Join me on a virtual adventure in shopping, cooking, and dining that spans the cuisines of Florida and Italy.
Join me on a virtual adventure in shopping, cooking, and dining that spans the cuisines of Florida and Italy.
I'm a dual-national with homes in Orlando and Verona. Having grown up between Tuscany, Sicily, and South Florida including the islands of Sanibel and Islamorada, I learned to love and cook a broad variety of foods. Seafood and pasta dishes are my passions, but I also love the rich robust flavors of Tuscany. In addition to my organic love of foods, I also hold higher degrees in 'Health Psychology / Behavioral Medicine', and 'Wholistic Nutrition Education', which further inform my knowledge of food and its connection to physical, mental, and spiritual health. Although you will find consistent ingredients in my recipes, like lemons, turmeric, and sage; I have but one secret ingredient, and it is a life long love of cooking, eating, and sharing fresh healthy foods.
Whether in Italy or Florida, I probably spend as much time at the market as I do in my kitchens. I love to search for fresh ingredients, and to peruse the produce and meat sections for just the right bulb or cut. Growing up in Italy, I learned the benefits of shopping several times a week, and at different markets.
Growing fresh herbs is easy. And there is nothing quite like the joy you'll get out of nurturing them, the fragrance they bring to your garden, and the ease of stepping outside and clipping a valuable addition to your meal.
Did you know that many, if not most of the medicines we take are derived from natural herbs and spices? My recipes incorporate ingredients that feed the palate and nurture the body. You'll find a list of some of my favorite ingredients in my BLOG entry below, titled 'Ingredients to Get Comfy With'.
Nestled in the foothills of the dolomintes, on the southern shores of Lake Garda, is a lovely little villa I call home when in Italia. The winters get quite chilly in the north of Italy. My beloved dog Stella is seen here, resting and enjoying the warmth in front of my gas oven.
My cozy Orlando bungalow sits between three lakes and beside a park. Like the house, the kitchen is small, but it suits my culinary needs. And of course Stella is a constant fixture in my kitchens on both sides of the Atlantic. When I'm not preparing my meals at home, I'm investigating the treasure trove of excellent Central Florida restaurants, with wonderful opportunities for continuing culinary inspiration.
Two2Kitchens is a journey through space and time. Those who want to know about the food they eat and its origins and evolution will find the site of particular interest. If you haven't been to a fast food restaurant in over a decade, or you're celebrating your first week of fast-food-free dining, you've found a safe place here. Whether you're trying to lose a few pounds, or just get or stay healthy, you'll find tips in every recipe and BLOG entry, including recommendations for my favorite healthy prepared products. If your culinary preferences lean toward the flavors of Italy and Florida and you find yourself adding fresh herbs to your flower vases, you'll feel very much at home in my virtual kitchens. If 'fresh' is your favorite flavor, you're in the right place. Welcome my friend! Pour yourself a glass of wine or a cup of herbal tea and pull up a chair at my two kitchen tables.