La Diva Cucina

09/30/2024

It's that time of year again! FIGGY SEASON or "smokve!" I love eating them with Italian gorgonzola and prosciutto di parma on arugula. I dressed it with my very own white grape shrub, which was sweet and delicious! It tasted like a white balsamic and I paired it with Istrian EVOO, of course! What a heavenly combination!

*A shrub is a fruit syrup mixed with vinegar. Historically, shrubs were made as a way to preserve fruit to drink, mixed with soda or water. I made mine with green grapes picked from a friend's arbor.

08/21/2024

Friends, here’s a super easy and quick way to enjoy fresh fruit this summer. This recipe is on high rotation every year in my house, it’s easy and delicious and in the history of the NYT, it’s the most popular recipe ever. (Gift article!)

From the NYT: "The Times published Marian Burros’s recipe for Plum Torte every September from 1983 until 1989, when the editors determined that enough was enough. The recipe was to be printed for the last time that year. “To counter anticipated protests,” Ms. Burros wrote a few years later, “the recipe was printed in larger type than usual with a broken-line border around it to encourage clipping.” It didn’t help. The paper was flooded with angry letters. “The appearance of the recipe, like the torte itself, is bittersweet,” wrote a reader in Tarrytown, N.Y. “Summer is leaving, fall is coming. That's what your annual recipe is all about. Don't be grumpy about it.” We are not! And we pledge that every year, as summer gives way to fall, we will make sure that the recipe is easily available to one and all. The original 1983 recipe called for 1 cup sugar; the 1989 version reduced that to ¾ cup. We give both options below. Here are [five ways to adapt the torte]

And yes, it is very adaptable. I recently made it with pear and cardamom. I just had a piece made with purple plums and topped it with real vanilla gelato. OMG.

And yes, I have frozen it and it thaws perfectly and tastes wonderful. In fact, my piece today was from the freezer!
So, enjoy, my friends!

The Times published Marian Burros’s recipe for Plum Torte every September from 1983 until 1989, when the editors determined that enough was enough The recipe was to be printed for the last time that year “To counter anticipated protests,” Ms

08/07/2024

Every summer when the tomatoes are glorious, I have to make my Sicilian great grandma Rose's classic Sicilian tomato condiment, ammoglio (pronounced (Moy-gyou)

I grew up eating this and through the decades, it’s become a staple in Detroit-area kitchens, even in non-Italian homes! Recently, I had guests for dinner and wanted to give them a taste of my home and culture.

Ammoglio sauce was brought over by Italian immigrants and is best served room temperature over breaded steak, chicken or vegetables.

Years ago, I wrote a blog post about it and to this day, I still get comments on it. Take a look at my story, my gorgeous Italian family gathered around the table in the 1950s, and of course, the simple, delicious recipe.

https://ladivacucina.com/no-cook-italian-tomato-sauce-ammoglio/

If you make it, please let me know. It’s simple and delicious, so try it while you can still get wonderful fresh tomatoes!

06/08/2024

I’m rather proud of this spread I put on with delicacies from Italy and Croatia!

The cantaloupe I bought was perfectly perfumed and juicy! Melon and prosciutto, mixed olives, spicy salami, Croatian truffle cheese, Italian romano and aged parmigiano reggiano, taleggio, mortadella with pistachio and nduja on toast! Ciopollini focaccia, cherries.

The cocktails are: my Croatian Cosmo with blood orange, vodka, Campari, passionfruit and Campari, rose petal garnish and Italian gin, bitter lemon, splash blood orange and rosemary garnish.

05/31/2024

Buongiorno! I’m going to be in Trieste, Italy on Sunday-Tuesday to pick up my husband! We’ll be stopping at the shopping center on the way out of town to pick up some things! (Husband has already put his order in! hahah!)

Some of my friends regularly trek from Rijeka/Opatija to Trieste to grocery shop as they say it’s cheaper. I went a few weeks ago and can attest to that!

For example, a lb of Barilla bucatini was 2,85€ at a grocery store in Rijeka vs. 1,85€ for Rummo pasta in Trieste. (It was almost $4 in Miami!!)

I also bought Campari and Aperol significantly cheaper in Italy.

For this trip, I’ll be buying:

taleggio, burrata and pecorino cheeses (got parm last time)
prosciutto, mortadella and salami (got guanciale last time)
coffee
pasta
passata
salciccia
gin
wine
Amarena cherries
double concentrated tomato paste
Calabrian chilies

With my husband’s five pieces of luggage, carry on, and my overnight bag, the car is going to be stuffed!!

What would be your shopping list to the grocery store in Italy. (by the way, this store was huge like a Costco and was amazing!!!!

03/06/2024

Ever dreamt of whipping up mouthwatering dishes with the backdrop of Croatia’s sun-kissed coastline? 🍅☀️Imagine blistering tomatoes, sautéing rainbow chard with a hint of garlic, perfectly cooking pasta, searing fresh scallops to tender perfection, and bringing it all together with a dollop of tangy, creamy labneh. All finished with a drizzle of golden Istrian extra virgin olive oil—truly, a symphony of flavors!
Last night, we did just that, and the result was nothing short of culinary magic. 🍝✨ The West coast of Istria, especially Novigrad, is renowned for its bountiful Jacob scallops, which echo the clean, pristine flavors of the Mediterranean.
We invite you, connoisseurs of taste and cultural explorers, to join us on this gastronomic voyage. Channel your inner chef amidst the charm of cobblestone streets and gently rolling waves.
Hungry for adventure? Our Croatian Food Tour awaits. 🌊👨‍🍳 May’s breeze brings our first tour, and seats are filling fast—reserve your spot to savor, learn, and indulge. BOOK NOW AT
Ponder this as the aroma of cooking delights fills the air—what Croatian dish are you eager to master? Tell us below! 🤔

02/27/2024

Tired of generic travel dining experiences that lack local flavor? Then our Croatian Food Tour is for you. We pride ourselves in providing a hyper-local cuisine experience, giving you the chance to taste the true essence of Croatia - a perfect blend of rustic tavern meals and fine-dining delicacies.

