Peas with Pancetta Plus Divina Cucina’s Secrets from a Tuscan Kitchen Cookbook
My friend Judy Witts Francini kindly sent me a copy of her handcrafted cookbook, Secrets from My Tuscan Kitchen, and has even more kindly offered to give a lucky Bleeding Espresso reader a chance to win a copy as well.
To enter the random drawing, all you need to do is comment on this post by 11:59 pm (CET) on Tuesday, March 30, 2010.
Trust me, you’re going to love this cookbook. Not only is it absolutely full of tasty recipes from appetizers to desserts, Judy’s cookbook is also aesthetically pleasing and a cook’s best friend with each page facing the recipes blank so you can add your own notes.
If you don’t know, Italian cooking is very regional, i.e., what you’ll find in Calabria, you probably won’t find in Piemonte, and vice versa. So for those of you who want to get a great taste of what eating in Tuscany is like, you must see Judy’s cookbook, which is based on her own experiences of living in the region for nearly 30 years, particularly as influenced by her Tuscan mother-in-law.
You can read more about Judy’s cookbook and how you can order your own at Judy’s website, Divina Cucina. You can also keep up with Judy at her blog Over a Tuscan Stove and on Twitter @divinacucina.
Of course I wanted to share a recipe with you as I shared Judy’s book this What’s Cooking Wednesday, so I chose something I knew that would be a big hit here. Judy has two recipes for peas in the book, one with pancetta (Piselli alla Fiorentina) and the other with cooked ham (Piselli al Prosciutto); I actually ended up combining the two recipes to adjust for what I had handy (ran out of garlic!), but what I made was closer to Piselli alla Fiorentina, so here you go.
Ah, also, I did leave out the sugar, as P freaks out when he tastes sugar. The peas were definitely sweet enough, and this dish was delicious…and talk about easy peasy! Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Piselli alla Fiorentina
- 1 lb peas
- 2 oz pancetta, cubed
- 1 clove garlic, sliced
- 2 tbs chopped parsley
- 1 tbs sugar
- Salt
- 8 tbs olive oil
1. Place peas, garlic, parsley and olive oil in a saucepan. Add salt to taste.
2. Add enough water to cover peas.
3. Cook over low heat, covered.
4. Just before the peas are done, add the pancetta and sugar. Serve with their sauce.
Buon appetito!
Remember to comment for your chance to a win a copy of Judy’s cookbook!
98 Beans of Wisdom to “Peas with Pancetta Plus Divina Cucina’s Secrets from a Tuscan Kitchen Cookbook”
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Recipes
The only thing I love more than a cookbook is free Italian one!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..New Theme: Dark Wood =-.
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Oh this looks so easy and delicious. I can’t wait to buy some fresh peas! And thanks for an easy to enter contest. I am getting tired of the ones that require 20 comments from me telling that I follow them, etc…
Haha, I think the instructions can be more overwhelming than anything…it often gives you more chances to win, but it just *sounds* so confusing! I hear you
.-= Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef´s last blog ..Soups and stews and pasta, oh my! =-.
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Sounds like a wonderful cookbook! I am learning to cook so I need all the help I can get!
(And that photo made me hungry! It’s getting close to lunch time now!)
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Mmmm….that sounds delicious!
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Yum! That brings back memories of my aunt making huge bowls of piselli con pancetta!
.-= Nicola Orichuia´s last blog ..With a Little Help from Al Gore =-.
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I love peas with pancetta! I’ve always used onion, but I think I may try them with garlic.
Sometimes I use speck instead of pancetta, that’s good too!
I don’t ever buy speck here; I don’t know why. I mean I like it well enough. Hmm. Sounds great with peas
.-= KC´s last blog ..The Shock of the New =-.
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Me, Me Choose me – I love peas and pancetta
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Excellent. One of my favorite recipes…though I’m more conversant in Roman/rest of South/Sicilian recipes. This would be a great addition to my kitchen. (Terrific photos, btw.) Just off in a moment to my neighborhood Italian store for pancetta, as I am out. This will be perfect for the spring weather we’re currently (thank God!) experiencing. ciao-meow
Thank you, and enjoy!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Through the Keyhole =-.
