Real Neapolitan Margherita Pizza

Real Neapolitan Margherita Pizza

Kristin Melia
Recipes

It has taken me years to develop, test and publish a recipe for a Neapolitan style pizza that could be in a conventional American kitchen. This is partially because ingredients are decidedly different in the United States, especially leavening agents. Mostly, it took me so long to get a pizza recipe right because I am bad at math. Fractions are such a bitch. Converting from the metric system to the non-sensical US “cup” and “tablespoon” system is even bitchier. This is my master recipe for Neapolitan pizza in the conventional American kitchen.

Twenty Italian Pantry Staples

Twenty Italian Pantry Staples

Kristin Melia
Dining Guides, Cooking Guides

With travel to Italy somewhat challenging these days, now is a time to curate your ideal Italian pantry. Sure, Italian ingredients are more available than ever. But don’t waste your money buying extremely expensive imported oddities. Most Italian homes, especially Neapolitan ones, feature a few staples — dried pasta, tomato passata, oregano and olive oil. Never have I seen an overcrowded spice cabinet in Naples. The basics are simply salt, pepper, oregano.

Neapolitan Music: A Play List

Neapolitan Music: A Play List

Kristin Melia
Naples Travel

Aggressive dogs, first loves, poseurs, sunshine, mixed-race children, prying family members and modern transportation have all inspired the most iconic Neapolitan songs. Songs that are now famous the world over. So famous they are often the ubiquitously forgotten soundtracks of our busy lives. You have likely heard Neapolitan music in commercials for children’s board games, on elevators and on call center recordings without ever giving the songs and the culture that inspired them a second thought.

Five Virtual Tours of Naples on Google Arts & Culture

Five Virtual Tours of Naples on Google Arts & Culture

Kristin Melia
Naples Travel

Travel to Naples may be difficult in person right now but some of the town’s finest museums are now offering incredibly rich virtual tours. One of the best platforms for these new tours is Google Arts & Culture. The unexpected upside to the current limits on travel to Italy is the development of a previously unprecedented array of cultural materials now available online. The most famous museums in Naples including the National Archeology Museum of Naples and Capodimonte Art Museum have newly prepared fascinating virtual tours and interactive lectures that focus on uniquely Neapolitan subjects. As Italy has reiterated, la cultura non si ferma — culture doesn’t stop. We’ve put together a list of our favorite virtual exhibits in Naples.

What I Learned as an Accidental Farmer

What I Learned as an Accidental Farmer

Kristin Melia
Amalfi Coast Travel

After a relatively ordinary career as a civil servant, I became an accidental farmer sometime in the winter of 2015. I went from preparing cumbersome briefing books for congressional hearings in Washington DC to planting rows of zucchini seedlings about 700 meters above sea level on the tippy top of the Amalfi Coast in a small village called Agerola. What started as a gingham dappled dream overflowing with Mason jars quickly became the Sisyphean reality of harvest, preserve, eat, repeat. At least the views were amazing. Now as the world seems to steadily embrace social distancing amidst the recent COVID-19 pandemic, I find a surprisingly familiar muscle memory of food preservation kicking back into gear.

Neapolitan Carnival Lasagna

Neapolitan Carnival Lasagna

Kristin Melia
Recipes

With Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday) rolling around, this can mean only one thing in Napoli —Lasagna! Neapolitan Carnevale Lasagna is not your average lasagna. It is a baroque beast that features at least five cuts and kinds of meat. There are also miniature meatballs and a ragù sauce. It is not for the faint hearted cook. And definitely not for the faint hearted eater.

Five Must See Works of Art in Naples

Five Must See Works of Art in Naples

Kristin Melia

You may come to Naples for the pizza. Or the ancient ruins. Or the volcanoes. All fine reasons. But you must not neglect the countless works of art that call the city home. Many pass through Naples on their way to the Amalfi Coast and have limited time in the city. Below, we recommend the top five mis-see works of art— all possible to visit in one day!

Ragù Bolognese

Ragù Bolognese

Kristin Melia
Recipes

Sometimes there is a visceral comfort to making an honest Bolognese style ragù. We share our recipe and tips with you here. And never forget. There is no such thing as Spaghetti Bolognese!

Amalfi Coast Movie List: 10 Movies to Watch

Amalfi Coast Movie List: 10 Movies to Watch

Kristin Melia
Amalfi Coast Travel

It should come as no surprise that the Amalfi Coast and its neighboring islands are among the most spectacularly cinematographic locations in the world.  Legendary directors including Roberto Rossellini and Federico Fellini adored filming here.  Sophia Loren had a vacation home with Carlo Ponti here.  Greta Garbo got married here! From Capri to Ravello and beyond, the Amalfi Coast is home to some of the most iconic scenes shot in the last century. They are uplifting to watch in their own right and if you are planning a trip to the region, these films certainly set the tone!

Amalfi Coast Reading List: 10 Books to Read

Amalfi Coast Reading List: 10 Books to Read

Kristin Melia
Amalfi Coast Travel

As the winter unfolds, there is nothing better than a good book. Except perhaps, dreams of the sun dappled cliffs of the Amalfi Coast.  Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, many important global literary figures including Gore Vidal and Henrik Ibsen lived and wrote in the region. Whether you are day dreaming or trip planning, the list below will capture your imagination. Get into the Amalfi Coast state of mind, reading the notable works below.  

Ten Reasons to Visit Naples (Anytime of Year!)

Ten Reasons to Visit Naples (Anytime of Year!)

Kristin Melia
Naples Travel

Naples is the geographic link between the glories of ancient Greece and the rise of imperial Rome. Greek settlers arrived here in roughly 700 BC before later heading further North. They brought religion, culture and WINE! Also, with a historic center that has been continuously inhabited since before Christ, Naples is the Gateway to Italy’s South. Below you will find our top ten reasons to spend a night or two in Naples- before heading further South to your next destination!

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Lasagna

Thanksgiving Pumpkin Lasagna

Kristin Melia
Recipes

Across Italy, lasagna is a party food. We enjoy for Christmas, Carnival and why not also Thanksgiving! The most famous version overseas is Lasagna Bolognese, which hails from Bologna in the Region of Emilia Romagna. While this version is delicious, there are many other types of lasagna that feature seasonal produce.  The warm flavors of the pumpkin, nutmeg and sage in this lasagna make for the perfect Thanksgiving pasta dish.  

Five Italian Pumpkin Recipes

Five Italian Pumpkin Recipes

Kristin Melia
Cooking Guides

By mid-November pumpkin pie and pumpkin spice lattes are all the rage in America.  In Italy however, we eat pumpkin for dinner.  These aren’t your typical Halloween sugar pumpkins though.  They are more closely related to the Japanese kabocha pumpkin and butternut squash.  In the true spirit of cucina pover, zucca, as prepared in the Italian kitchen is the wholesome star of a low key vegetarian meal.  Below are our favorite pumpkin preparations.  

Load More