic" that are eaten daily all around the Peninsula, like Spaghetti alla Bolognese, Gnocchi al Pesto, Lasagne al Pesto, Carbonara with Pancetta, and Strawberry Tiramisu.
My guest today is Chicca Maione, an extraordinary cooking instructor for both in-person and online classes on Italian cuisine. Based in Castagneto Carducci - Bolgheri, Tuscany, Chicca shares her fascinating story, from her Neapolitan origins to the amazing experience of cycling all over the world for over ten years, before settling in Tuscany and seeing her love for food and cooking materialize into a new career. In the episode, Chicca Maione also goes over her philosophy on food, how to bring joy into the kitchen, and the benefits of cooking every day. Finally, she talks about the food she cooks the most (Italian-Mediterranean).
Geoff (We Regret To Inform You, Alone Together, Dietetics After Dark) answers my questions on podcast sound design and gives me a glimpse into the fascinating world of professional audio production. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
This episode's guests are podcasters Becca and Sarah from Dietetics After Dark, a highly trending podcast on food-related scandals, misconduct, fraud, and drama. In the episode, we learn more about Becca and Sarah, how Dietetics After Dark came to be, and how it's made behind the scenes.
Thoughts on the Table is back with a new guest, Diana Pinto, and a very special episode. As she describes it, Diana became interested in noting variations across different cookbooks. Incidentally and unexpectedly, this brought her to challenge the concept of authenticity or at least the implication that there's one true way to cook traditional Italian dishes, a claim that we see so frequently on social media and that risk having a deeply damaging effect.
During the episode, we discuss becoming absorbed into a new culture by learning people’s language and their values. We also talk about the immense richness of the Italian food traditions and the importance of capturing them faithfully to make them more accessible to other cultures. Finally, Wendy describes her current culinary projects and how podcasting has become such a central channel for her.
A reading on the six types of mistakes that are commonly found on the menus of Italian restaurants outside of Italy. A pretentious reminder that languages are more than a collection of nicely sounding words! (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Join us in our chat to hear Kristie's unique perspective on how much love and respect Italians have for their food, how much they honor even their humblest meals, and cherish the time spent with their families at the table. In the second part of the episode, Kristie talks about the many challenges (and rewards) of raising her children while exposing them to both British and Italian cultures and languages.
In this unusual episode, I try to break down Chinotto. From my memory of sipping it for the first time, to its presence while I was growing up in Italy, to the origin of its name, its flavor, and especially of its bitterness!
During the podcast, we talk about Eva's upbringing and the places she's lived, then we focus on Scandinavia and what's like in winter for a photographer who prefers to work with natural light. We also discuss blogging as a diary but also as storytelling, and the value of food blogs over recipe books. To conclude, Eva shares her most special recipe.
Join us to hear us compare our different childhood traditions between a farm in Saskatchewan (Canada), an apartment in Palermo (Sicily), and one near Milan. During the episode, we talk about how Nativity scenes can take on a local flavor, Miriam's riveting performance in her childhood Christmas play, stockings, the presents-opening ceremony (between candlelight and spotlight), and of course and at length about the food of the holidays!
Join us to hear more about the 9 food ambassadors that contributed the recipes and to hear us dig into some of them, such as tortellini, minestra maritata (Italian Wedding Soup), insalata russa, and salmon mousse.
During our chat, Christine and I compare our experiences fitting in into the culture of our adoptive homes and how we found it important to try to master the language, but also the local cuisine. Christine also reflects on how talking-while-cooking helps her be her real self and connect with her audience. Finally, we digress on the difficult task of cooking Italian food for native Italians, with the high bars set by their nonnas and with the brutal honesty they are known for!
During the episode, Marzia describes how much this cookbook means to her and presents a selection of its recipes: casatiello napoletano, polenta taragna, pizzoccheri, pesce all'acqua pazza, vitello tonnato, and crostoli!
Join us to hear Tina Prestia break down Ragu` alla Bolognese after she analyzed 50+ recipes and directly tested several of them. What ingredients are non-negotiables? What ingredients can be optional? What are most definitely a no-no?
In this episode, we dissect some of the most pressing questions Italians living in North America ask themselves, including: Why does fresh milk last three weeks? What is the difference between ice cream and gelato? How do Italians feel about the stereotypes associated with them?
