Italy's glowing reputation with wine is due not only to the fact that it produces and exports more than any other country but that it offers the greatest variety of types, ranging through nearly every color, flavor and style imaginable.

Italian producers have moved rapidly to the forefront of world enology, improving techniques to create wines of undeniable class in every region, north and south. Their wines derive not only from native vines, which represent an enormous array, but also from a complete range of international varieties.

In the past it was sometimes said that Italians kept their best wines to themselves while supplying foreign markets with tasty but anonymous vino in economy sized bottles. But markets have changed radically in recent times as consumers in many lands-most importantly in Italy itself-have insisted on better quality. The result is simply better wine! If you would like to read more about the wine please visit this website.

These flavorful raisin cookies are always on hand at my house for when guests stop by. Although they are great with a cup of coffee for a quick mid-day snack, they are also delicious for breakfast with a cup of cafe latte for dipping.


1 Cup Water
1 Cup Raisins
1 Cup Shortening
3 Eggs
1 Cup Sugar
1 1/2 Teaspoons Cinnamon
3 1/2 Cups Flour
3 Teaspoons Baking Powder

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly grease two baking sheets. Place the water and raisins in a small pot, and bring to a boil. Add the shortening, and remove from the heat, stirring until the shortening has melted. In a bowl, beat together the eggs and the sugar until light. Add the raisin mixture to the egg mixture, and then add the flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon. Mix just until combined. Drop by tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets, leaving space between each cookie. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are set, and the bottoms lightly browned.

I am always searching for the perfect market to compliment my regular shopping and I have discovered this company and do recommend them. Ironically they are located here in South Florida. Wholesale Italian Food has become a reliable supplier for many prestigious restaurants and grocery chains with our food products. Wholesale Italian Food offers home and restaurant delivery for many fresh imported Italian foods. WholesaleItalianFood.com is an e-commerce website operated by a privately-owned importer and distributor headquartered in South Florida.

In business for nearly 30 years as an importer and distributor of food products in the food service industry, our company in combination with our suppliers have become a reliable source for several large restaurant chains nationwide. Our products are supplied from some of the largest manufacturers in Italy bringing the highest quality items from some of the most traditional regions of this country.

With our experience and expertise, Wholesale Italian Food has created a strong relationship with our suppliers that has allowed us to be always capable of supplying a variety of products at the best prices. Combined with these great prices and our astonishingly low freight rates, Wholesale Italian Food believes that it has created a recipe for success for your restaurant or home kitchen!

Valentine's Day today has become a very large, commercial affair, but it remains a time for us to tell those we love how important they are to us. Every year, as February 14th approaches, candy, flowers, gifts, and cards are exchanged between loved ones, but where did this holiday actually originate?

Quite obviously, one would first assume that there was in fact a man named St. Valentine, who somehow was responsible for creating this day of romance. In fact, it is said that the Roman Catholic church recognizes at least three saints named Valentine, or Valentinus, all who were martyred.

Espresso, caffè normale, cappuccino; sometimes it seems that there are as many types of coffee in Italy as there are pastas. And just like pasta, Italian coffee is an art form with many customs and traditions. Whether it's a caffè corretto thrown back like a shot, a cappuccino and brioche for breakfast, or a granita di caffè con panna to cool off from the hot midday sun, in Italy there is a coffee drink specific for every time and mood.

caffè (espresso)—a small cup of very strong coffee, i.e., espresso
caffè Americano—American-style coffee, but stronger; weaker than espresso and served in a large cup
caffè corretto—coffee "corrected" with a shot of grappa, cognac, or other spirit
caffè doppio—double espresso
caffè freddo—iced coffee
caffè Hag—decaffeinated coffee
caffè latte—hot milk mixed with coffee and served in a glass for breakfast
caffè macchiato—espresso "stained" with a drop of steamed milk: small version of a cappuccino
caffè marocchino—espresso with a dash of hot milk and cacao powder
caffè stretto—espresso with less water; rocket fuel!
cappuccino—espresso infused with steamed milk and drunk in the morning, but never after lunch or dinner
granita di caffè con panna—frozen, iced beverage (similar to a slush, but ice shavings make it authentic) and topped with whipped cream

I wanted to take a moment to share my Home Collection of rich Italian dinnerware with you, so with out further a due, welcome to the Rita Monti Home Collection. Hand-formed and hand-painted works of art for your table. The table settings in my Home Collection reflect the character of their name-sakes in color, line and emotion. Each creation will vary slightly, as each piece is hand-formed on a potter’s wheel and hand-painted in the traditional methods that are the hallmarks of the ceramic artisan. The Rita Monti Home Collection brings the culture and vitality of the Italian lifestyle from my home to yours. Our collection has been featured in fine stores such as Williams-Sonoma and Neiman Marcos. Today our collection is available exclusively from our import facility in Florida and can be purchased online and carefully shipped directly to your door. Our focus has always been to share the Italian Way of Life with others, and our online process allows us to make this possible in a more affordable fashion.

