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Noteworthy Notizie – September 25th

Arte Modus Canal

We’ve had an interesting week in DC, with all of the commotion from the Pope.  We love the power of an image from the Washington Post – DC starts to look a lot like the Vatican, right down to the obelisk.

 

If you’r reading this on Friday, it’s probably time you poured your self a Spritz. Here are five bitter drinks we wish were a bigger deal in the USA, from Food 52. Italy has been drinking bitter for a very long time—and we should be following suit.
Here are just a few reasons why having a kitchen garden on vacation is amazing.

 

Were the bones of the Real Mona Lisa just unearthed? We’ll let you decide.

 

Milan Fashion week just began! Here is the recap from the Wall Street Journal.

 

We kicked off our weekend a little early with a wine tasting with Arte Modus Design Studio last night. Cheers to everyone who came out! We hope your weekend is filled with little luxuries and relaxation.

 

–Ci Vediamo!

Via Umbria

 

 

We've had an interesting week in DC, with all of the commotion from the Pope.  We love the power of an image from ...

15 Minute Recipe – Cannara Onion Pasta

Via Umbria pasta

The excitement from the Sagra della Cipolla has us thinking onions…so this week we whipped up a special pasta using the marinated onions from Italy. Using our handy Arrabbiata seasoning we created a quick, unconventional, and spicy pasta that was fun and satisfying (and took less time then it takes to drink a glass of wine).

This meal is vegan, but fresh parmesan and bacon crumbles can be added if desired.

 

INGREDIENTS: 

1 box of Verrigni Soqquardo pasta

1 cup Cipolla Rossa onions and the oil from the jar

1 cup fresh spinach

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

3 cloves of garlic

1/2 tablespoon Arrabbiata seasoning 

Via Umbria Georgetown Cooking

Process

Dice your garlic and halve your tomatoes as you set a lightly salted pot of water to boil.

http://viaumbria.com/emporio/sauces-spices-antipasti/preserved-anitpasti/pisaroni-cipolla-rossa.html

Pour the onions into a non stick pan, making sure to include the flavored oil.

onion cippolla

Add the garlic, turn to low heat, and soften while the water boils.

cipolla rossa

add garlic

add tomatoes

Add the cherry tomatoes and continue to cook on low heat.

http://viaumbria.com/emporio/pasta-grain/pasta/verrigni-soqquadro.html

As you add the pasta to the water, season the onions and the tomatoes with our arrabbiata seasoning. It’s spicy, so season to your taste! http://viaumbria.com/emporio/sauces-spices-antipasti/spices/il-boschetto-arrabbiata-sea-salt.html

Combine with pasta with the tomato and onion mixture in the saucepan and stir on low heat for another two minutes, as you add the spinach (it will lightly wilt). _DSC0246 _DSC0253

Garnish with chopped walnuts and more seasoning if desired.

square pasta

Pour your self a glass of wine, and enjoy!

_DSC0267

Ci Vediamo!

–Via Umbria

The excitement from the Sagra della Cipolla has us thinking onions…so this week we whipped up a special pasta using the marinated onions from Italy. ...

Guest Post – An Italian Garden

Elsa Bruno, a Via Umbria employee, recently spent two weeks in Umbria at La Fattoria del Gelso. Here are some of her thoughts from the time spent in Italy. 

____

Meals in Umbria were always a treat. As anyone who has visited Italy can tell you, eating is a central activity. But some of the most memorable meals were not made in a restaurant, but  prepared from the Farmhouse’s very backyard.

Unlike a hotel, or traditional rental, La Fattoria del Gelso has a working kitchen garden for use by the guests.

 

The row of tomatoes in the garden
The row of tomatoes in the garden

Building a meal around what you have physically growing next to you feels so refreshing. The task of thinking of a dinner is not exhausting when you have a finite amount of fresh materials. After a long day of activity, the question “what will we have for dinner?” is met by a glance out the back door. What do we have?

La Fattoria Del Gelso food IMG_2685-1

Many times that question was met with the answer of tomatoes, lettuce, eggplant, and tons of figs. Enter leafy salads topped with local olive oil, fried eggplant tucked into pasta, tomatoes drizzled with oil and tossed with mozzarella, and figs paired with sharp local pecorino cheese. No matter how many times we had a combination of those dishes, we kept coming back for more.

produce agrotourismo IMG_3045

A glass of local wine (from a vineyard visited that afternoon) was always poured as we assembled the ingredients from the garden and set to work on our dinner preparation. Soon we were walking out to the pool with our hand painted ceramics and wine glasses, to eat a simple yet delectable meal as the sun set.

Tomatoes and basil from the garden with mozzarella, lettuce from the garden with artichokes and with beans, fried eggplant from the garden.
Tomatoes and basil from the garden with mozzarella, lettuce from the garden with artichokes and with beans, fried eggplant from the garden.

