How soon the year passes!

We've thrown out the old and welcomed a new year. That's Capodanno for Italians and they celebrate with lots of food, wine and optimism! Lentils are the stars of the table this time, said to bring good luck and they are served with pork sausage. Befana cake, named after a kind old witch, is also a must, and if you do not know why Befana is more important than Babbo Natale (Father Christmas), just ask Italian children. They wait with great excitement for her to deliver treats on the feast of the Epiphany, January 6.

Once the tinsel, tissue paper and toys are put away, it's time to settle into a long winter, do some serious cooking, and baking and fulfill those promises we made to ourselves called resolutions.

So what's new at Ciao Italia? A new web site, a new series of shows coming in May of '09 and a new cookbook of five-ingredient recipes to be published in the fall. I really had fun writing that book and it became a challenge to come up with recipes using five ingredients that were true to the integrity of Italian food. I hope you like it.

January is also the time that I start to develop the shows for the next season, and this year will be especially important because it marks the twentieth year of producing the series! I am so proud of all the people that I work with who have made this happen. And it is a testament to you as well, because without loyal viewers, we would not have this longevity. Thank you! So there is much to look forward to in the New Year. I hope yours will be full of hope, wonderful surprises, goodwill towards others and laughter.

Buon Anno!

Beth Ann's No-Guilt January Soup

New Years Day Menu for You:

Little Potato Ball Soup

Lentils With Leeks and Sausage

Polenta and Vegetable CasseroleBefana Cake

Fennel and Orange Salad