Photo: Amber Guinness at home in Tuscany, effortlessly blending tradition and creativity in her serene kitchen filled with rustic charm.
Seasonal Recipes And Slow Living Inspiration
Amber Guinness celebrates Tuscan winters with soulful recipes, slow living, and artful storytelling in Winter in Tuscany, transforming humble ingredients into culinary treasures inspired by local traditions and hidden regional gems.
Amber Guinness and the Allure of Tuscan Winters
Amber Guinness’s Winter in Tuscany is far more than just a cookbook; it’s an ode to seasonal rustic recipes, slow living, and the magic of winter in one of Italy’s most idyllic regions. Through her book, Guinness shares her inspirations, cherished recipes, and local secrets that capture the true essence of Tuscany.
Embracing “Quanto Basta”
The foundation of Amber Guinness’s cooking ethos is the Italian phrase quanto basta (Q.B.), meaning “as much as you need.” “These two letters encapsulate what I love most about Italian cooking,” she explains. This approach gives cooks the freedom to move away from rigid measurements, allowing them to trust intuition instead. With quanto basta, a splash of olive oil or a pinch of seasoning becomes an instinctive art form. “It makes cooking so much more enjoyable and creative when you rely on your senses,” Amber adds.
Cooking Tradition with Practicality
Amber’s recipes illustrate the art of turning unassuming ingredients into something extraordinary. One standout in her book is spaghetti all’ubriacona (drunkard’s spaghetti), a Tuscan classic which creatively repurposes leftover wine. “The spaghetti takes on the violet hue of the wine, which is simmered down with pancetta and onion to create deep, earthy flavours,” she explains. Her culinary style merges pragmatism with elegance, honouring both simplicity and sophistication.
Tuscany’s Unseen Treasures
Beyond recipes, Winter in Tuscany introduces readers to some of the lesser-known jewels of the region. One of Amber’s favourites is the Monte Oliveto Maggiore monastery, tucked away in the Crete Senesi hills. “Visiting the abbey in the peaceful winter months, with its frescoed cloisters by Signorelli and Sodoma, is truly magical,” she shares. The monastery’s produce—olive oil, saffron, and honey—prominently inspires dishes like saffron speltotto, reflecting the connection between Tuscany’s ingredients and its culture.
The Joy of Slowing Down
For Amber, winter ushers in a slower, more mindful rhythm—both in the kitchen and in life. “Winter means spending cosy afternoons at the stove, making a rich broth or rolling handmade pici pasta with my son,” she says. Recipes such as peposo (Tuscan black pepper beef stew) embody this philosophy, encouraging unhurried cooking and savouring the process. Even travel, she suggests, should be unhurried: “Linger over fewer places, indulge in long meals, and skip rushed itineraries.”
Celebrating Vegetables And Pulses
Though Tuscan cuisine is frequently associated with meaty dishes like bistecca Fiorentina or wild boar stew, Amber highlights its devotion to vegetables and pulses. She offers glowing praise for cavolo nero (black cabbage), a key ingredient in many Tuscan winter meals. “It’s one of my favourites,” she says, “whether it’s in ribollita, sautéed simply with garlic and chilli, or turned into a vivid pesto.” Tuscans, often affectionately referred to as I mangiafagioli (the bean eaters), have a rich legacy of vegetable and bean dishes. Over half of the recipes in Winter in Tuscany are vegetarian, showcasing the region’s plant-based culinary traditions.
Heartwarming Winter Comfort
When asked what comfort food means to her during the colder months, Amber doesn’t hesitate. “My mum’s mini malfatti in broth,” she says with a warm smile. These ricotta and spinach dumplings served in a delicate chicken broth evoke memories of cherished family meals. “Making broth is such a simple act—slow, mindful, and full of care. There’s nothing more healing than a steaming bowl of soup.”
Overcoming Culinary Challenges
Not all of Amber’s recipes came easily; some needed extra effort to perfect. She recalls her process for recreating dishes inspired by beloved Tuscan recipes. For example, the zuppa di farro (spelt and cannellini bean soup) from Da Mario in Buonconvento and the polpette al Limone (lemony meatballs) at Alla Vecchia Bettola in Florence were painstakingly reimagined. “Their recipes were all about quanto basta—no exact quantities—so I had to learn by observing,” she explains. A trick she learned? Cooking spelt separately to preserve its texture and soaking bread in milk instead of using breadcrumbs for lighter meatballs.
Tuscan Wines as Perfect Companions
Amber also shares her expertise in Tuscan wine pairings. For bold dishes like bistecca Fiorentina, she recommends a Brunello di Montalcino, while a lighter Chianti Classico or Rosso di Montalcino pairs nicely with baked fennel and béchamel pasta. “Balance is key,” she advises. “The flavours should enhance each other, never compete.”
Cooking Is Art
Amber’s background as an artist shines through her culinary journey. “I naturally gravitate towards beauty, whether it’s a vibrant dish or an elegantly set table,” she admits. Her recipes celebrate the aesthetics of seasonal produce, from vibrant colours to thoughtful textures, creating an immersive experience for cooks.
Rethinking Tuscan Cuisine
Through her book, Amber challenges stereotypes about Tuscan cooking, particularly its association with meat-heavy dishes. She explains, “Traditional Tuscan food highlights vegetables, grains, and seasonal produce just as much as meat.” Her chapter on Piatti di Mezzo (“In Between Dishes”) is dedicated to hearty vegetarian recipes that are perfect for cold, wintry days.
What makes Winter in Tuscany truly special is Amber’s genuine passion for the Tuscan way of life. This book is more than a collection of recipes—it’s a heartfelt journey into the region’s traditions, Amber’s family connections, and the art of creating food that is shared and cherished. Whether dreaming of Tuscany or seeking warmth this winter, Amber Guinness invites readers to embrace slow living, soulful meals, and the beauty of Italian culture.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
Amber Guinness masterfully blends Tuscan traditions, culinary artistry, and storytelling, offering a guide to cooking, culture, and comfort through the seasons.
