Torta glassata alla lemon curd

Published by Candida, on 17 giugno 2014 in Chiacchiere/Chatting, Dolci and Ricette in Italiano. 7 Comments Tags: , .

  Sarà femminile o maschile la lemon curd? Mah, io la sento femminile (chissà perché, analogia con marmellata, crema ecc. oppure per quel tanto di acido che finisce sempre in dolce??).

Comunque dopo un po’ di assenza (vacanze, eh, finite!),  dopo tutti i cibi salutari postati da Lucina, dopo un risotto italiano preso da un libro inglese e cucinato da una signora inglese, sarà anche ora di una bella torta inglesizzante cucinata e italianizzata da me. Viene da un vecchio libro di Delia, fattami conoscere, come al solito da Lucina, tanto tanto tempo fa, Delia Smith’s Winter Collection. Sarà anche winter collection, ma la torta va benissimo anche per l’estate. Niente Lauma nella foto, purtroppo, perché l’avevo fatta parecchio tempo fa ed era lì che aspettava di essere postata. Come si vede, io ho fatto troppa poca glassa. E buonissima anche così, ma io aumenterei le dosi della glassa per un migliore effetto. Continue reading ‘Torta glassata alla lemon curd’

Lentil and mushroom curry

Published by Lucina, on 12 giugno 2014 in Cucina regionale, English Recipes, vegetables, vegetarian and Verdure. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

lentil and mushroom curry

The idea to make this wholesome curry came from my son Tom, who, just like his mother, enjoys experimenting in the kitchen. We often swap ideas and recipes over the phone. I kind of made up this recipe as I went along: I looked at what ingredients I had available and used them so I’m sure you can alter/adapt/add. It’s a very simple dish to make and surprisingly tasty.  It was even nicer the following day. I served it with a home made naan (see recipe here) as you can see from the picture.  By the way I have effectively become vegetarian. I  still eat meat when I go to people’s houses , etc. but I have stopped buying it. I only buy fish. I’m sure I’ll be all the better for it. Anyway, the point is that I have to make sure to eat a balanced diet which doesn’t mean a slice of cake in both hands. 😉 That’s why I like eating pulses: they are a good source of proteins , they are  cheap, low-fat and also contain precious fibre, vitamins and minerals. What more can we want? Continue reading ‘Lentil and mushroom curry’

Asparagus, broad beans and herbs risotto

Published by Lucina, on 1 giugno 2014 in English Recipes, Primi, rice and vegetarian. 1 Comment Tags: , , , , .

broad beans, asparagus and herbs risotto

This delicious risotto was made by my dear friend (and chemo buddy) Cairine who took pity on my broken leg (and on the fact I was home alone for the week ) and invited me over for dinner. What you must know is that cooking is not her forte (or so she says. I am beginning to doubt it, to be honest) so she was feeling slightly terrified at the prospect of cooking her favourite risotto to an Italian person  who, on top of that, runs a blog. But she needn’t be, as it was simply delicious! AND she used her iron cast pot (see photo below)! I helped her to stir it and to add the stock but she did it all on her own. The proof I really enjoyed it is that it’s now on my blog. So well done Cairine and thank you for the inspiration!! I’ll definitely make it again! By the way the recipe comes from the Riverford organic farm website. Continue reading ‘Asparagus, broad beans and herbs risotto’

Pseudo panzanella di avocado e melone

Published by Candida, on 24 maggio 2014 in Antipasti, sfizi, finger food..., Chiacchiere/Chatting, Ricette in Italiano, salad and vegetarian. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Capita di non essere a casa, di vivere qualche giorno alla settimana  da soli in un piccolo appartamento da studente. Mangi panini o insalate al bar ecc. Questa è una alternativa veloce e sana che aiuta a smaltire l’inevitabile pane avanzato. Quasi ho pudore a postarla tanto è scontata, ma magari serve da promemoria a qualcuno.

Continue reading ‘Pseudo panzanella di avocado e melone’

An experiment with bread: the iron pot!

Published by Lucina, on 20 maggio 2014 in bread and English Recipes. 9 Comments Tags: , .

bread in the iron pot

Hello everyone! Let me share with you this novel way of cooking bread: using an iron cast pot. I never knew about this method until I accidentally stumbled upon a recipe last week. Well, I never! Cooking bread in a pot? With a lid on? I was intrigued…. As it happens I do possess an iron cast pot by Le Creuset (which hardly ever sees the light of day) so what better way of putting it to good use? As you know I LOVE bread and I have been baking my own for months now. I am getting rather good at it, modestly speaking, but I’m still looking for new ideas all the time. This particular method is truly great as you end up with a lovely crusty loaf which is crispy on the outside and lovely and soft on the inside. I’ve never quite achieved this level of perfection before. Before I made this loaf I was worried it would stick to the pot but no: it just lifted out leaving the pot absolutely clean. I followed James Morton’s technique (the Scottish young guy who was in the Big Bake off programme). Apparently he loves cooking bread using iron pots. And if it’s good for James it’s good for me! Continue reading ‘An experiment with bread: the iron pot!’

