Perfect Pastina……
I was bought up on copious amounts of Pastina. It is quick to cook and prepare and really warms up your belly on a cold winters day. Saying that, pastina is a staple ingredient in our home through the seasons.I have four children and could not wait to begin the [...]
Pasta making evening of fun….
Who needs to go out and party on a Saturday night. Not me!! Well not on the 9th of March anyway. I would much rather be making pasta with friends. I am running a Mass Pasta Making Class, similar to my Christmas Pudding Club, but completely Italian themed. Simply Pasta.I [...]
Polpo, a stylish take on Venetian cookery.
The meaning of Polpo' is octopus. For me this image depicts the most delicate of sea creatures with wild pink legs and a bulbous body. Slightly voluptuous and a little unruly in behaviour.'Polpo' is the new book by Russell Norman, a Venetian cookbook, a Venice inspired delight. Russell bares the [...]
Pasta machines…………….which are the best?
Being Italian I adore pasta, however this carb is playing havoc with my figure! In any form, fresh or dry, for breakfast, lunch or dinner, I'm not fussy. Any shape goes too, along with incredible mouthwatering and highly flavoured sauces. Making fresh pasta has to be one of the most [...]
New year, new plans for 2013…….
Here we go again, lets begin making false aspirations for the New Year. The same as I do every year, I normally am unable to get through January without everything running off track and going belly up. I will loose a stone in weight (sighs......)......., not eat too many sweet [...]
Chili hot wreath per la mia cucina………
I am not really very good at craft, from sewing, knitting or anything that really requires copious amounts of patience. I have a sewing machine, all the books, knitting needles and am still knitting my scarf I started 18 months ago. If I could eat it I may feel a [...]
Rococo, Mastering the art of chocolate……
I felt like a school girl skipping along to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. The difference was I had not won 'The Golden Ticket' but the good news was it was a gift swap arranged by Vanessa Kimbell and was to be held at the wonderful Rococo's Chocolate Factory in London!! [...]
Delicate pasta sheets pressed with herbs….
I'm Italian and a mum to four beautiful bambini, so from that statement you can see I'm passionate, (joking)! BUT, I am even more passionate about food, especially Italian food and if we are getting down to the nitty gritty, I adore and love pasta. I could eat it daily [...]
‘Galeffi Effervescente…to aid digestion, Italian style
In our house growing up there was always a jar of this delicious 'Galeffi' white fizzy crystals. A large jar with a blue cobalt lid, an elegant lady drinking a small glass. It would be sitting near the sink and in visible sight. I wonder how many of [...]
‘Limoncello & Linen Water’ by Tessa Kiros
I have an ever increasing amount of cookbooks that is continuing to grow at a rapid speed. My passion for Italian cooking is quiet overwhelming in some respects. I research, test recipes and cook more or less ever day. However, I am interviewing Tessa Kiros next week and am working [...]
Panettone per Natale……..
Christmas conjures up so many ideas in my mind. Cold sometimes snowy evenings, sharing food and drinks with friends and family, long walks with the children, giving of presents, laughing, smiling and not forgetting the overeating!!But for me, when you say Christmas I say, 'Panettone' and 'Asti'. Classy chick, that's [...]
Cookery Classes, Spring 2013, March, April & May
Come out of the winter and hop into the Spring, a very pretty, tasty and interesting time of the year. Nights are becoming lighter, buds are starting to show and it becomes a wonderful time also for food. Season changes and seasonal food becomes available too. A change of flavour [...]