A great variety of different types of amaretti and the smaller amerettini, can be found in Italy, from the tiny, hard cookies to the large and succulent macaroons with their rounded tops. An expresso ordered in a northern Italian bar with usually arrive accompanied by cookie of this kind,...
After sharing the review of Purple Citrus & Sweet Perfume I decided to share one of my favourite recipes from her book as a tempter …. do try these delicious little morsels but I warn you to make sure you do quite a few as your guests will love them!!! Crunchy...
The relationship between wine and medicine in the Renaissance is interesting and has its foundations in the ancient texts of Hippocrates, Discorides (his De universa medicina provided an analysis of some 500 plants with medicinal value) and Galen, as well as the writings of Hildegard von Bingen in her Physica which...
“The Cyclops took the wine and drank it up. And the delicious drink gave him such exquisite pleasure that he asked for another bowlful. ‘Give me more, please, and tell me your name – here and now – I would like to make you a gift that will please...
You will all have heard of the goddess Aphrodite but here is a little piece about her and her relationship with Cyprus…. It is said that wherever Aphrodite wandered, sweet-smelling roses grew at her feet. Many ancient myths have been woven about the birth of this goddess. Cronos,...
Established in the 17th century, the oldest cemetery in Brussels soon attracted aristocracy and bourgeoisie thanks to the presence of the tomb of the first Queen of the Belgians. With its tall trees and 13th-century church that now lies partly in ruins, it has an undeniably romantic character. Different...
Nikola Božidarević, Dubrovnik’s most famous painter only ever signed himself twice on his preserved paintings – as Nicolas Rhagusinus and Nicolo Raguseo – so his true identity was only discovered some two centuries after his death. His father Božidar Vlatković was himself a skilled painter with his own workshop in Dubrovnik and no...
I have been reading Bernard Berenson’s The Venetian Painters of the Renaissance (published in 1894) and I came across this piece which I found quite deep and interesting, so I thought I would share it with you. “The Renaissance had resulted in the emancipation of the individual, in making him feel...
In Assistens Cemetery Copenhagen, there is a rather unusual tombstone showing a many-breasted female figure which is dedicated to the natural philosopher and polymath Peter Christian Abildgaard. Abildgaard was a man of the Enlightenment who was interested in all branches of natural history, as reflected in the carvings. The...
Named after the rich Pinto family, this imposing classical style house today contains a public library with little-known superb painted ceilings. Fleeing the Inquisition against the Jews in Portugal, the Da Pinto family immigrated to The Netherlands at the very beginning of the 17th century. They set themselves up...
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.
