In the Cathedral of Pescia, Tuscany you will find an extraordinary piece of art. In the Turini Chapel is a painting that looks exactly like Raphael’s Madonna Del Bacacchino which is in housed in the Pitti Palace, Florence. The story behind this magnificent copy is actually rather fascinating. At...
These divine little tartlets use a traditional Breton biscuit recipe for the base which I like because, unlike traditional pastry, there is no need to chill or roll out the dough. The addition of freshly ground black pepper might seem contradictory but it gives the meringue a real spicy...
In a chapel of the church of Saints Boniface and Alexius, on the Aventine Hill, part of the wooden staircase under which Saint Alexius lived for seventeen years has been preserved. Before the 10th century, there is no record of Saint Alexius in the West, but from then...
I imagine when you read the title to this dish you had a queried look on your face – how do you have a chocolate mousse made with avocado? Well you can and I can assure you it is sensational. This mousse not only has all the nutrient benefit...
Here is a wonderful roast chicken recipe where the chicken’s juices run into the baguette as it cooks, providing a real depth of flavour and crunch to the dish. The sage, lemon, garlic and artichokes are quintessential Mediterranean flavours and the mustard vinaigrette adds the perfect final touch. This is...
This is another of my favourite soups and when the carrots are sweet and in season, especially when I can pick them out of my garden, then the taste is even more delicious. This recipe uses buffalo-milk yoghurt which you can buy from speciality store, but Greek yoghurt works...
(Guido Reni – Saint Philip Contemplating the Virgin in the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella) Founder of the Congregation of the Oratory, also known as the Congregation of Fillippinis after his forename, Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595) was often referred to as the joyful saint because of his cheerful...
Once a week in Chiesa Nuova (Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella), after Saturday evening mass, worshippers can take part in a very strange spectacle – the sexton lets down a Ruben’s painting by remote control to reveal a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary behind it....
Guérande sea salt As long as 2700 years ago, salt was being extracted on the Guérande peninsula, in the southern tip of Brittany, near the Loire estuary. In the distant past clay containers full of salt water were heated in ovens until salt was produced. The Romans obtained...
According to legend, Athena and Poseidon were unable to agree on which of them was to rule Attica. Zeus, the father of the gods, was summoned to arbitrate. He told the squabbling pair that he would declare the victor whichever of them could show him the most beneficial discovery...
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.