Join me and my returning guest Raffaella De Amicis as we look at how our lives have changed over the last six months, and how we may be able to adjust our strategy during partial lockdown in order to support small businesses and reduce the risk of exposure, while always respecting local regulations.
During the episode, we discuss the four Roman pastas, the Florentine Lampredotto, sweet wine and cheese pairing, the Roman dish called Suppli`, and the three kinds of Roman pizza.
Please join us in this episode where we discuss the novel Cucina Tipica in its many aspects - from the significance of food in the Italian culture to the chemistry of taste, from culture shock and relocation to speaking a foreign language and what it does to interactions and introspection.
In the episode, Frank talks about his blogging process--from identifying a new dish to sourcing the ingredients, executing the preparation, taking the photos, writing the recipe, editing it for publication. In particular, Frank discusses his approach on measurements or lack thereof. In the second part of our chat, Frank gives his take on how blogging has changed in the last ten years and makes a prediction on how it may evolve in the future.
Tina Prestia is a food blogger with a fascinating background. She grew up in upstate New York in an Italian-American community (her dad being from Calabria), moved to New York City to pursue musical theater, graduated and worked at the French Culinary Institute, moved to Nashville working as a personal chef, then (five years ago) moved to Bologna, Italy.
As Melinda King puts it, Geographical Indications are a way to legally recognize 'quality of place', meaning: 'it tastes like it tastes because it's from this place.' In this episode, Melinda breaks down Certification of Origin in its deep 'cultural, social, political, economic, and historical meanings.' Also, she further elaborates on the impact of Geographical Indications by interviewing me as an Italian.
In the first part of the episode, Simon does an interesting comparison between commercial and domestic kitchens, touching for instance on timing, equipment, dealing with large quantities and consistency of product. In the second part, Simon goes through a list of 12 questions he's been asking other Italian food ambassadors to test their knowledge. How did I do? Do you agree with my answers?
Francesca introduces The 5-ingredient Italian Cookbook, a collection of 101 regional classics which stems from her experience as a cooking instructor. During the episode, Francesca shares a behind-the-scenes on the making of the book, from the choice of the recipes to the use of a test kitchen to validate them and photograph the resulting dishes.
Join us in our chat to learn more about Kelly and her deep connection to Italy. In the episode, Kelly describes how her blog posts and videos combine her passion for cooking, language, and the Italian culture. She also introduces #dolcevitabloggers, an open community for everyone who blogs about Italy in English or Italian.
Originally born in Naples, Marzia grew up near Valtellina, in Northern Italy before relocating to Vancouver, Canada. Recently, she shared on her blog the truth about her childhood events, which affected her entire life. In the episode, Marzia shares more details about her story. In the second part of our chat, Marzia talks about her cooking school and her goal to inspire more people to cook real food. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Following her six-year relocation to Italy and her subsequent return to the United States, Diana analyzes the life in New York city, where she is now based, in contrast with suburban living in the USA, and in surprising accordance with the Italian lifestyle she was used to.
Join me as I learn more about Pina, starting from her upbringings in an Italian family in Vancouver, speaking Italian at home and English at school, and spending her summers at her grandparents in Sperlonga, a seaside town between Rome and Naples. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
How do we cope with culture shock? When do we start adopting new habits? If we go back, do the acquired habits stick? Do we see our native land differently? Join us as we try to answer these and more questions while trying to break down the differences between Canada, England, and Italy. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
This episode's guest is Melinda King, an established writer and editor who has worked in the food industry and who has an extensive background in science and history. In our chat, Melinda introduces herself and then shares her view on what Italian food really is, with what I think of as one of the most insightful analysis I have ever encountered! (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Giuseppe describes how pizza makers outside of Naples can obtain an excellent product by operating on the variables they still can control, such as the dough, the oven, and the choice of ingredients, starting from tomato sauce and mozzarella. In the episode, Giuseppe also tries to define what Neapolitan pizza is, a controversial topic even within Naples itself, by stating what Neapolitan pizza definitely is not!
In the episode, Raffaele Asquer shares how the Foodiamo project was born, from the marketing research, to the choice of the name and logo, to the creation of a brand. Roberto Croci, writer and editor for several Italian entertainment magazines, tells about his desire to cover Italian food and how this led him to approach Foodiamo.
