Art Inspired By La Befana, The Italian Christmas Witch

To me, La Befana is an underappreciated Christmas figure that should be just as popular as Krampus! Originating in Italy, La Befana, aka the Christmas Witch, is a legend thousands of years old. As the story goes, an older woman lived in a village that the Magi passed through on their journey to deliver gifts to the newborn Jesus Christ. Many people followed the Magi with their own gifts to deliver to the newborn messiah, but this woman did not join them as she was too busy with her housework. Once she realized her mistake, she ran out of her house with her broom and presents to try to catch up to the Magi, but it was too late. Ever since then on the eve of January 6th, the Epiphany, the woman who would become La Befana flies from house to house on her broomstick, delivering all the gifts she wasn't able to give to the newborn Jesus to good children.

Living in an Italian household, I grew up with this story and looked forward to La Befana's visits every year (as long as I had been good!). I love everything La Befana still, and hers is one of my favorite Christmas legends. In honor of La Befana, I've rounded up some artwork inspired by her from a variety of artists. I am so glad her name is becoming more and more recognized and love sharing her story!

Check out art inspired by La Befana below:

Crossroads Kitchen in Los Angeles, CA

Crossroads Kitchen is an upscale vegan dining establishment on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles that serves up small plates of decadent food from Chef Tal Ronnen. It has a romantic, sexy atmosphere, with twinkling candles on every table and dim lighting throughout the restaurant. Some people find it a bit pretentious, but I have been wanting to try it for a long time and was finally able to go in October!

I was excited to try out their comforting Italian classics (veganized, of course), like all their pastas, which I had been drooling over on their menu for months! I am Italian, and usually I don't trust any restaurants with pastas, but I was willing to give Crossroads a try. I choose to dine there early on a Sunday night, not only for decent lighting to take photos of food but also since we were going to see Delusion, an immersive horror play (I wrote about that HERE if you are interested!), right after dinner.

Recipe: Castagnaccio or Tuscan Chestnut Flour Cake

Tuscan Castagnaccio or Chestnut Flour Cake

Next in my series of veganizing traditional Tuscan food, I want to share with you a recipe for a rustic peasant cake called castagnaccio (otherwise known as migliaccio in some regions of Italy). This is a slightly sweet, slightly savory flat chestnut flour cake. It uses only simple, seasonal ingredients to create a distinct, unique dish!

My Babbo (Italian for daddy) showed me how to make castagnaccio, and got me hooked on this treat! He remembers eating it growing up in Fiesole, Italy, though outside of Tuscany he doesn't think it is very well-known. It's such a traditional taste of Tuscany that I wanted to share it with you! Below you'll find the recipe my dad handed down to me, which was handed down to him from his mother, my Italian Nonna.

Recipe: Rustic Tuscan Summer Bread Salad

Not many people know this, but I was actually born near Florence, Italy and moved to the States with my parents when I was around 4 years old (my mom was American, and my dad Italian, so I have dual citizenship). Even though we moved to the States, I grew up on Tuscan cooking, with recipes handed down to my dad from my Italian Nonna. These recipes are near and dear to my heart since I was never able to meet my Italian grandparents.

With some help from my parents, I've decided to veganize the Tuscan dishes I grew up with, and share these veganized recipes with you. Luckily, some are already vegan (like today's recipe), so I'll be sharing those as well, since many aren't commonly know outside of Tuscany.

My first recipe I'd like to share is Panzanella, which is a bread salad dish typically served on hot summer days. I know that bread salad sounds a little weird, but trust me, it's actually quite delicious! And if you're a carb queen like myself, you'll love it!!

Food Review: Neat Meat Replacement Mixes

Neat booth at Expo West 2015

While covering the Natural Products Expo West last month (read my recap here!), I was lucky enough to stop by the Neat booth, where I sampled their breakfast mix and was blown away at the how good it tasted! I knew that I needed to try ALL of their mix flavors and the kind folks at the family-owned Neat were kind enough to send me all their products for review.

Neat offers meat replacements that come in a dry mix, and you just need to add water and an egg replacer (like their Neat Egg, made from chia seeds and garbanzo beans) to make them! They offer a variety of flavors to suit any occasion! They have an Italian Mix, perfect for pastas and lasagna, a Mexican Mix, great for tacos and nachos, an Original Mix, awesome for burgers and chili, and a Breakfast Mix, ideal for sausages and quiches.

Restaurant Review: Fresh Brothers in Newport Beach, CA

Vegan Sausage and Cheese Pizza from Fresh Brothers

Fresh Brothers is a small chain of pizza restaurants with locations all over SoCal, though mostly centered in and around LA. I was excited that they recently opened their first Orange County location in Newport Beach (near Roger's Gardens and Fashion Island). Pizza is my lifeblood, so I was stoked to hear they had vegan options and couldn't wait to check them out! In fact, they have a special vegan section on their menu that includes a couple different kinds of pizza, plus Gardein chick'n tenders, salads, fries, and even special vegan dressings!

