Hey you, foodie, home cook,  food lover and whom ever you might be.

It’s Taco Tuesday and It’s pasta for dinner. That made no sense at all. Since we’re having pasta for dinner today it made me think about the vacations I’ve had in Italy, more specific the three weeks I spent In Tuscany over 10 years ago. I love Italian food, and we eat a lot of Italian food in our family.

Let’s take a look at Tuscany and it’s wonderful kitchen. What explains the Tuscan kitchen the best?  Simplicity, earthy, yet balanced and reflected, that’s what the Tuscan kitchen is all about.  The food is not very different from the people who lives in Tuscany. Very straightforward and honest. For those of you whom have been to Tuscany knows all about their rolling hillsides, olive groves and low mountains. The landscape of Tuscany is as beautiful as the food.  The culinary culture of the big cities may appear somewhat more luxurious then the country’s side cuisine. The food is equally amazing if you ask me. The people who live in Tuscany tends to keep it local, using the locally produced ingredients.   There are some differences between the city life cooking and the country side, but that’s life, that’s how it’s always been and will always be. But in general they’re known for it’s Olive oil, bread, herbs, pecorino, different variety of vegetables, mushrooms, Steak, pork,  a good variety of sausages, and let’s not forget the Panforte the most famous baked goods. Tuscany is known for it’s good food and culinary pleasures.

Tuscany is not only known for it’s food but also for it’s wine. First we got the one and only Superstar Chianti. Both when it comes to the culinary world and to the wine-world Chianti is a superstar. I love the food and the wine from this area. I remember walking into a world famous butcher shop while I was staying in Greve  in Chianti. It was a culinary experience I’m honored to have been apart of. It was even more amazing that one could ever imagine. The wine in this area is also one of the best I’ve ever tasted, simply amazing. But Wines of Tuscany in general are one of the best in the world and I can’t argue about that because after my opinion that’s pure fact.

Most used herbs in Tuscany:

Sage, rosemary, basil, parsley, terragon, mint, thyme and borage.

I do use a lot of fresh rosemary, parsley and thyme, sage and basil during the summer. During the winter I tend to use more dried spices than fresh because it’s a whole lot easier to grow herbs outside in the backyard. Well, that’s what I keep telling myself.

This was it from my side of the kitchen today. I hope y’all have an amazing Taco Tuesday, and I hope to see you back here tomorrow for a new post.

Until next time..

• Hetty