My son will actually ask for this meal by name, a rarity in and of itself. He told me that it is his comfort food and I agree there is something very special about this soup. It can be made in about 15 minutes and has only a few ingredients. The combination of these ingredients becomes a magical, hearty soup, only one bowl needed and you will feel full, warm and nourished. Try it yourself and let me know if you like it. 

Zuppa Pavese – pronounced – zoopah pahvesay 

Ingredients

Butter or ghee

Crusty bread – but any bread will do, a piece for each person

Broth – any broth will do, we use chicken bone broth, 2 1/2 cups per person

Eggs – 2 per person

Parmesan Cheese – grated

Ground Nutmeg 

Ground Black Pepper – course

Fresh Cilantro

Preparation 

Melt butter in a saucepan (medium heat) , brown/toast the bread in the butter on each side – put each piece into a soup bowl when it’s done.

In the buttery saucepan add broth, keep on medium to low heat. Add the raw eggs one at a time – you will be poaching them in the broth. It must come to a boil very slowly so that the eggs stay intact. 

While that is coming to a boil, prepare the bread in the soup bowl – sprinkle parmesan and nutmeg on each piece – as much as you like. Pick cilantro leaves (de-stem), and set them aside to add to the soup at the very end. 

Once broth has come to a boil – keep it on a very low boil until the eggs are cooked to your liking. We like our eggs a little soft in the middle. Turn off when eggs are done, and scoop them out immediately and put on top of bread pieces in each bowl. Then pour broth over bread and eggs. Sprinkle your bowl of soup with cilantro leaves and top it all with the black pepper. Bon appetito!

The post Italian Comfort Food – Zuppa Pavese appeared first on Zoe Weston.

Every summer, my then husband and I had a ritual of visiting his family in Switzerland. That year we decided to take a little side trip South for a few days when we found out that one of our favorite movies – Star Wars Attack of the Clones had been filmed at a famous villa in Lago di Como. The historic villa was open to visitors and us two Star Wars nerds were ready for some fandom adventure. 

We packed a small bag and jumped in the car to start our romantic pilgrimage to the Villa del Balbionello. We crossed the Swiss border into Italy without a hitch. The three and a half hour drive from Berne to the Lago di Como region is filled with a variety of language, architecture and vegetation.  Lago di Como is what I call eye candy – a magical lakeside setting with a countryside vibe.  

We explored several lakeside towns, practiced our Italian ordering gelato, vino, cappuccinos, Prosecco,  pasta and pizza a bizzeffe. One of our best meals was the cheapest, and an accidental find, actually a miraculous find – the only restaurant open at 8pm on a Sunday. In Italy, many restaurants are closed or close early on Sundays. That long weekend we ate and drank every meal outside in an ancient courtyard. Is it me or does everything taste better alfresco? 

Finally it was time to visit the epic Star Wars Villa – that’s what we were calling it between ourselves. The grounds were perfection – manicured gardens, majestic architecture and lakeside port of entry. I imagined what it must have been like to live in a such an exquisite place, which had started as a monastery in the 13th century. This historical site is famous for it’s intricate terrace design and this is where the famous love scene between Anakin and Padme (the parents of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia Organa) took place. As my husband and I walked out to the famous “spot” where the scene took place, he indulged my fantasy grabbing me and kissing me where the famous lovers sealed their fate. I was giddy and filled with the magic that is Italy – it was an epic moment! 

Italy is still one of the most visited countries in the world and remains a place of romance, artistic treasures and eternal wonder. 

Padme & Anakin Moment Villa del Balbionello

Anakin & Padme – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones

Villa del Babionello, Lago di Como

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