Chicca's Cooking Club

Ciao my friend! Buon anno - Happy New Year! Cheers to new beginnings, to the good and the challenges that have yet to come. Because, after all, that's what life is all about, isn't it?Our holiday season was quiet and isolated, thanks to a visit from Santa Covid before Santa Claus. Arnaud and I had to say goodbye to all our plans and celebrate Christmas in the company of our beloved cats and dogs. It turned out to be a much-needed opportunity to rest—a lot. Sometimes, the best holiday plans...

Buongiorno! As spring blooms across the Tuscan landscape, the chill of winter begins to fade replaced by the gentle warmth of the sun. If spring were a color, what would it be for you? Pink, white, vibrant hues of green, nature paints with a delicate palette of colors. A sense of renewal fills the air and the bikes are free again after a couple of weeks of rain. It's a time of abundance and freshness, where the flavors of springtime ingredients shine brightly in every dish.Tender asparagus...

Ciao Reader,I hope this letter finds you well and in a good spirit. We returned from a quick visit to my family in Naples to find a new season awaiting us in Tuscany. A different light. A crescendo of bird songs. Nature, ready to explode. Spring. According to the calendar, spring officially begins on March 21st. In my garden, like before a concert, the preparations for this change have already commenced. After evenings by the fireplace or working on the computer wrapped in a warm blanket, the...

Ciao Reader! Did you know that you can use rice in a dessert? I discovered this when I moved to Tuscany and I just fell in love with these Tuscan rice pudding mini-tartlets. Crunchy outside and soft inside, they are an irresistible treat: a flaky crust filled with citrus-infused rice pudding & custard cream. Join me on Saturday, March 16, for this exclusive live online cooking class from my kitchen in Tuscany via Zoom. Create Tuscan Rice Pudding Tartlets in your home kitchen and expand your...

Ciao Reader, Greetings from my Tuscan kitchen! This monthly letter aims to inspire you to cook with seasonal ingredients, offering Italian recipes for lunch or dinner ideas, and take a little stress out from deciding: what are we eating today? I like to keep it short and straight to the point without a lot of blah blah blah. Here's one of my favorite Italian recipes from my repertoire, that I shared live via Zoom in past classes. It's delicious, healthy, and perfect for this season. Usually...

February in Tuscany is an underrated month. Here on the coast, near the Mediterranean, the climate is mild and we are blessed with many sunny days. Despite the countryside sleeping in silence, the first blooms begin: almond trees are the first to show their beauty. They are like small lights lit in a landscape that seems lifeless but is ready to explode. It's palpable. Everywhere. Small buds on the trees, shy little flowers hiding in the grass. I think February is the cousin of May,...

Ciao my friend! If you're a soup lover, don't miss this class! After cooking this butternut squash soup many times, I think I found the perfect recipe: velvety and creamy without using cream. Once you try it, you’ll want to add it to your comfort food rotation. Join me on Saturday, February 3, for this exclusive live online cooking class from my kitchen in Tuscany via Zoom. You'll learn how to turn a simple seasonal ingredient like butternut squash into a comforting and flavorful bowl of...

Ciao Reader! Do you think making handmade pasta is challenging? I say, not at all! Join me on January 20 for this exclusive live online cooking class from my kitchen in Tuscany via Zoom. You’ll discover the magic and ease of crafting cavatelli pasta, just using flour and water! I'd love for you and anyone in your household to cook alongside me! If you sign up today, we'll offer you a discount! Get this class for 27.75$ instead of 37$ (save 25%) by entering the coupon code ENEWS25 at check...

Ciao Reader! I hope you had a peaceful Christmas and are gracefully stepping into the new year. Quick check-in to see if you'd like to join our May 8 - May 12, 2024 Food & Wine Trip to explore the Etruscan Coast of Tuscany, facing the Mediterranean and renowned for its Super Tuscan wines. April is fully booked, but we have spots available in May. Interested? Just to remind you, our Food & Wine Trip is a 5-day all-inclusive experience and we'll provide you with a full immersion into Tuscan...