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Looks really tasty. I love peas, I would probably have to leave the sugar out of the recipe too, as I don’t think my Mr would be too keen.
.-= Cathy´s last blog ..Friends and family =-.
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Thanks Michelle – and Judy! I am ready for lunch now!!
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mmm, peas.
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yay! I’ve been interested in this book for sure! Always loved reading about her adventures in Florence while we were there – such good food tips
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This looks great! I love new cooking ideas
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I love peas. I will have to try them this way.
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looks lovely, count me in!! yuuuuuummmmmm
.-= sperlygirl´s last blog ..gentle cycle…please… =-.
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Fresh peas say Spring to me, and that sounds good to me! We’re in full-blown Mud Season in Maine…the dirt roads are like quicksand. Bring on the peas!
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What is to say? I love this recipe, I love it…..my problem is that most of the recipes in life are for 2 or more…..
My wife is a veggie lady and I am the only one who eats white flour, red meat, cheese, etc.
These recipes are hard for me to make but then to end up with so much left over….well sighhhhhhhhhhhh
Ok Michelle send me the cookbook I will try all the recipes and report back.
A red headed goat? zoweeeeeeeeeeee
Love and Light,
richard
This one is actually really easy to make just for one…on the other hand, leftovers are great too. If I happen to make extra (usually P gobbles up any and all peas in sight), they’re great for a little mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack when feeling peckish…I love them cold too
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I have already made the potato gnocchi, it was great.. I got the recipe from Lucy’s Kitchen Notebook.. she loves the book.. I would love to win one..
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“In the childhood memories of every good cook, there’s a large kitchen, a warm stove, a simmering pot and a mom.”
I think I am going to love this cookbook!
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I am only 2 generations separated from our family in Sicily and love all Italian styles. I’d really enjoy having this cookbook.
.-= Scott K´s last blog ..Yoplus Review and "Better For You" Giveaway =-.
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Pick me! I’m going to finally meet Ms. Divina Judy when she’s in the SF Bay Area next month, and I would love to have it for her to sign.
.-= food lover kathy´s last blog ..Wine Tasting in Tuscany Along the Chianti Trail =-.
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Love being ale to feed my family great homemade food!
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What a beautiful spring dish!
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I would love to win this cookbook! Brings back wonderful memories of when I studied in Tuscany in college. Thanks for the opportunity and have a great day!
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I collect cook books and this would be a great addition
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Yum, must try that recipe soon. Crossing my fingers and hoping to win the cookbook which sounds fabulous. Happy Spring!
.-= Lucia´s last blog ..Body Art =-.
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I love all things Italian!! Especially the food….I would love to win this cookbook!
.-= Denise @ Creative Kitchen´s last blog ..Getting back into the swing of things and Spring!! =-.
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This should also work well with Fava beans. Looking forward to my crop this summer!
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OK, I admit I am REALLY jonesing for the cookbook, but I just love the recipe as well! I think that the ability to sort of wing it, to use what’s on hand as part of the cooking philosophy that I love SO VERY MUCH about Italian food & food-centered traditions. I am one of those many souls in the world who feels I *MUST* have been an Italiana at some point, in some former life; I just have no other explanation for the undying lifelong love I have for almost all things from that beautiful country where you live. I’m lucky I get to live a little vicariously through you, and thanks to you, Calabria is now on the list of places I have to get to before I bite the dust!
I love Wednesdays. Yum. Not only is there always good foodiness to be had, but it means tomorrow is Love Thursday! <3 <3
xx's & oo's to all, especially the kids!
K
Hahaha, thanks KE
Love Thursdays are rather lovely!
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Oooh, I’ve been wanting this cookbook for months!
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Love peas! Can’t wait to try the recipe! Grazie!
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Both my mother and grandmother use to make peas with pasta. I don’t remember them adding pancetta though. It sounds wonderful! I’ll try it when I get all the ingredients.
I was just going to make some green chili stew. Tomorrow, it will be Piselli alla Fiorentina on my menu! Thanks for the recipe!
