In the Piazza della Minerva, Rome, you will find Bernini’s famous but curious elephant-obelisk. What is much less well-known however, is the symbolism behind the obelisk, which may answer the question as to why Bernini created such an unusual sculpture. Bernini’s design for the base of the obelisk,...
Other than a little bit of soaking and needing to chill this cake preferably overnight, this is dead simple to make and absolutely delicious. Served with a glass of your favourite sherry, well it has been described as “just wicked”. I like to serve this at the end of...
In the Treasury, Castello Sforzesco, Milan you will find an absolute visual delight. Walking west from the courtyard of Las Rocchetta, you come to Torre Castellana, on the ground floor of which is a superb fresco of Argus that has survived unseen for 500 years, but nowadays is open to...
Palazzo Clerici is one of the most opulent residences of eighteenth-century Milan. Booking is required to visit its spectacular Antechamber of Mirrors (also known as the Great Gallery or Tapestry Gallery) but it is more than worth taking the visit. The decoration of the gallery space of some...
This is just one of those dishes that falls into the ‘love to cook’ category – simple, full of flavour, colourful and like a day of sunshine, it just makes you smile. I like to use baby peas as I think they add an extra sweetness. The perfect...
If there is one dessert that seems to be universally loved, it has to be panna cotta. Perhaps because it is just so smooth and comforting, while still being that little bit decadent. Well, if you want something a little different in a panna cotta, then this recipe will...
If you want a perfect cake that represents beautiful sunny days, then this is it – a moist, fragrant, delicate cake topped with strawberries in syrup. All you need is a glass of some bubbly, if you are so inclined, so great friends and family, sunshine and all that...
I haven’t posted a recipe for a chilled soup before, but I do have several that I really do love preparing, and now that the sun has begun to warm me up, I have decided it is time to pull them out of the recipe file. Here is a...
Anything that has asparagus and feta in it immediately has my attention, then add mint, cos lettuce, anchovies and lemon and I am already preparing the dish. This is sensational and with or without the egg (I do like the poached egg) this is just so right on every...
There are times when I just want something very simple to prepare, but without compromising on taste and texture – well, this is one of those dishes and I never tire of making it. This has everything that I love about pasta and in this case – fresh broccoli, anchovies,...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
