How did you come up with the name Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino?
This is the name of a very popular Italian dish (Roman, actually) and a favorite of mine. A quick-fix meal solution made with three simple ingredients. Besides the pasta of choice (usually spaghetti) there are: garlic (aglio), oil (olio) and spicy red chili pepper (peperoncino). The three simple elements, when simmered together in a wide-bottomed skillet, create a sinfully tasty mixture. It also constitutes the base for a majority of Italian recipes for pasta sauces, sautéed seafood, side dishes, etc.
I chose Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino as my masthead hoping to convey the versatility, generosity and a hint of spice so typical of the Italian culture and lifestyle.
If you'd like to make this dish, I've posted the recipe at Spaghetti URL
What is the idea behind Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino?
I wanted to share my love for food and the wonderful fresh ingredients that constitute the Italian cookery art. I hope to contribute an insider's view on authentic Italian culinary traditions, and illustrate the history, trivia and lore that often colors Italy's diverse regional cuisine.
With my recipes I wish to make a connection with other food-lovers. I'd like Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino to be an informal kitchen where folks stop in for a bite, meet and discuss everything, from the day's events to the contents of their shopping basket.
[by popular demand] Where can we eat the best Spaghetti Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino in Rome?
The best spaghetti AO+P are the ones made at home, in the old grubby frying pan with the good olive oil, young garlic and the chili peppers from Calabria. There are however good trattorie that occasionally make this dish, but since it is one of those homestyle fixes everyone knows how to prepare (even Italian men!), it's hardly ever a featured menu item.
Your best bet is going to an informal dining establishment, like a trattoria, osteria or vino e cucina joint, and ask the person in the kitchen to make it for you!
Here are a few places where you can do that without raising eyebrows:
- Da Lucia – Vicolo del Mattonato 2/B – Tel. 065803601 (Trasevere)
- Da Giovanni – Via della Lungara, 41/A – Tel. 066861514 (Trastevere)
- Agustarello a Testaccio – Via G. Branca, 98/100 – Tel. 065746585
- Lo Scopettaro – Lungotevere Testaccio, 7 – Tel. 065757912
- Da Roberto – Via della Magliana, 763 – Tel. 066550662 (Portuense)
- Trattoria Ponte Mollo – Via Tor di Quinto, 11 – Tel. 063333608 (Flaminio)
- Hostaria Da Edmondo – Circonvallazione Clodia, 90 – Tel. 063701272 (Prati)
- Dar Pallaro – Largo del Pallaro, 13 – Tel. 0668801488 (Campo de' Fiori)
- La Capanna – Piazza Dante, 23 – Tel. 06730369 (Esquilino)
- Pommidoro – Piazza dei Sanniti, 44 – Tel. 064452692 (San Lorenzo)
- Cul de Sac – Piazza Pasquino, 73 – Tel. 0668801094 (Navona)
- Buccone – Via di Ripetta, 19 – Tel. 063612154 (Piazza del Popolo)
Lola is my nickname, I've had it since I was a small child. I began blogging as Lola. Later, I decided to change signatures to my real name, Eleonora, in order to link the blog with my professional writing and culinary services. I've written about my name duality in Whatever Lola Wants
My home is in Rome, Italy – one of the most ancient, romantic and enchanting cities in the world.
Where are you from in America?
I was born in Bennington, Vermont and my first home was a lovely colonial house on Monument Avenue that belonged to my father's family. But my parents were actually living in Los Angeles at the time, so we soon returned there, shortly after I was born. I moved to Roma–my mother's hometown–when I was 3 years old, and have lived in Italy ever since.
How do you manage keeping 4 blogs, run a household and bring home the bacon?
I have worked as an independent film industry professional for 15 years. My job title is "script supervisor in charge of continuity," and I have contributed my craft to quite a number of feature films and TV series. But I am first and foremost, the proud, single mother of a young Roman rascal. Time has – needless to say – become my most valuable asset! The need to spend more quality time raising my growing preschooler clashed with the obtrusive hours of the film set.
So now I write stories, essays and features for a number of food and travel magazines, and have a regularl column on The Travel Belles and The American | In Italia.