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This looks great. Can’t have too many beautiful cookbooks laying around now can we ??!! Would LOVE a free one
Dreaming of Italy….
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By just looking at the photo, I was about to make a quick two beans crying out to the world you had totally forgotten the wonderful Tuscan “extravergine” olive oil, but I reread your ingredients and, there they are, 8 savoury tbs. of oil which, added to the molten lard of the pancetta, *should* give some more fatty glisten to your photo. What happened? Did you perhaps drain off the condiment for the sake of a less soggy image?
Anyway, thanks for great ideas from Calabria… and from Tuscany!
Well the pancetta isn’t rendered in the recipe, so there goes that fat, and I may have used less oil, I don’t know–I don’t tend to measure. That said, as the peas are also covered in water to cook, the oil does get quite diluted. I didn’t make any special effort to make them not soggy for the photo, but maybe I just like mine on the firm side so that they never got mushy and oily? Boh.
.-= Carlo´s last blog ..Incontri del Cammino =-.
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I love peas but am not fond of pancetta or prosciutto (a sin in Florence). It’s a nice picture though.
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Ciao… I could always use new ideas! Now that I’m here, I find it still takes a bit of effort to be creative in the kitchen.
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I love this cook book. I am an affectioanted of cook books!!!!!
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I need all the help I can get in the cooking department and am always in search of something new, creative and fun. I’ll make anything once and love to be inspired!
Buon appetito and here’s looking at you – kid! (get it…just a little goat humor?) ok, ok…I’m moseying on back over to FB now!)
.-= Melissa Muldoon´s last blog ..• la torre, la scala e la luna =-.
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After Tweeting with Judy for some time, I am definitely curious to read her book and to remember the years when I used to live in Florence….
.-= Alessio´s last blog ..A taste savior =-.
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Given I love cookbooks count me in. I like the idea that the cover is illustrated. My parents are from the island of Malta and while the language is not at all similar to Italian the words for peas is the same-interesting. I actually made quinoa with peas the other night.
.-= Esme´s last blog ..Buckley’s Story by Ingrid King Review =-.
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Oh, pick me, PICK ME! I would love and adore just about any free Tuscan cookbook, but this one looks especially pleasing.
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Tomorrow – peas and pancetta!!!
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Oooh I would love to have this cookbook! I’m already planning out the garden & peas are going to play a big part as they are major fave around here! Looks yummy!
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This is so funny – I had a Tuscan recipe for WCW today, too! It was a salad that we tasted in Florence. Your friend’s cookbook sounds absolutely wonderful.
The Piselli recipe looks marvelous!
.-= jen of a2eatwrite´s last blog ..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Accademia Salad =-.
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My mother makes peas this way all the time! – I have to make some but I will add pasta – and the cookbook is a must have!
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Monica’s Fine Foods Featuring Calabrian Olive Oil (and a giveaway!) =-.
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I just did a post on fresh English Peas today! They are so delicious prepared simply.. I would love this cookbook. My hubby is a good Italian boy, so I know he would appreciate it!
.-= bunkycooks´s last blog ..Remembering Spain with a Pan of Paella! =-.
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Can’t wait to try the recipe. I love peas and I love pancetta. I’ll be in Italy (Venice and Pienza area) in May. Maybe there will be fresh peas in the organic garden! I collect and read cookbooks (my friends think I’m nuts) and would love to win this one to add to my collection.
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That book is beautiful! Pancetta is one of my favorite things in the world lol! I would put it in anything and it would be wonderful!
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As ever, you do it the best way!
I have been following your posts since quite recently, I must admit, but they are quite interesting, and candid.
They make me feel as if I am not reading a post, but am chatting with a friend about anything and everything.
The most beautiful thing is the blog name “bledingexpresso” Very thoughtful and creative!
Good work, and all the best!
-Poo.
Thank you! That’s so sweet
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The peas look delicious! I will definitely riff on this dish the moment fresh peas become available. Thanks for the inspiration!
.-= Teri´s last blog ..A Dog Hair of a Quote… =-.
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