Tuscany Flavours Stefano Conti, his wife Grazia, and his mother Germana have revamped their stand at the Central Market and it is fabulous! Since 1929, the Conti's have supplied Florence with the best the market has to offer, and now Stefano is bringing the market to you! Order direct from his stand in the Mercato Centrale! To help you set up your pantry, Divina Cucina and Stefano Conti have assembled a Tuscan Kitchen Starter Kit. Click here to order this fabulous package of goodies for setting up a Tuscan kitchen in your home! Stefano, Germana, and Grazia Conti

Cioccolato Caldo Vestri My new favorite chocolate shop in Florence, Vestri, gave us their recipe for the incredible hot chocolate that all Florentines adore. They sell their own blend for € 5; that's enough for a liter of hot chocolate. It's so thick you don't know if you want to drink it or eat it! The secret? Real chocolate. What a surprise! I've lightened the recipe a tiny bit. After all, a little goes a long way. Traditionally, Florentines drink it in a cappuccino cup, half full as in the photo, and then topped with whipped cream. Here's the recipe! 5 tablespoons Dutch processed cocoa powder (Hershey's European Style, Van Hooten, or Droste) 2 tablespoons sugar 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 2 cups milk Chili powder ( optional) Place the cocoa powder, sugar, and 2 tablespoons of the milk in a saucepan and heat until the sugar melts, stirring well to remove any lumps. Boil and add the remaining milk. Heat to steaming, always whisking to incorporate the chocolate mixture. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Stir to melt the chocolate and let it sit. Reheat to serve, stirring well before serving. Vestri serves the hot chocolate with a pinch of chili powder, or ginger if you like. You can also be really decadent and have your Vestri's ice cream, affogato, drowned in hot chocolate! 'Tis the season...to enjoy! NEW! Garmugia Watermelon Sorbetto RECIPES Salade de Bœuf à la Parisienne Spaghetti di Vino with Beets Melanzane Grigliate Carciofi Sott'Olio Carciofi Fritti Uove al Diavolo Pesce Finto Green Tomato Pasta Sauce Macedonia di Frutta Fagiolini Mangiatutto Saltati Cinghiale in Dolce Forte Risotto All'Isolana Fettunta Spaghetti di Vino Salame Dolce Cioccolato Caldo Vestri Sugo di Carne Watermelon Ice Osteria Luchin's Polpettone di Patate Federico Bacci's Sage Pesto Frittelle di Riso Romeo Colzi's Ribollita Bollito Misto Yellow Bell Pepper Soup Porcini Pasta Sauce Pappa al Pomodoro Pollo al Mattone Torta di Mele Mimmo's Pasta with Zucchini Erbe Toscane Ricciarelli Tonno e Fagioli Schiacciata con l'uva Panforte Spinaci alla Fiorentina Ribollita Sugo Finto Fagioli all'Olio Panzanella Ravioli Gnudi with Salsa di Noci Arrosto Fiorentino Il peposo alla Fornacina Chicchi Caffè Shakerato Limoncello Nocino Fish in Crazy Water Capresse Click here to send this recipe to a friend!