I update Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino regularly and keep three other blogs, Roma Every Day + Rome City Guide for Kids + Forchettine
I nurse my newfound love for photography, and collect new and vintage cameras.
I work as Editor in Chief and Marketing manager for Cibando, an Italian web company that produces quality content for restaurants. You can download the Cibando Dining App for free.
I am editing my second manuscript, while I wait for the book deal on the first one to happen.
I'm presently working on getting a sommelier certification, and attending cooking classes, photography workshops and writing seminars as often as I possibly can.
How do I do all this? Honestly, I don't know.
I must have superpowers.
What camera do you use for your food and landscape photography?
I always carry a compact digital, point-and-shoot Sony DSC T-90 all purpose, thin camera that fits in my pocket. It has lots of nice features and functions, like a Zeiss lens; a "Gourmet Capture" mode for when I'm dining out and need to grab images in restaurants; full HD video; gyro sensors for stabilization; high resolution, and overall great performance.
My other compact camera for travel and lifestyle capture is a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 It has a versatile Leica lens that ranges from ultra wide-angle to long zoom, which is great for landscape and detail photography. It features a built-in sensor that can record full-HD videos; it can shoot in 3D photo mode; and has an intuitive touch screen which allows control of zoom, auto focus, shutter, and playback.
For more professional shooting, or when I have to get really serious about my food stills, I use a Canon EOS Rebel Xti/400D Reliable digital single lens reflex (SLR), and overall great camera with lots of useful features. Perfect for those wide open, shallow depth-of-field buttery images of mouthwatering food. I love the Rebel's compact size and reduced weight, which makes it easier to carry along at markets, wine tastings while skipping on cobblestones with my little boy.
My mother gave me her vintage 1970s Rolleiflex medium format twin lens reflex (TLR) camera, and I am hunting for film to start shooting with it!
I've also recently fallen in love with the Instagram iPhone app, which allows lots of fun editing, beautifying filters and quick sharing options. In the kitchen, where does the inspiration come from?
The stalls in the open-air market. The colorful gifts of Mother Nature are the best inspiration! I learned to cook from my mother who still hardly ever plans menus. When I was growing up, she and I would stroll to il mercato and buy whatever intrigued us. The recipes would come later.
Can you lend any Rome accommodation tips?
Here are a some very nice and affordable boutique hotels and B+B
Lancelot - Colosseum
The Suite - Studio apartment in Trastevere
Antica Locanda - Monti
Hotel Grifo -Monti
Hotel Apollo -Monti
Duca D'Alba -Colosseum/Monti
Caesar House B&B - Forum
Sole al Biscione - Campo de' Fiori
Modigliani - Spanish Steps
Arco del Lauro - Trastevere
Episcopo Lipinski - Via Margutta
Mimosa - Pantheon
These are more upscale hotels:
Portrait Suites - Guesthouse run by the Ferragamo family
Hotel Piranesi - Piazza del Popolo
Hotel Donna Camilla Savelli - Trastevere
FortySeven - Forum/Bocca della VeritÃ
Hotel Santa Maria - Trastevere
Hotel Portoghesi - Pantheon
Hotel Locarno - Piazza del Popolo
Residenza di Ripetta - Piazza del Popolo
Hotel Residenza in Farnese - Piazza Navona
Aldrovandi - Villa Borghese
Parco dei Principi - Villa Borghese/Parioli
Inn at the Roman Forum - Monti
Villa Laetitia Guesthouse - Piazza del Popolo/Prati
Casa Howard Guesthouse - Spanish Steps
Otherwise you can consider the idea of staying in a handsome holiday rental:
The Suite in Rome
Rome-Accom
Rental In Rome
Roman Reference
Romesweethome
Rome Downtown Rentals
Mok'House
Vacation Rental By Owner
Holiday-Rentals
Rental in Rome
Slow Trav
O-Solemio
Where else can I connect with Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino?
You can follow me on Twitter @passerotto
Like my Page on Facebook
Check out my photostream on Flickr
Keep up with my updates on FoodBuzz
I love your comments and questions, and I'd love to hear from you.
Feel free to use the contact form or email me directly at italiainbocca@gmail.com
Thank you for visiting Aglio, Olio e Peperoncino
...buon appetito!
