Welcome to my world of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, culture, and living.

I create recipes, gourmet products, cookbooks, events, tv appearances, and culinary tours to share not only flavors and techniques, but also the people, rich traditions, and breathtaking places that inspired them.

I love teaching others how to use the world’s healthiest diet to live better and longer. After living and working all over the Mediterranean region, I’ve witnessed firsthand how the Mediterranean lifestyle can transform lives.

Follow me on a delectable journey that will help you lead your best life while enjoying yourself in the process!

My Top Recipe for National Italian Food Day
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

My Top Recipe for National Italian Food Day

February 13 is National Italian Food Day, and this year I thought I’d share the Italian recipe from my top Italian post. It comes as no surprise, just a few days after we celebrated National Pizza Day, that the world’s most popular food would be at top place!

Read More
Introducing My New Calabrian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Introducing My New Calabrian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

“The day that Calabria was created God found 15,000 Km of green clay with purple reflections in his fist…the Lord promised himself that he would make a masterpiece and Calabria came out of his hands…..” ~ Leonida Repaci

Read More
Savoring the Flavors of the Maghreb &amp; Southern Italy</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Savoring the Flavors of the Maghreb & Southern Italy

Despite the fact that Italian food has earned top rank as both the world's and the United States' favorite cuisine, there are still many layers of regional flavors that remain unknown outside of their respective communities. Among these "culinary time capsules," as I like to call them, are the Italian flavors of North Africa. "Maghreb" is the Arabic word for "sunset" which was given as the Arabic name of the modern-day country of Morocco because it was the Western most country of the Arab world, from where the sun sets.

Read More
Edible Love on National Italian Food Day
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Edible Love on National Italian Food Day

February 13 is National Italian Food Day in the United States, and I'm ready to celebrate my love for all things Italian on Fox 5 DC tomorrow! Since it's the day before Valentine's Day, I thought heart shaped Ravioli Capresi, a recipe unique to the romantic island of Capri, would be the perfect dish to demonstrate.

Read More
Top 5 Fun and Creative Italian Solutions for Holiday Entertaining</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Top 5 Fun and Creative Italian Solutions for Holiday Entertaining

We’re just a few nights away from the Winter Solstice and we could all use a little extra cheer on our tables. But since Christmas and New Year are just days away, there's no time to spare. Here are my top 5 fun, easy, and creative Italian solutions for holiday entertaining

Read More
Top 5 Best Italian Recipes for Summertime</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Top 5 Best Italian Recipes for Summertime

Summertime and outdoor gatherings go hand in hand, but many people are challenged when preparing warm-weather meals. Here are a few of my favorite Italian recipes from my newly released Italian Recipes for Dummies.

Read More
In Vinitaly Veritas</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

In Vinitaly Veritas

"Ci sono vini buoni, molto buoni o buonissimi, ma che col tempo puoi dimenticare, semplicemente perché ce ne sono tanti. Poi ci sono i vini indimenticabili, decisamente pochi, che popolano una ristretta lista personale che ciascuno di noi ha messo là perché colpito, forse, da una sfumatura organolettica inaspettata. E poi ci sono i vini emozionanti, difficilissimi da incontrare ma facilissimi da riconoscere…

Read More
Calabria Bottled: Discovering the Wine of Champions</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Calabria Bottled: Discovering the Wine of Champions

A few years ago, my ancestral homeland of Calabria was named “Italy’s most delicious secret” by Traveler Magazine, and this year, for the first time, the Association of Italian Sommelier’s Guida Vitae 2022 named one our wines, Librandi’s Megonio IGP, “The Best Italian Wine” for 2022.

Read More
Warm Up with Mediterranean Spice, Orange, and EVOO Infused Gingerbread</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Warm Up with Mediterranean Spice, Orange, and EVOO Infused Gingerbread

Approximately 25,000 cups of tea are enjoyed per second around the globe. January is National Tea Month, and this recipe is the perfect partner for one of the world's favorite beverages. When temperatures drop to frigid levels, as they are right now in the Washington, DC area, I turn to spice-infused recipes, hot drinks, and lots of extra-virgin olive oil to soothe my psyche and warm my spirits, all while reaping extra anti-inflammatory benefits.