Being able to cook and eat like a local is a fun part of any vacation. But claiming to have a huge garden entirely at your disposal while vacationing? Now that’s La Fattoria del Gelso. 

 

The dates for 2016 are now open. I would suggest you book a trip of your own, if not just to see what’s in season in the garden.

— Elsa at Via Umbria 

Via Umbria from the eyes of Elsa Bruno Read more

Elsa Bruno, a Via Umbria employee, recently spent two weeks in Umbria at La Fattoria del Gelso. Here are some of her ...

Noteworthy Notizie

Dolce

Can you believe it’s already past mid-September? Did post-Labor Day have you jumping into tons of new activities? Are you finding time for Spritz O Clock?

Well for your weekend we have a lot of fun articles this week. Take a look:

 

This Italian dog atones for whatever he did in the most adorable way. We can’t stop laughing.

 

Marco Invernizzi, an Italian biker, is making his way around the world and is now in America.

 

Photos from Italy in the 1950’s are nostalgic, but all of these photos don’t look too far off from what one would see today. Italy is timeless, which is part of its magic!

 

Food 52 does a dessert tour of Italy. We would suggest you stop by our online store and pick up some sweet essentials.

 

So Beyonce went to Italy

 

Lavazza will direct more than a third of its investment budget toward the U.S. this year as Italy’s biggest coffeemaker seeks to triple revenue in a country that accounts for less than 10 percent of sales. More espresso! We’re in.

 

In other news, the Pope is coming to Washington DC. Don’t forget to pick up your towels and Pope salt!

 

We hope you have a lovely September weekend!

 

Ci Vediamo

 

— Via Umbria

September 18th Read more

Can you believe it's already past mid-September? Did post-Labor Day have you jumping into tons of new activities? Are you finding time ...

Quick Wednesday Antipasti

antipasti

Sometimes, you get home from work and can’t even begin to think about making dinner, despite hearing your stomach roar.

Do you give up, and order out? Do you flop on the couch with a king-size popcorn for “dinner?” While these can both be acceptable from time to time, a simpler option can be to pour yourself a glass of wine, assemble a two second antipasti platter for you and your dining partner, and slowly unwind while the flavors and possibilities of dinner float across your mind (while your immediate hunger is abated). Time for antipasti.

We swear this antipasti platter takes two minutes to make, and will keep you going until you can muster up a real dinner.

antipasti platter

Assemble:

cherry tomatoes

green olives 

two types of cheese you have on hand

salami from Norcia

 

The thought of dinner still making you tired? Check out our 15 minute recipes:

Orange caprese salad 

Pasta with zucchini, tomato, and ricotta 

Trofiette with pesto 

Tagliatelle with mushrooms and sausage 

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

Via Umbria

Sometimes, you get home from work and can't even begin to think about making dinner, despite hearing your stomach roar. Do you give up, and ...

Cocktail Corner – Classic Spritz

In the past, we have lauded the important of the ritual of aperitivo

This Sunday, we think you should slow down your evening with a classic Aperol Spritz.

Aperol Spritz

•3 parts prosecco

•2 parts Aperol

•1 part soda water

•Slice of orange

Aperol Spritz

Pour the prosecco into your tall glass, and pile on the prosecco. Add your soda water and garnish with a slice of orange. Cheers to the beginning of a relaxing night.

Aperol Spritz

Once you have mastered the classic, you can trying adding a little whisky. Cheers!

Send your favorite Spritz o Clock photos to elsa@viaumbria.com or @viaumbria on Instagram #spritzoclock for a chance to be featured!

–Via Umbria

In the past, we have lauded the important of the ritual of aperitivo.  This Sunday, we think you should slow down your evening ...

Noteworthy Notizie

Wine Pour

 

Well wasn’t this week short! We are delighted that another Friday has rolled around after this four-day work week. Here is what we have been reading this week:

 

Ancient Rome was bigger than previously thought, according to new archeological evidence.

 

We’re going to make these Sicilian pistachio cookies this weekend (and sprinkle some organic Chocolate Hazelnut spread on top). P.S. They are gluten free.

 

Hot off the press:  How to Cook like a Roman from the New York Times. Doesn’t this make you hungry?

 

And while you’re in the kitchen check out our citrusy twist on the classic caprese.

 

Forbes thinks the next wine in your wine cellar should be a Sagrantino di Montefalco. We think so too.

 

Have a happy weekend!

 

–Via Umbria

September 11 Read more

  Well wasn't this week short! We are delighted that another Friday has rolled around after this four-day work week. Here is what ...

Tasty Taralli

Taralli

When opening our store last fall, we knew the taralli would be popular. What we didn’t expect is that every person that sampled one would buy a bag. One of our sales people imposed a three taralli a day rule in fear of eating the whole bowl.

