A.M. Ruggirello's Blog

I’m always on the hunt for authentic food content that goes beyond the usual suspects, so when I stumbled across this Romanian documentary series, I was immediately hooked. I’m a Romanian food blog (duh, it’s why you’re here, after all), and can’t deny my love for comfort food stories, so “Portret gastronomic local” (Local Gastronomic Portrait) on the Amintiri Gustoase YouTube channel has become my latest obsession.

The series launched in September (I’m a little behind—sorry!) with new episo...

Since having my second child last year, I haven’t had much time to myself (read: none), so my gaming habits have… suffered, to say the least. When I do find twenty minutes of quiet, I turn on my Switch and load my newest favorite cozy game: Palia. (Brought to you by the original developers of The Sims franchise).

While playing, I met Reth—the local Palian chef. And one soup he’s constantly mentioning is his famous Lettuce Soup.

Lettuce Soup… where have I heard that before?

That’s when ...

This past Sunday (December 10, 2023), I set up a booth at a local holiday mini market featuring my two books: the From Dill to Dracula cookbook, and my kid’s picture book, Tully the Tadpole (Who Never Became a Toad). This was my first time participating in a market, and it was such a wonderful experience to share my stories with my community! I offered special Holiday Bundles of both books and have one remaining that I’d like to offer my digital visitors!

Romania, a land of breathtaking beauty, is so much more than its bustling cities. It’s a place where old-school traditions and the rural way of life still hold sway. On the second Sunday in October (today!), Romanians celebrate Ziua Agriculturii și a Vieții Rurale (pronounced zee-wah ahg-ree-kool-toor-ee shuh uh vee-eh-tsee roo-rah-leh), or Agriculture and Rural Life Day, a day the heart and soul of the nation’s countryside is honored.

↓Let the festivities begin!↓

Agriculture has forev...

I’m excited to share an upcoming celebration that invites you to join us in honoring the rich heritage and exquisite artistry of Romanian lace. On September 23, 2023, you can participate in Romanian Point Lace Day, a vibrant occasion dedicated to showcasing the beauty of this remarkable craft to the world.

As a child of Romanian immigrants, I feel like I share the responsibility to preserve and promote its legacy for future generations.

Romanian Po...

Today, Let’s Get Mythical is going to dive into another lesser-known but absolutely fascinating creature from Romanian folklore: the Balaur (pronounced bah-laoor). Much like the Zmeu from a previous post, if you’re into dragons, you’re going to want to keep reading!

So, what exactly is a Balaur? Well, imagine if a dragon and a Greek hydra had a baby with a pinch of Romanian flair to sweeten the pot. These magnificent beasts have been a part of Romanian mythology for centuries, and they’re...

It’s that time of year again, when I pull together some of my favorite (and absolutely vintage) Romanian finds off Esty! This time around, I’m focusing on things for the home. If you missed the previous two editions you can check them out here and here.

↓Old is the new New↓
{Home Edition}

Note: All these items are available at the time of posting, however, I can’t guarantee they will be available at future visits.

Check out this beauti...

Cașcaval Pane (pronounced kahsh-kah-vahl pah-neh) is Romania’s answer to the beloved mozzarella stick, made with—you guessed it—cașcaval cheese… or another semi-hard cheese if more readily available… and it pairs deliciously with my Mujdei De Usturoi garlic sauce!

↓ Recipe below ↓

New series alert! Let’s Get Mythical will focus on (largely) unknown creatures of Romanian mythology and folklore. No vampires allowed here! First up: the Zmeu….

What comes to mind when you hear the word “dragon”? A gigantic fire-breathing reptile, right? Well, you’re not alone.

But I’m going to have you toss that image aside because Romania’s Zmeu (pronounced zmeh-oo) isn’t your typical dragon. Imagine a mix of dragon, demon, and trickster–that’s a Zmeu! It’s like someone dipped a dr...

Budincă de Dovlecei (pronounced boo-deen-kuh deh dov-leh-chay) leans more into the realm of a pie than a pudding. However, regardless of the sugary terminology used, this dish is far from being a dessert!

As summer draws to a close, those who planted zucchini this year might find themselves inundated with this bountiful summer squash. Enter the recipe that lets you make the most of your harvest: Budincă de Dovlecei. Much like a crustless quiche, this dish offers a swift and simple way to prep...