Crazy Italians is an Italian restaurant located in Memphis with a mission to feature nothing but continental Italian food. In order for the Italian owners to help explain their product, for over a year they have been producing amazing short videos featuring their daughters Azzurra and Lucrezia (9 and 13) who, every week, tackle a different Italian product or food concept by presenting informative facts in an entertaining way. In this podcast episode, owners Yvette, Giampaolo, and Azzurra share their story and describe the laborious process of video production, also including some funny behind the scenes! (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Nick Zingale is back on the show with his great storytelling to talk about Christmas and the way he and his Italian-American family celebrated it over the years. From the anticipation leading up to Christmas Eve, to the Feast of the Seven Fishes, to the many family gatherings. In the episode, I also talk about my own Christmas memories from growing up in northern Italy, with a special emphasis on the food.
During the interview, Enzo explains his link to the United States and how he started his blog to document his food, travel, and lifestyle experiences across from his hometown of Bergamo (in northern Italy) and his adoptive city of Columbia, Missouri. In the episode, Enzo and I also discuss some of the differences between Italians and Americans in the context of social interactions, lifestyle, and of course food.
Alida Zamparini from My Little Italian Kitchen is back on the show to give us an update on her latest recipes and blogging trips. As you will hear, Alida has been focusing on regional Italian products and artisan craftsmanship, which she documents on her blog. In particular, she describes her visit to "the dairyman," an artisan who makes ricotta in the traditional way in the Friulian Alps, and the production of the black fig of Caneva, which Alida makes good use of in her figs and ricotta tart. In the second part of the episode, Alida introduces her passion for ancient grains such as spelt and Kamut Khorasan, which she uses for their rustic feel, depth of flavor, and wholesomeness in her berry crostata and Kamut pizza. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
David from Cocoa and Lavender joins me to discuss a guest article I wrote in collaboration with other Italian bloggers on the "Basic Rules of Italian Food." For instance, among the various topics, we talk about the fact that no Italian would dare to cut spaghetti with a knife, to have a cappuccino after a meal, or to cook pasta other than in plenty of salted water at full boil. To conclude the episode, David introduces his latest recipe which is dedicated to the traditional Ligurian pasta shape called "Corzetti". (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
During the episode, Simon talks about his Italian roots, his deeply Australian upbringing, and how his discovery of traditional Italian food led him to embrace authenticity in his trattoria, even against the general expectations of his patrons. In our exchange, we touch on several hot topics including: the three fundamental pasta sauces of Rome (Gricia, Amatriciana and Carbonara) and how they should be properly executed; the overrated role of fresh pasta and the surprising presence of dried pasta in the diet the of Italians; the omnipresence of balsamic vinegar outside of Italy versus the appreciation of plain wine vinegar in Italy; the difference between serving pasta in large amounts of sauce and lightly coating it, in a balance of flavor and texture. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
During his day-trip to San Giovanni in Galdo, Nick Zingale has a series of encounters that make him closer to his roots and that he will remember forever. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Nick Zingale shares another chapter of his past Italian trip which allowed him to explore his southern Italian roots. In this episode, he takes us through his emotional journey to Molise, the small Italian region where his maternal ancestors were from. Particularly, he talks about the paese of Matrice and its strong connections to Cleveland. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Linda talks about what brought her to Brussels, Belgium and about her motivations for starting a blog, which she describes through hilarious examples and colorful stories. She also talks about her inspiration as a cook, her most important recipes, and her plans for future projects and collaborations.
Nick Zingale is back with his great storytelling and distinctive charm to talk about his journey throughout the Italian peninsula that took place about a year ago. With the ultimate goal of reaching his ancestors' towns in southern Italy, Nick explored several destinations along the way, and some out of the way. In this episode, he shares entertaining tales from short trips to the beautiful Cinque Terre, Lake Orta, and Como. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Is it true that Italians drink espresso all the time? Live with their parents until they're 30 years old? And they all know how to dress up? In this entertaining episode, Nick and I try to debunk these and more stereotypes. But will we succeed?
Mark Preston, food writer, blogger, and cookbook author, talks about his encounters with Italian cuisine while growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, and how this experience prompted him to travel to Europe, as he says, 'just to go to Italy to eat!' He also analyzes how the popularization of the Mediterranean diet may have caused a shift in preference from Thai to Italian in Los Angeles, where he now lives. Finally, Mark reveals his thoughts on what, in the fifties, caused the Americans to go crazy for pizza!