Call AC Journeys to book TODAY!

02/13/2024

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER 3!!!

Well, friends, if you haven’t guessed by now, we are moving to Europe in the Spring!

After our extended holiday last summer, we decided to take the leap and GO FOR IT. Actually, we’ve been trying to leave Miami since 2019 and considered over a half a dozen locations but none of them were right for a number of reasons. We even listed our house for sale in 2021, but decided it was more viable to stay where we were. Until it wasn’t. I am always reminded that TIMING IS EVERYTHING.

Felix Pike and I have researched endlessly, considered the pros and cons and have sought legal counsel before embarking on this huge, life-changing endeavor! We both know there will be bouts of homesickness, frustration and FOMO for what was.

In the last few days, I’ve lost two friends and two of my friends have lost brothers-in-law ,and I am turning another year older in less than two weeks. My husband and I don’t want to “wait until we retire” (sometimes that day never comes) or let the paralyzing fear of the unknown stop us from living our dreams. If ever there was a time to BE BRAVE AND TAKE LIFE BY THE COJONES, it’s NOW!

While we still don’t have the answers for everything and can’t predict the future, we are going into this journey with pure positivity and unbridled joy with a tiny sprinkling of healthy trepidation. We are counting on our loved ones to share our positivity as we forge a new path across the pond.

PS: I AM LEAVING APRIL 5TH. If you want to see me before I go, call me and take a sister out!!! (did I tell you it’s my birthday? And I’ll be alone?! 😀xoxo)

01/17/2024

BIG ANNOUCEMENT (NUMBER ONE!)

Dear Friends, I appreciate all of the kind comments and support you’ve given me while traveling over the past year. Your encouragement and interest has lead me develop and offer an incredible food-lovers tour in Croatia starting this Spring!

The tour will focus mainly on the gastronomical delights of Istria and Opatija Riviera regions of Croatia. We will be indulging in local truffles, fragrant olive oils, old-world wines, organic cheeses, abundant seafood, wild game and heritage breed meats, visits to various farms and markets, cooking classes, and more!

La Diva Cucina has partnered with an established tour operator and travel agency, AC Journeys, which has delighted travelers with unique curated experiences since 2009. Jose Pineda will bring his worldliness, knowledge, and logistical insight to Croatian Food Tours starting in May 2024!

We are finalizing the itinerary for an incredible, unique, and delectable experience curated and hosted by YOURS TRULY! And I'm SO EXCITED to share the wonders of stunning Istria, Croatia, with you as your team leader. Tours will take place in early May, June and September.

If you've been curious about traveling there but might be intimidated by the language or need more knowledge about the country, please allow me to guide you where together we will delve into Croatia's incredible beauty, rich cultural heritage, and mouthwatering foods.

Get in early, as spots are limited to twelve guests! Contact me at [email protected] or Jose https://www.acjourneys.com/contact-us/contact-info/

PLEASE SHARE, HVALA!

(Social media links coming shortly!)

01/02/2024

12/29/2023

OH YES WE DID

(The boys went back to E.Lecler to get the 25-day aged steak, grilled in the fireplace! OMG!)

12/29/2023

Charlie shucking flat oysters from Brittany (Bretagne) They were delicious!

12/27/2023

Did someone say “rosé?”

12/22/2023

When the days are short, Happy Hour starts early!

Trying a rose oil infused lemonade with Hendricks, it’s mighty tasty!!

12/12/2023

Happy Holidays from La Diva Cucina The Full Pike and LDC Events Inc.!!

…and that was 2023! Happiest of holidays to all our partners in the business from myself and Laura Lafata aka La Diva Cucina (!) 🎄🕎 ✨❤️

11/22/2023

I’m not going to aplologize I just love these beans! I mean, I crave them now, I never used to!

Changed my dinner plans because I didn’t feel like salmon. Made these with garlic, fresh tomatoes, rosemary, a cheese heel and Rancho Gordo mayocoba beans and doused with Istrian olive oil.

The local Publix offered Italian sausage with kale and squash, so I grilled them up! This dinner was sooo good. It just goes to show, you’re always going to win when you start with quality ingredients.

11/18/2023

THAT’S A WRAP!!!!
La Diva Cucina is closed for business (fo’ real this time!!!)
Thank you to all who I've worked with, who worked with me and for me, YOU ARE MY FAMLY. Especially to Natasha Torres, my right hand and BRAIN who has worked with me since the beginning!!!

And Natasha IS literally on MY RIGHT in the photo and Jazmin on my left, both holding my hands, they have done so much for me and I couldn’t have done it without them.

Thanks to my husband Felix Pike of The Full Pike and the crew of Virtual Events, LLC. who made my last event so successful and professional.

I’m a little verklempt but super excited about what’s coming next.
Oh, and if you need anything events, we are still working as The Full Pike production services for LDC Events Inc. Don’t hesitate to contact us!