Flavors of Friuli: 2011 BAIPA Book Award
Flavors of Friuli: A Culinary Journey through Northeastern Italy has just been awarded "Best Cookbook" in the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA) 2011 Book Award Program. Other awards: 2010…
Christmas Market in Udine
While strolling through downtown Udine on a chilly, mid-December evening, the sound of violins filled the air as I passed by a string trio performing on the sidewalk. Star-shaped Christmas…
A Day in San Daniele del Friuli
Following another satisfying breakfast buffet at Udine’s Hotel Principe, I set out for the bus station, conveniently located just a few steps down the street, and caught an early bus…
Udine: Civici Musei and Museo Diocesano
Today, we’ll visit two of Udine’s best-known museums: the Civici Musei and the Museo Diocesano. The Civici Musei, or “civic museums,” are located inside the Castello di Udine, reachable via…
Cjalsòns: Sweet & Savory
Served in nearly every restaurant throughout northern Friuli, cjalsòns are one of the region’s best-loved specialties. The word derives from the same root as the calzone from Naples, and the…
A Day in Cividale del Friuli
There was a chill in the air as I left Hotel Principe the next morning and crossed the street once again to the train station. Fortunately, this time, there were…
Sightseeing in Udine
My first morning at Udine’s Hotel Principe was greeted by a substantial buffet in the hotel’s downstairs breakfast room. After treating myself to a croissant and some frutti di bosco…
The Meaning of “Piena”
Now that Balance on the Ball had been published, I was craving another creative project. I had had some success writing a few articles for fitness magazines, but I yearned…
Ultimate Gnocchi di Zucca
My second visit to Friuli was brief—a one-day stopover in Udine with Mike (my then-boyfriend and now-husband). We had just spent an exhausting week in Venezia during Carnevale. Now, Venezia…
First Impressions: Udine and Trieste
It was merely by chance that my first four trips to Friuli took place in wintertime, and so my initial impressions of the region were a bit clouded by the…