The sun has been shining as we have enjoyed a relatively lovely Easter. I am ready to pop as I have had my fill of the children’s Easter eggs and need to banish myself again to the fruit bowl and vegetable draw. All four children are back at school and I am franticly teaching and writing whilst fitting in freshly cooked wholesome family dinners for the evening.
Today maybe mild outside but it’s overcast and I’m in the mood for an Italian type stew called ‘Ciambotta’. Using diced pork and potatoes as a filling staple I then add a variety of vegetables from the fridge. I change the vegetables depending on the season and also what I have available in the fridge. 
Using plum tinned tomatoes from my larder, garlic, onion , celery leaves, pork, potatoes and mushrooms, peppers or courgettes, Ciambotta is filling and improves with taste and flavour every day, so I tend to make enough to feed the whole neighbourhood and keep adding to the pot over a few days. Serve with a large basket of rustic bread for dipping. The bread is essential per fare La Scarpetta…
This recipe will be in my cookery book released 20th November this year, so I’m teasing you with a little taster of how and what I cook for my family. 
Southern Italian Family Cooking  Available from 20th November 2014.
Carmela x