A Hill Country Summer in Italy

There are some trips that stay with you long after the bags are unpacked and the laundry is done. My recent journey to Italy was one of those — not just a vacation, but a reminder of why I fell in love with food, travel, and sharing both with others.

It was the crack of porchetta skin in a butcher shop window in Pienza.
The way rosemary clung to the air.
The joy of a quiet lunch with ricotta-stuffed chicken under olive trees.
The kind of moments that fill your heart and your recipe notebook.

As I settle back into life here in the Texas Hill Country, I’ve been craving those flavors and that feeling — that slower, more intentional way of gathering and eating. So, I’m inviting you to come with me, in spirit, through a new summer series on the blog.

Each week, I’ll share a recipe inspired by my time in Italy — dishes that touched me, surprised me, and made me fall in love with the kitchen all over again. From a countryside zucchini flan to a playful cornflake-crusted chicken salad, from Florentine steak to a dreamy tiramisu — every recipe will come with a story, and of course, a wine pairing or two (Texas wines included).

You don’t need a passport. Just a willingness to slow down, open a bottle, and cook something beautiful.

Let’s bring a little bit of la dolce vita to our summer — together.

With grace, grit & gratitude,

xx, JeriLynne