While this wonderful Italian brioche may seem like a lot of work (and I generally start it the day before I want to serve it), it is well worth the effort and makes for an outstanding dessert or a special afternoon tea/picnic treat. Please do give it a...
There is something perfect about little grape tomatoes – they always look so delicious and turn an ordinary salad into something quite extraordinary. I always have plenty growing in my garden!. Their colour too just represents summer and this tart is the perfect summer dish to share, albeit...
When you travel to Croatia, make certain that you seek out traditional food, as it is certain to delight your tastebuds. Sailing around Croatia, I was very lucky to have been invited to many a home, where I truly began to understand the uniqueness and flavour of the...
This is a wonderful Moussaka recipe from Maggie Beer which is found in her cookbook Maggie’s Kitchen. This is a lighter version of the traditional moussaka as it uses a really good chicken stock in the béchamel sauce, and the chicken stock really does work and this version is...
Pastis gascon is a superfine puff pastry dessert, inherited from the 8th century Moors while en route through Gascony to Poitiers, but it is now considered to be native dish of Gascony, and as such, must be made with Armagnac. It you love dishes with filo pastry, then...
I recently shared with you Maggie’s Verjuice Cookbook, but here I want to share with you Maggie’s Kitchen – a cookbook of pure country delight, celebrating good, fresh, simple food that has become so much a staple of the way that I cook today, thanks to Maggie. The first thing I...
Here is another of those dishes which is just made to share. Tahchin means ‘arranged at the bottom’ and is composed of a crisp saffron-infused rice layered with chicken, youghurt and barberries. You might have a fight on your hands for the bottom (top) layer of rice...
I put lasagne up there with the best of comfort foods. It is such a perfect dish to share and is always guaranteed to put a smile on the faces of family and friends. Here is a sensational Sicilian Chocolate Lasagne – it might sound strange but chocolate is...
According to legend, zuccotto is the first semifreddo in the history of cooking and was originally made in an infantryman’s studded helmt. In the Tuscan dialect zucca means ‘head’. It was originally prepared with ricotta, glacé (candied) fruit, almonds and dark (semisweet) chocolate. I love this dessert – it is quick and...
Here is one of my favourite dishes from Tuscany, the cookbook I shared with you on my blog. This recipe comes from the province of Lucca. This is such a wonderful soup to share with friends (this recipe will serve 6) – just add some Tuscan bread or ciabatta and...
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.
