Hello IFF Subscribers!

As we move in September, the temperatures are finally cooling down and I am beginning to crave heartier fare such as soups and stews. The produce in our local markets now includes figs, fall greens, and cabbage and some of the summer fruit is no longer available. The Festa di Cipolla (Onion Festival) in Cannara is now taking place, and soon many of the fall truffle festivals will begin. I believe it really is time to say farewell to summer for this year!

My husband and his cycling friends are continuing on their trip after having rode across the French Alps, and are now biking across Tuscany and will arrive here in Umbria tomorrow where we will have a victory celebration meal including many of my Umbrian favorites. I've stayed home taking care of our property and guests while my husband has been away, and have used the time to do some needed organizing which isn't much fun, but very satisfying once completed.

Hope everyone is enjoying having the kids back at school, and is having a GREAT September!

Olive Oil Potatoes with Roasted Garlic
I love olive oil, and since we harvest our own olives every fall, I am a very lucky cook because I have my own supply of amazing extra virgin olive oil on hand at all times. I use olive oil in baking as well as for just about everything else I cook. I have been making olive oil potatoes seasoned with garlic, fresh rosemary sprigs and coarse sea salt for the past couple of years and they have become my family's favorite way to prepare potatoes. Get The Recipe......

Pasta With Cherry Tomatoes & Herbed Ricotta
The summer is beginning to wind down, and although I will be sorry to see it go, I'm thoroughly enjoying my bounty of end-of-summer tomatoes. This time of year, tomatoes are at their peak, equally delicious raw, cooked, or lightly touched by heat, as they are in this recipe. This is one of those quick and easy pasta dishes that can be completed from start to finish in under twenty minutes if you have everything on hand, making it a great option for a busy weeknight meal. Get The Recipe......

Blueberry Streusel Cake
I've had a really busy summer season this year and the past few months have just flown by. Hard for me to believe, but it is already September and the countdown has begun for our departure from Italy once again. I've spent lots of time in the kitchen trying out lots of new recipes but I do not always have time to take photos of the food I am preparing for guests so can't get the recipes posted. I have made this coffee cake a couple of times for our farmhouse guests, as well as a couple of times for us, and I finally decided that this is one recipe I really needed to share. Get The Recipe......

Warm Goat Cheese In Tomato Sauce
This has to be one of the easiest appetizer recipes that I make, and I have yet to find anyone of any age that didn't love it. I often serve this dish often when we have guests over for a very casual get-to-gether, or before we make pizza. It can be made in one large dish for a party, or created in individual baking dishes so each person gets their own.

Though you could use prepared tomato sauce, my 10 minute sauce tastes very fresh and delicious it is well worth making your own for this simple dish. Get The Recipe......