Read More
Introducing My Two New Products &amp; 6 Ways to Celebrate Italian Cuisine Week</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Introducing My Two New Products & 6 Ways to Celebrate Italian Cuisine Week

Nov 16-21 is known as the World Week of Italian Cuisine, and it gives me great pleasure to celebrate this occasion with the introduction of two new Amy Riolo Selections products. In addition to my 100% Italian Extra-Virgin Olive Oil from the award-winning Trappeto di Caprafico, I will am now offering the following products. Use discount code "amyriolo" at checkout to receive 10% off these and ALL OTHER products on the DITALIA site.

Read More
If you believe - muffins, merigues and Jim Brickman’s music
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

If you believe - muffins, merigues and Jim Brickman’s music

Lately I've really been enjoying my Wednesday afternoon TasteTalkswithAmy Instagram live events. Those discussions are my chance to chat about all of the things that inspire me - food, wine, fashion, art, poetry, music, and travel with amazing people.

This last Wednesday having the legendary songwriter, pianist, and radio show host Jim Brickman as my guest was a dream come true for several reasons.

Read More
Blueberry beyond breakfast
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Blueberry beyond breakfast

It’s #NationalBlueberryMonth and many people are getting their fill of the delicious and nutrient-dense fruit in muffins and pancakes, but that’s just the beginning of show-stopping dishes that you can showcase this super fruit in. Blueberries are one of America’s favorite fruits – and this is the time of year to enjoy them. When berries are in season, our bodies need more of the specific nutrients that they boost.

Read More
Mastering pizza fritta
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Mastering pizza fritta

The city of Napoli has offered the world many gastronomical triumphs that the term “Cucina Napoletana” refers not only to the city of Naples proper, but of the entire region of Campania itself. The UNESCO protected art of pizza-making is what Neapolitans are most known for, but truth be told, that’s just the tip of the culinary iceberg that this ancient metropolis has to offer.

Read More
Love at first bite: My Ode to Ravioli Capresi</a>
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

Love at first bite: My Ode to Ravioli Capresi

April is National Poetry Month in the United States. Lately I've had more time on my hands to enjoy the work of my favorite poets, like Pablo Neruda. Just the other day I remembered how he referred to the island of Capri as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean" and without even leaving my kitchen, I was able to re-live all of its splendor.

Read More
My Greek Easter - Menu and Memories
Amy Riolo Amy Riolo

My Greek Easter - Menu and Memories

As a young girl, attending the Easter Mass, festivals, and ceremonies at our town's Greek Orthodox Church was the highlight of my social calendar. At midnight during the Easter Mass, we always say “Christos Anesti ("Χριστός ἀνέστη!" - "Christ is Risen!" in Greek) to fellow attendees – and they always respond with: “Alithos Anesti” (Aληθώς ανέστη!) which means “truly he has risen.”

Then we would go home and eat sweet breads and pastries – and the next day, on Easter Sunday, we would have our feast.

Read More
La mia Pasqua alternativa/My alternative Easter
Fabio De Ciechi Fabio De Ciechi

La mia Pasqua alternativa/My alternative Easter

I love Easter so much that each year I celebrate it at least 4 times! First up on the calendar there's the Catholic Easter - which to me, is all about recreating my Nonna Angela's Cuzzupe di Pasqua recipe and ensuring that my little brother learns how to make it so that they can keep the recipe alive after me.

Read More

Diabetes for Dummies

Co-written with fellow Mediterranean diet expert Dr. Simon Poole this title was the #1 New Release in Category on the day it was released.

In this updated and expanded version, it was our goal to give readers real hope to prevent, manage, and even reverse diabetes as well as avoiding complications. We used a holistic, person-centered approach to managing Type 1, Type 2, Pre- diabetes, diabetes in children, and during pregnancy as well. It includes everything you need to know about glucose levels, preventing complications, and new treatment options.

We shared updated nutritional guidelines and many easy lifestyle hacks to help readers on their wellness journey. The appendix includes my culinary-medicine philosophy and mouth-watering, complete meal options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. You’ll learn to how to make the most out of a grocery shopping trip, how to stock a pantry, and how to eat both at home and out in order to keep your blood sugar in check and you living your best life.