Nick Zingale is an American of Italian descent who lived and traveled in Italy and Europe for seven months last year. He joins me in this episode for a fascinating overview of his experience abroad, which he documented on his personal blog - from working as an English teaching assistant, to his discovery of his ancestors' native towns in Sicily and Molise, to his solo travel around the Italian peninsula. Throughout the episode, Nick shares plenty of insights on Italy and the Italians from his special point of view of someone who grew up in an Italian-American family.
In this feature, Francesca talks about her unique upbringings, with her family straddling between Boston and a small village in southern Italy, and between adopting new traditions and maintaining their old ones, while living abroad. In the second part of the episode, Francesca describes how she made professional use of her Italian background both by teaching Italian cooking classes and by organizing and conducting culinary tours of Italy.
Jason, my original podcast co-host, is back on the show with one of his topics. With our usual investigative approach, Jason and I theorize on why North Americans seem to focus on high ranking foods (the so-called 'proteins'), relegating the rest of the dish to mere accompaniments, whereas the Italians - and the Japanese - value dishes in which the various components are paired harmoniously. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Giulia Robert, food blogger and recipe developer, has been a constant presence on the web for over 5 years with her fabulous recipes ranging from classic Piedmontese dishes to modern creations. She is also an active member and editor of MTChallenge, a virtual competition between bloggers, and of the Italian Association of Food Bloggers, best known for its food calendar. Join us in our chat to learn more about Giulia's background and to hear her describe some of her most successful creations, a series of iconic dishes with a Piedmontese twist!
This episode's guest is Cannolo Award winner Ale Gambini, food blogger, recipe developer, and web series host. Ale just published her first cookbook titled 'A Queen in the Kitchen', which she dedicates to her grandma Fernanda and to the cuisine of her Milan and of northern Italy. Join us in our chat to hear us compare our notes and memories, and to learn more about northern Italian dishes which are largely unknown around the world. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Join me to hear from Giulia’s own voice how it all began and how it has evolved. During the episode we also talk about the recipe development that led Giulia to writing her fifth cookbook which will feature 100 recipes inspired by tradition, and which will not include Chicken Parmigiana - a dish you will not find it in Italy! (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Among the various topics we touched on, Alida talks about her fascination for the weekly Italian street markets, the experience of meeting an artisan butter and cheese maker in an Italian latteria, and her fantastic achievements to attend a pasta making workshop personally held by Giovanni Rana and to be part of a TV show with top chef Jamie Oliver. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
My Italian Friends is a network of home restaurants and cooking workshops specifically tailored to travelers who are interested in a deeper intercultural exchange with the locals. myitalianfriends.com allows visitors to connect with their Italian hosts and book the perfect experience.
Domenica Marchetti, cookbook author and food writer, talks about her mother's native land: the Abruzzo region, in central-southern Italy. Domenica describes Abruzzo's geography, traditions, people, and of course food. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Classical musician by training and profession, David has traveled in Europe for extended periods and around the world, learning languages and absorbing people's cultures, especially through their food. But out of all cultures, David considers himself "Italian in spirit", having found in the Italian lifestyle his deepest connection.
In this episode-interview, Domenica talks about her Italian origins and her relationship with food, as well as how her former career as a journalist led her to becoming a cookbook author. Domenica also brings her authoritative contribution on various themes with plenty of examples and colorful stories.
This episode is the narrated version of my article on the tradition of the Mercato, the Italian street market. This was a very meaningful post for me, I'm hoping that through my voice I can communicate its content in a more meaningful way. Also, the post contains an original recording from a northern Italian mercato. I hope you'll enjoy it!
Francesca has always had a unique relationship with food, but food also became an academic interest of hers. For her bachelor in linguistics, she wrote a thesis on food as a communication system, through the example of Massimo Bottura - an incredibly rich experience during which she had the chance to capture Bottura's personal message and how he spreads it. As natural continuation on her food path, Francesca enrolled in a master's program in Food Culture and Communications at the "Slow Food University", which resulted in another incredibly rich learning experience. In her master's thesis she redefined the meaning of culinary authenticity through the analysis of the recipe as the linguistic path that allow us to associate a dish to its name. As a testament to her passion and insight, Francesca then joined the team at Osteria Francescana. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Are you a panettone lover, or more of a fan of pandoro? Will you have 'cotechino' with lentils for New Year's Eve? Gino is back for a festive episode on Italian traditions around Christmas and New Year's Eve.