One of my favorite and most popular collections is the Roma Collection. The brilliant yellow of the sun has illuminated Roman art from the times of the Empire through the Italian Renaissance. My Roma Collection reflects the magnificent glory and sensations of Italy's Eternal City. Vibrant color and traditional braided designs merge to create works of delicate elegance, allowing anyone to possess the spirit of eternity.

BUONGIORNO everyone! I wanted to take a moment to express how happy I am with all of the comments and well wishes I have received over the past month. I have been really trying to work as hard as I can to build my business, manage all my regular daily work at home, spend enough time with my daughter and of course my wonderful husband. I have found that the most importantly I am not alone. When I get my daughter off to school, Phillip off to work and the house finally gets quiet, I find myself chatting with people across America, answering e-mails, posting to my blog, and by lunchtime, I have managed to catch up with my regular tasks and plan for a very eventful afternoon. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am inspired. My goal has always been to share my Italian heritage with others, I did not anticipate how much I would get in return. I did not anticipate how much I would learn about other people!

Someone asked me the other day if I was going to post any more photos - well the truth is simple, I am so shy. All the pictures I usually use are from our original packaging concepts. I know I need to get some more made, but as prioities go that it not at the top of my list...ha!

Well, I am digging through my old recipe box and am looking to find a recipe to add to my Thanksgiving collection I have been posting. I think I am going to suggest something new I found recently, I have not made it personally but it just looks great! More to follow! -Rita

This is a delicious unique topping for bruschetta that would be great for the upcoming holidays when we are all looking for new ideas to serve to family and friends. The radicchio topping can be made up to two days in advance, and when needed the bruschetta can be assembled in just a few minutes. Radicchio di Treviso is a long, dark red lettuce with a slightly bitter flavor. By slowly cooking the radicchio with sliced red onions until soft with a little honey and balsamic vinegar, the topping has a sweet and sour flavor that Italians call "agrodolce". This topping is spread on top of creamy goat cheese which adds a whole new dimension of flavor. I used a multigrain baguette type of bread, but any long, crusty bread would work well. Serves 6-8 by Deborah Mele. To view more recipies by Deborah please visit her site.

What are your traditions?
Friday is always a welcomed day for most of us. It means we get to spend time with our family, work around our homes, maybe do a little shopping. For me this weekend will be spent planning for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. Some of you may be wondering do Italians celebrate Thanksgiving? Well, the truth is Thanksgiving is pretty much a truly all American tradition, we do not exactly have the Plymouth rock in Italy, it would be just another stone in a 2000 year old Roman ruin. Even the transliteral phrase in Italian for Thanksgiving, La Festa del Ringraziamento, refers to a variety of religious holidays held throughout the year for patron saints. I guess you could say we celebrate the holiday all year long.

Most Americans who live in Italy find it hard to even find the ingredients to re-create a traditional meal. Italian Thanksgiving, for most Italian Americans, then, means the inclusion of special Italian recipes to accompany the Turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade.

Every family of Italian heritage has different culinary traditions to celebrate the holiday. Over the next few weeks I look forward to sharing some of my families traditions with you. And I would be delighted to hear from you about what makes your Thanksgiving special.

Rita Monti

Many people ask me how I come up with the designs for my hand-painted Italian dinnerware and tableware - well I suppose the best answer is this - I was just born with the inspiration and it is simply part of who I am. Italy and design are synonymous. In the world of design creativity, be it industrial design, art, fashion or furniture the world looks to Italy for inspiration. Since Roman times, Italians have led the way. It has been that way for such a span of time that this ability is more than heritage; it is a bloodline that sees and values the beauty hidden in an object.

I consider myself graced to have grown up in such beauty and to be influenced by such brilliance and honest heritage. Our goal at Rita Monti has always been to share the rich culture and tradition of our "bloodline" with others. When I create, I close my eyes and try and see my past, feel the beauty of my memories, and I just get inspired!

That's my answer, thanks for asking!