I’m an unabashed fan of Tessa Kiros’ cookbooks all of which are within easy reach in my library. If you haven’t discovered her, then you must and to assist you with an initial choice I decided I would share her glorious cookbook Venezia – food & dreams (published by Murdoch Books,...
In the Bolboli gardens – near the entrance to the left of Palazzo Pitti – one encounters a curious fountain showing an overweight male figure astride a tortoise. Setting aside the tone of playful burlesque which was such an integral part of Florentine Mannerist architecture, one might read...
I love the simplicity and versatility of fish. Here is a recipe which I have cooked numerous times and it never fails to delight. The delicious combination of lemon, garlic, capers and white wine just make this a winner. Lemons were introduced into Spain in the 11th century and...
On the floor of St Mark’s Basilica, just in front of the main doorway on the left, is a curious but beautiful mosaic of a starred dodecahedron. It is attributed to Paolo Uccello, the famous Florentine Renaissance artist (1397-1475), who here was perhpas influenced by Luca Bartolommeo de Pacioli...
Dating back to the Renaissance, the historic game of “Florentine football” is sometimes considered the ancestor of the modern-day version, however the rules of and the physical contact in the game make it more similar to rugby than to football. The players in the Renaissance came from the...
At the transept crossing the Church of I Gesuiti (Santa Maria Assunta), the statues of four archangels sculpted by Giuseppe Torretti (c.1660-1743) are enthroned within specially created niches. Whilst the archangels Gabriel, Raphael and Michael are well-known, the fourth – Sealtiel – is much less so. In the choir...
The harsh karst land that ripples across Central Croatia generally supports only sparse vegetation and forms a formidable natural barrier that cuts off the Northern Dalmatian coast. But in the heart of this rugged terrain, in the midst of the mountains of Mala Kapela and Plješivica, is the lush...
With its fine polychrome marble façade, Ca’Dario is one of the most charming palazzo in Venice but it is also one of the most mysterious. It seems that purchasing the building can very quickly lead to the ruin or violent death of the owner. The earliest of such...
I love this chicken dish – it is so Mediterranean and brings back wonderful memories of days spent in Greece, where one meal seems to slowly move into the next almost without notice. There are two keys to this dish: one is the marinade combination, and the second is...
The Paklenica National Park is situated in the imposing Velebit massif, with its entrance in Starigrad Paklenica, off the Magistrala coastal road. It was opened in 1949 and covers an area of 36 sq km (14 sq miles) and is formed by two main gorges: Mala Paklenica and Velika...
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.