Restaurant Review: PizzaRev in Santa Ana, CA

PizzaRev in Santa Ana

Written by Sarah E. Jahier

A fellow Orange County vegan clued me in on PizzaRev, a new pizza place that opened up near South Coast Plaza in Orange County. PizzaRev has other restaurants in SoCal (and are planning on expanding to other parts of the nation), but this is the first one I had ever heard of! They have a build-your-own pizza system, with a counter set-up much like Chipotle’s, where you tell your server what kind of crust, sauce, and toppings you want for your pizza. They are not a vegan restaurant, but they do offer vegan options!

Food Review: Venice Bakery's Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizza Crusts

Venice Bakery's Vegan and Gluten-Free Pizza Crust topped with 

Vegan Bacon, Kale, Avocado and Tomato and Smoky Cheddar Sauce

from The Sexy Vegan's recipe

Written by Sarah E. Jahier

If I had to pick a favorite food, I'm pretty sure it would be pizza. I can eat pizza any time of day, days and days in a row, and pretty much never get sick of it. I usually buy store-made dough and roll it out myself to make pizza, but I was recently sent pizza crusts from Venice Bakery to try out. They make pre-made pizza crusts that are both vegan and gluten-free! Now, I'm not gluten-free, but it is always nice to see another gluten-free option out there that is also vegan. And as long as it's vegan, I'll try it!

Recipe: Cold-Brew Coffee from My Italian Mama

The Spooky Vegan's Cold-Brew Coffee

I've been brewing my own iced coffee for years and I like to bring my own 20 oz iced black coffee with me wherever I go in case I need an extra jolt of energy. I usually make my iced coffee from coffee I have brewed in my coffee maker the night before...I let it cool overnight, then pour some into my cup with ice cubes for the day and stick the leftovers in the fridge for use the next day.

I've noticed that my coffee has been a bit bitter lately (even after regular cleanings with vinegar of my coffee maker and trying a new coffee), so instead of chucking out my old coffee maker and buying a new one, I decided to try something that my mom has been doing a long time...cold-brewing coffee! I come from a long-line of Italians that love their strong espressos and dark, rich roasts, so I knew I could trust my mom for advice on cold-brewing coffee (without any fancy equipment). Plus, I had tasted her amazingly strong concoction on visits home, so I knew it was going to be good!

My mom recommends using 1 cup of coffee for every 2 cups of filtered water. The smallest batch you want to make will be 2 cups ground coffee to 4 cups water, which will yield approximately 4 cups. You can use any kind of ground coffee you like - my mom prefers the Kirkland brand coffee at Costco (the kind you can get in a big tub). I like using Starbucks' Caffe Verona or one of their other dark roasts. You can even use the cheapest coffee you can find and it will still be tasty!

Use a big glass pitcher or metal pot (please don't use plastic or a groddy plasticky flavor will ruin your brew, not to mention all the nasty chemicals that will seep into it!) and mix the ground coffee and filtered water (should be room-temperature, but it's okay if it is cold, too). Give the grounds and water a few good stirs, then cover and leave on the counter at room temperature for 24 hours.

Once the 24 hours is up, strain the coffee sludge out of your cold-brewed, concentrated coffee. To do this you'll need to use a fine sieve (I use this one). Put a coffee filter in the sieve and place over a small pot or bowl. Pour your cold-brew a little at a time (take it slow and steady!) through the filter/sieve. The coffee will be thick and sludgy, so take your time and change out the coffee filter if it gets clogged (I always have to do this a few times since the sludge has a tendency to clog the filter/sieve).

After you are done filtering, pour your cold-brew coffee into a carafe and chill! Or enjoy right then and there with some ice in a glass. This will make some really potent iced coffee (this is essentially coffee concentrate!), so if it is too strong, you can always dilute it with some water. It is common to dilute the coffee with a one-third coffee concentrate, two-thirds water). For a stronger cup of coffee, use a one-to-one ratio or don't dilute at all! You can also add some almond, coconut or your favorite non-dairy milk/creamer if you prefer.

The cold-brew method yields an extremely smooth, flavorful coffee that is perfect for making iced coffee. I don't think I'll ever go back to using my coffee machine after trying the cold-brew method! Remember to listen to your mothers, cuz Mom is always right!

Thanks for the wonderful recipe, Mom! Love you!

13 Days of Creepmas: The Christmas Witch - Italy's La Befana

La Befana [source]

When I was little, I kinda got two Christmases...my family celebrated both Christmas AND La Befana, an Italian celebration of the Epiphany on January 6th. Dang, I sure was a lucky kid!

La Befana is a traditional Italian legend of a little old witch who delivers small presents to children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). She looks like a unkempt old lady, with straggly hair, patched-up skirt, raggedy shawl and broom. While she looks like an old witch, she is actually kind and only punishes bad boys and girls by leaving coal in their stockings. For kids who have been good, she fills up their stockings with candy, fruit, nuts and small gifts.

The legend of La Befana is one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated. One popular version of the story is below.

