Here's where I can share my culinary research and travels as well as new discoveries. Here you'll find recipes with a history, what I've learned from fellow chefs, foodies, and colleagues, and random topics that I hope will interest you.

his recipe dates from the Renaissance. The kiln workers who made the tiles for Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral in Florence (the Duomo), allegedly made it. This slow-cooked stew needs about 3 hours for the flavors to blend. (You may want to find your crock pot for this recipe!) The rest of the story is that Filippo Brunelleschi, in order to get more work done, had the dish sent up to the workers instead of allowing them to come down for lunch. It wasn't long before the workers realized that they were losing their lunch break and a chance to meet friends, play cards, and relax. The first strike in Florence resulted! The pepper in the stew requires lots of wine to be drunk. Here's to happy workers...and home cooks! Il Peposo alla Fornicina (Kiln Worker's Stew) 2 pounds beef stew meat 10 garlic cloves, peeled and cut into small pieces 3 or 4 cups red wine Salt 3 tablespoons ground pepper, fresh and coarsely ground Cut the stew meat into small pieces. Put the meat in a stew pot that will fit in your oven. Add the garlic, wine, and pepper. Cover and cook in a moderate oven (350 degrees F.) until the meat falls apart. Stir occasionally. Serve the stew in deep dishes on slices of toasted country style bread rubbed with garlic. For a thicker sauce, substitute tomato sauce for wine. However, remember, the tomato was not introduced into Italy until after the discovery of America! A great dish to cook ahead and reheat. Garmugia Watermelon Sorbetto 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 Brunelleschi's Pepper Stew recipe to a friend!