Sipping Espresso

Since Thanskgiving is tomorrow - here is a suggestion of something you can do to dress up your leftovers. Risotto is a favorite of mine; winter, spring, summer or fall.  While cooking risotto, I like to use fresh, seasonal ingredients - and with fall comes all things pumpkin.  So, this was my chance to combine one of my favorite dishes with one of my favorite fall flavors.   Risotto con zucca (Risotto with pumpkin) However, when it came to the Thanksgiving dinner we just had, I knew it would be too much for a first course.  While risotto is relatively simple to prepare it is time consuming and requires my undivided attention for at least 20 minutes.  I decided instead to create a new family tradition.  My plan was to serve pumpkin risotto the day after Thanksgiving, along with all of the other delicious leftovers.  I think it’s a perfect way to add a new element to a meal we've already eaten a couple times over by lunch t...

Can you believe that they don't celebrate Thanksgiving here in Italy?!  They also don't celebrate the Fourth of July , Memorial Day or Labor Day !  I know weird , right?! Our Thanksgiving table is set Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays.  Of course I love the spirit of Christmas , the fun costumes of Halloween (another holiday that they don't really celebrate), the fireworks of our Independence Day ... but nothing can match the guilt-free ability to gorge on delicious food all...day...long!  And if that wasn't good enough, you are then permitted... nah, encouraged to lay on your duff and watch football until it's time to re-heat a plate of leftovers. Julia was Superwoman for Halloween this year - even though she was one of few kids dressed up We knew that we weren't going to give up our tradition of Thanksgiving just because we are living in another country.  In fact, we were excited to share our holiday and traditions with Jen's rel...