Join us for a fascinating chat on regional differences in Italy, the complex relationship between Catholicism and superstition, how to dress like an Italian, and the significance of the bidet in Italy!
Join us to discuss the differences between Italy and North America in wine production, as well as in how wine is consumed and socially perceived in the two countries. In the second part of the episode, Diana gives a roundup of Piedmont's native grape varieties and world-renowned appellations, such as Barolo, Dolcetto, and Barbaresco.
Hannah Solomon talks about her internship at SZ Tartufi, a truffle farm in Abruzzo, revealing the fascinating process of truffle cultivation, and of truffle hunting with the aid of dogs. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
As part of her job as a wedding planner, Valentina has been helping people from various parts of the world discover Italy and the Italian traditions. Join us to hear how her background led to the creation of Experience Italy Travels, which also features 'Italy: instructions for use', a fun section written by yours truly :).
Journalist Diana Zahuranec (Wine Pass) is back on the show to talk about her Master's thesis on the subject, which followed her experiences living in Italy. In this episode, Diana also shares her updated observations now that she has been living and working in Italy for over 3 years. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Professional photographer Raffaella De Amicis outlines photographic fundamentals and presents a primer on food photography: from light and composition, to food styling and the use of props. In the second part of the episode, Raffaella talks about her Italian descent and shares her take on culinary authenticity. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Jason gives an isightful overview of websites and apps that are changing the culture around food and that are thriving in San Francisco, the capital of technology and entrepreneurship. (Music by www.purple-planet.com)
Join us to hear more about Valerie, her passion for Piedmont and her experience at the International Truffle fair which is currently taking place in her hometown: Alba.
Friend and tour operator Marta, who was born and raised in Piedmont, lived for eight years in Vancouver, and is now based in the UK, talks about Piedmont and its cuisine, and about cultural difference and similarities between Italy, Vancouver (Canada), and Cambridge (UK).
Join me to hear how Diana Zahuranec, a fellow attendee of Turin Epicurean Capital, fell in love with Italy, earned a Master's in Food Culture and Communications from the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences of Turin, and eventually established herself in Italy working for Wine Pass, an online magazine on wine and wine tourism based in Alba.
Join me to hear how Benedetta Oggero, English translator and interpreter by training, rediscovered her passion for food while living in the UK, and upon returning to Turin became a personal chef and opened a catering business: Miss Bee. Benedetta will take part of the food literature event Turin Epicurean Capital as an interpreter and cooking instructor.
Meet foodblogger Paola, hear her thoughts on what constitutes authentic Italian food, and get her tips on how to source suitable ingredients in north America. Also, don't miss Paola's overview of the food of her native city, Bergamo - the birthplace of Taleggio and the capital of polenta!
Elisa Cerruti talks about some of her discoveries in nutrition and health as she and introduces her two blogs: Milk Honey and Rum, the first website dedicated to Piedmontese recipes for non Italian-natives, and Latte Rhum e Miele, which focuses on natural remedies, alternative medicine, and healthy food.
Food writer Simona Carini (Briciole) describes how she made use of both her artistic and her scientific side to learn how to make bread, pasta, and cheese.
In this episode Lucia talks about her background and how she conceptualized the event. She also mentions the list of acclaimed writers and food professionals which are going to participate, and gives a fascinating description of the city of Turin.
In this episode, Christina shares how important the preservation of traditional Italian dishes is to her, as well as her other motivations as a food blogger. She also reveals one of her sources of inspiration in the development of original recipes.
Join me as I ask grandma about the times before, during and after the war (naturally, with a special focus on food and cooking) and learn why in wartime it's "better to be a farmer!
Fiona talks about her life in Italy (where she moved from New York as a child), and especially in Milan - a city of deep traditions and a growing multiculturalism.
Join me as I learn more about Frank and his fascinating journey from his upbringing in an Italian immigrant household, through his 10 years spent in Rome, to his creation of one of the most popular blogs about Italian food on the web!