The taralli is a typical salty food originating in southern Italy, mainly Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Campania. The name probably comes from the greek Toros (toroidal), because of the donut-y nature of the taralli.

A few years ago the Atlantic ran an article (in the Health section…) called “Taralli: Italy’s Superior Snack.”

“If you aren’t familiar with taralli–and most Americans, of course, aren’t-they’re little bagel-shaped (but much smaller) rings of dough that are…omnipresent in bakeries and at parties when you hit the right regions of Italy…

The secret, to making a good tarali, which is really no secret at all, is the quality and quantity of the olive oil you use to make the taralli with…

When you bite into one of these it’s right there with eating a super flaky pie crust, or, I imagine what a croissant would be like if you could compress it down into a compact little disc.”

 

While adults have an aperitif at their local bar or cafe in Italy, children will snack on these crispy disks. Here in the US, set them out with a bowl of olive and nuts at cocktail hour for an instant hit.

People loved them so much we completely sold out before spring arrived.

taralli

Now back in stock, we have original EVOO, chili pepper, fennel, rosemary, and tomato and oregano. And we have added a flavor this shipment – onion. How could we not, with our connection to Cannara.

 

While they will be featured in the store when we re-open, for now you can snatch them up on Emporio. Happy snacking!

Ci Vediamo!

—Via Umbria

When opening our store last fall, we knew the taralli would be popular. What we didn’t expect is that every person that ...

15 Minute Recipe: Orange Caprese Salad

We know Labor Day has come and gone, but we are still on a fresh summer tomato high. This update of a classic caprese combines heirloom tomatoes, basil from our garden, mozzarella and the kicker: orange-scented olive oil. Grab it at Emporio, and then get into the kitchen!

Orange Olive Oil

INGREDIENTS

1/2 baguette, cut into 1-inch pieces

5 tablespoons orange extra-virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper

Five heirloom tomatoes, halved or cut into 1/2-inch wedges

Large ball of buffalo mozzarella cheese, cut into large pieces

Fresh basil

Baguette Italian IMG_0756 copy

Preheat the oven to 350°. On a large baking sheet, toss the baguette pieces with 2 tablespoons of the extra-virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake, tossing occasionally, until crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cool.

Heirloom Tomato Recipe

In a large bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with the remaining 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the tomatoes and mozzarella on a platter. Top with the croutons and drizzle with the orange oil. Garnish with the basil and serve.

Basil Caprese

Gather your ingredients at Emporio, and then savor this delicious combination.

Adapted from Food and Wine magazine.

 

Ci Vediamo!

 

–Via Umbria

We know Labor Day has come and gone, but we are still on a fresh summer tomato high. This update of a ...

Cocktail Corner: Plum and Brandy Shot

What have you been doing this long weekend? Here at Via Umbria we are celebrating this Federal Holiday with one of the stone fruits of the summer, the plum.

We have been wanting to create something with Pisaroni’s Plum Nectar for a while. This Nectar is all natural and made from the simple ingredients of fresh plums, sugar, water, and a touch of lemon juice. With no artificial colors or flavors, this delicious nectar is the perfect cocktail mixer. For generations, the Pisaroni family has been harvesting their own crops using environmentally sustainable methods.

We take this delicious mixer and add a little brandy.

INGREDIENTS:

• one part plum purée

•two parts French Brandy (we know)

 

Plum Whisky shot

 

IMG_1580 copy IMG_1586 copy IMG_1591 copy IMG_1594 copy

 

Combine both in a grappa glass, garnish with fruit, and enjoy! It’s that simple!

 

Cheers! Ci Vediamo!

 

— Via Umbria

What have you been doing this long weekend? Here at Via Umbria we are celebrating this Federal Holiday with one of the ...

Announcing: An End of Summer Wine Tasting with Arte Modus

Via Umbria Arte Modus Wine tasting

Via Umbria and Arte Modus modern design studio invite you to an end of summer Umbrian Wine Tasting.

Enjoy the flavors of our Umbrian wine and light bites in the beautiful Art Modus studio.

Arte Modus, located by the canal in Georgetown, is a modern design studio featuring high end furniture and fixtures from some of Italy’s top studios. Art Modus helped create the vision for the new Via Umbria store, market, gallery and kitchen to open this Fall 2015.  We hope you will join us!

6-8 PM on Thursday, September 24th.

 

ARTE MODUS

1054  31st Street, NW

Suite  #009

WASHINGTON, DC 20007

 

RSVP to info@viaumbria.com or call 202.333.3904

 

You can also find our event on Facebook.

 

Ci Vediamo!

–Via Umbria

Via Umbria and Arte Modus modern design studio invite you to an end of summer Umbrian Wine Tasting. Enjoy the flavors of our Umbrian wine and light ...