There once was an old woman named la Befana. She was renowned as the best housekeeper in the village. One day, she is visited by the Three Wise Men (the Magi) who are on a journey to find the Son of God. They ask her if she knows the way, but she does not. Being a kind woman, she invites the Magi to stay in her home for the night. Grateful for her kindness, they ask la Befana to accompany them on their journey, but she refuses, saying that she has too much work to do. After her guests leave, she has a change of heart, packs a number of gifts and sweets for baby Jesus, and heads out to follow the Magi. Sadly, she never finds the Magi nor the baby Jesus. To this day, she continues to search for the Son of God, leaving gifts for children in her path. She does this because she knows Jesus lives in the hearts of all children.

This is still a big celebration in Italy today, with many towns holding special celebrations or parades in honor of La Befana. There is even a song about The Christmas Witch:

[source]

When I was little we always kept our stockings up until La Befana passed by our house on January 5th. My sister and I would receive small presents and candy (as long as we had been good!). Our family still celebrates La Befana, especially when I can't make it home for Christmas as an extra little celebration. It has always held a special place in my heart as well as my cultural history. And how cool is it to have a Christmas witch?!

For the next La Befana celebration, make sure to keep those stockings hung by the chimney in hopes that La Befana will soon be there!

Suspiria at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery this Friday

For one of their last screenings this summer, Cinespia is showing Suspiria (one of my favorite films!) at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery on a special Friday screening September 16th!

For those that don't know, Cinespia puts on a fantastic screening series where they show films (of every genre, not just horror) almost every summer weekend at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. It is an unforgettable experience watching films projected on a mausoleum wall with hundreds of other fans picnicking amongst the headstones! I unfortunately haven't made it to any screenings this summer (boo!), but it is definitely a must-do event if you are in Southern California!

Check out their official announcement below:

Suspiria - Directed by Dario Argento (1977, 98 mins)

gates 6:30 pm / movie 8:00 pm NEW TIME !!!
No reservation necessary
$10 donation tickets available at gate
Picnic Reservations and Parking Passes online
Parking $10

For one of Cinespia's last screenings we present the classic supernatural horror film by master Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. An American girl travels to a European dance academy, only to learn that it may be run by a coven of witches.

A stylish feast for the eyes, Suspiria is brimming with Italian design, phantasmagoric color, baroque sets and a wicked soundtrack by Goblin. The surreal visuals, special effects and '70s wardrobe is balanced by some genuinely scary suspense as the girl uncovers the secret of the ancient school.

Join us for one of the most creative and wild horror movies of the era....in the cemetery! No one under 17 will be admitted without a parent or guardian.

DJ Mahssa spins before and after the screening.

Bring blankets, drinks and picnic dinner for this screening below the stars.

For more info, check out the Cinespia site!

Tonight's Viewing: A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (1971)

A Lizard in a Woman's Skin (U.S. Poster) - 1971

[Sidenote: I know I've been away for a long time, lovelies, but I hope to be back with more blog posts soon!]

Tonight's Viewing: Mario Bava - Maestro of the Macabre

Mario Bava: Maestro of the Macabre

A documentary on one of my favorite filmmakers!

Available for your viewing pleasure on Amazon!

Film Review: A Whisper in the Dark (1976)

I gotta tell you, I love slow-burning, mysterious ghost stories. The psychological impact of such films leave me wanting more, so I eagerly seek out titles I’m unfamiliar with. Such was the case with A Whisper in the Dark (aka Un Sussurro nel Buio), a 1976 production from Italy.

In this film, a wealthy family is vexed by the existence of Luca, the imaginary friend of their 12-year-old son Martino. Mother Camilla is affected the most, so much that her nerves are shot. It doesn’t help that she has two bratty daughters, or that her mother, The Countess, is visiting the mansion and her husband is a philandering fool. However, everyone soon begins to fear Martino and his imaginary friend Luca.

Continue reading on Fatally Yours

Panzanella - Tuscan Bread Summer Salad

Growing up, my dad made this amazing bread salad from Tuscany called panzanella. It was the perfect summer salad - cool, refreshing and crisp. I always get a hankering for it during the hot days of summer and luckily it's really simple to make! Traditional Tuscan cooking calls for minimal ingredients and usually uses leftovers, so it's ideal for people on a budget or who are lazy (like me!).

Ciao bella!

Ingredients:

1 loaf of day-old crusty Italian peasant bread like ciabatta, cut into cubes
1 lb. of tomatoes (Roma, chopped up, or alternatively cherry tomatoes)
1 cucumber, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 red onion, diced
1 bunch scallions, diced
1 generous handful of shredded fresh basil
Equal parts extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dressing
Dashes of salt and pepper to taste

Soak the cubes of bread in cool water for about one hour (make sure your day-old bread is dried out enough to ensure it soaks up enough water without becoming mushy - if you don't think it's dry enough pop the bread cubes in the oven on 300 degrees for roughly 10 minutes). Make sure the bread is completely submerged.

While you are soaking the bread, chop up your tomatoes, cucumber, onion and scallions and tear the basil into small pieces.

Once the bread has soaked long enough, strain all the water out and squeeze each individual cube of bread (ewwww squishy!!). Then throw everything - bread cubes and veggies - into a big bowl. Dress with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. If desired, stick in the fridge for an hour or so to allow the flavors to develop. This dish is best serve chilled.

The result is a rustic and filling salad that is perfect for the dog days of summer.

Mangia, mangia!