In this episode, I have the pleasure to interview Andrea Bini, chef and owner of The BiBo Pizzeria con Cucina in Vancouver, Canada. Join me to hear how he manages to remain true to authentic Italian flavors while trying to satisfy a variety of palates.
How important is good food photography in attracting readers? What are Manu's methods to turn visitors into followers? Manuela answers these and many more blogging questions in this new episode.
Manu is back for another episode! This time she talks about popular Australian food, from her Italian perspective.
In this episode, I have the pleasure to introduce a new guest: my friend and renowned foodblogger Manuela Zangara from manusmenu.com. Manuela talks about herself as a foodblogger and presents her latest creation: Manu's Christmas Menus, an eBook containing 4 Italian-inspired menus especially designed for the holidays.
This week, Jessica takes us through a number of known and less known Italian dishes - starting from Naples and Sicily, through Rome and Tuscany, to northern Italy. Find out what is authentic and what isn't, and maybe even discover some dishes you still don't know.
In this episode, Jessica Burgio talks about the difficulty of recreating traditional Italian dishes in North America, and gives her suggestions on how to make use of what's locally available. She also explains how sometimes regional Italian dishes are hard to recreate even within Italy, when taken outside of their native areas.
Welcome to a brand new series with guest blogger Jessica Burgio! In this first episode, Jessica introduces herself and gives an overview of North American foods from an Italian perspective. Particularly, Jessica focuses on the foods of Florida, where she lives, including: Grits, Conch Fritter, Key Lime Pie, and of course Gators!
This episode is dedicated to the Slow Food Movement. Join me and Gino De Blasio as we discuss why the Slow Food Movement is essential to Italy and why fast-food has a place but not a home in Italy.
Gino and I are back with one more episode on Italian misconceptions. Today we are focusing on Pesto, Antipasto and Meatballs.
I am back with Gino De Blasio for a new episode of Thoughts on the Table. This week, as we dissect two more misconceptions: Parmigiana and Balsamic, Gino and I explain the reasons that motivate us to protect and preserve authentic Italian food. Thanks for listening!
Thoughts on the Table is back with a new topic: Italian Food Around the World. With me is Gino De Blasio, an amazing writer and blogger based in the UK. Join us in our chat on how Italian food abroad often mutates into something else, and in our plead to preserve traditional Italian recipes and food philosophy. Gino blogs at Eatosi, a unique way of food storytelling, looking at the cultural, historic and sometimes completely absurd links between food and modern day life. He is also a features writer for Italy Magazine, looking at sport, wine and -yes- even the journey of Italian food across the globe.
Do we eat just for the energy content or also because we need specific nutrients? Can food influence our mood? What happens when something spicy comes in contact with our mouth? What causes the inflammation that turns our lips red? Join me in another special edition of Thoughts on the Table to get all the answers and more from my good friend Davide Anchisi, a neuroscientist at the Dep. of Medical and Biological Sciences of the University of Udine (Italy).
Don't miss this special edition of Thoughts on the Table recorded "on location" in Italy! Check out Jason's first impressions on his first time in the country, as he told me when we met in busy Piazza Duomo, in the heart of Milan.
This week's episode concludes this series on flavor by talking about anomalies in flavor perception, how 'tannins' work, and by touching on the controversial theme of cultural attitude towards innards.
Jason and Paolo are back for a new episode. This week, it's about the rewarding path to appreciating subtle flavors. Also, as a bonus, Jason presents his theory as to why North Americans don't like liver anymore.
Join Jason and Paolo for this week's interesting and entertaining episode exploring why certain flavors are acquired tastes. Why do we enjoy "spoiled" products like Gorgonzola and Natto? Why do we put cream and sugar in coffee? Why some people can't stand root beer, cilantro, dill pickles, or even sushi?
Join Jason and Paolo as they resume their conversation on flavor. This week's topic is umami, the mysterious fifth taste: its discovery and etymology, its presence in nature, and its negative image as MSG.
Jason and Paolo are back for another episode on flavor. This time, it's all about sweetness: cultural attitudes towards it, the purpose of sugars in the diet, and the reason why desserts end the meal. Finally, as a bonus, don't miss Paolo's disgusted response to ice cream floats!
Is the perception of salt absolute or subjective? Is there such thing as a spicy taste? Does eating spicy food damage our taste buds? Join Paolo and Jason as they answer these questions and more in this episode on flavor titled Salty and Spicy.