Fettuccine with cherry tomatoes and asparagus

Published by Lucina, on 12 maggio 2014 in English Recipes, pasta, Primi and vegetarian. 2 Comments Tags: , .

fettuccine with asparagus and cherry tomatoes

First of all a warm welcome to Lauma, Tomik’s younger sister, making her first appearance on the blog (see previous recipe blogged by Candi) ! Aren’t they cute these two little cats! :-) Well folks, let me be honest here. It ain’t a bundle of fun to break one’s leg, I tell you! Apart from the boredom of being confined in the house,  even the simplest of tasks become a massive chore…cooking being one of them. At present my husband has been given the title of honourary chef, or should I say commis chef: I instruct, he cooks. Obviously I have to choose very simple and straightforward things or he wouldn’t be so cooperative. Anyway the other day we made this quick and healthy pasta dish together. I found this recipe in a book  called The Low-Gi vegetarian cookbook by Rose Elliot.  I adapted the recipe slightly by adding  to the past some olive oil which had been infused with garlic and a bit of chilli. Purely because the first time I made it  I thought it was slightly bland. Anyway, this is healthy, quick and easy. Recommended for anyone in a hurry. Continue reading ‘Fettuccine with cherry tomatoes and asparagus’

Pudding (caldo o freddo) agli agrumi

Published by Candida, on 6 maggio 2014 in Dolci and Ricette in Italiano. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Oggi fa la sua grande entrée Lauma, la sorella di Tomik, arrivata con Lucina dall’Inghilterra. Poverina, è un po’ tristarella perché il pudding sformato è appunto sformato. Non è proprio venuto benissimo. Forse avrei dovuto usare uno stampo di pirex e servirlo da lì, senza rovesciarlo. La ricetta viene, un po’ modificata, da Delia Smith e dal suo libro Winter Collection che Lucina mi regalò una vita fa. Se lo si mangia caldo è una sorta di soufflè bello aeroso, freddo invece ha la consistenza di un budino deliziosamente acidulo. Continue reading ‘Pudding (caldo o freddo) agli agrumi’

Baked stuffed aubergines

Published by Lucina, on 1 maggio 2014 in English Recipes, vegetables and vegetarian. 2 Comments Tags: , , , .

baked stuffed aubergines

First of May and it is tanking it down here in England!! :-( Well…Hello everyone and sorry for the silence of these past few weeks but firstly I went on holiday during the Easter break so had no internet access and secondly I managed to break my leg on the first day back at work hence I’ve been out of action. In truth, I still am as my leg is in a plaster cast but  at least I finally managed to hobble to the computer. Just BEFORE the accident I cooked this really nice vegetarian dish from the Two greedy Italians cookery book (slightly adapted). I love aubergines and was impressed as to how nice this particular dish was. Really quite delicious (taste wise it reminded me of melanzane alla parmigiana) and not too complicated either. It was really tasty. Definitely one I’ll make again. Continue reading ‘Baked stuffed aubergines’

Tomik is one!!!

Published by Lucina, on 14 aprile 2014 in bread and Chiacchiere/Chatting. 2 Comments

my beloved Tomik- ONE today!!!!

Tomik , for those who don’t know, is the name I gave my beloved sourdough. And today it’s his first birthday!  I did look for a suitable birthday card to give it but haven’t been able to find one specifically for sourdoughs, despite the fact here in England they seem to have a card for any occasion! :-) Seriously, who would have believed it, when I “gave birth” to my beloved Tomik a year ago (read here) , that 12 months later it would still be alive? Not me! Well…I nurtured it and fed it , just like a real mum would, and today it is as happy as anything, as you can see from the picture. So…has it all been worthwhile? Well, of course! I have experimented with it and baked many loaves using it. All generally successful, I haste to add. I also always put a small amount of it in any bread I make using normal yeast. It’s supposed to improve the texture. And that’s the other thing: I hardly ever buy bread from the supermarket these days. I have got into the routine of making my own. I’d urge anyone to have a go at baking bread. As well as being a relaxing activity it’s also a lot healthier as you know exactly what’s in it.

Torta di mele, mandorle e pistacchi gluten free

Published by Candida, on 9 aprile 2014 in cakes, Dolci and Ricette in Italiano. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

Le mie torte preferite sono quelle che posso fare tutto nel mixer. Eccone una per giunta gluten free. Chissà mai che abbiate qualche ospite celiaco o con qualche intolleranza. Ci sono tante uova, ma è una torta quasi senza grassi (a parte quelli delle mandorle o dei pistacchi). Io l’ho dovuta fare anche il giorno dopo perché è stata spazzata via in un lampo. Continue reading ‘Torta di mele, mandorle e pistacchi gluten free’