Author: Yvette

Sharing Love and Laughter

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Back from a very busy ten days in Australia, visiting family and friends. What an extreme cool change from the weather here in Italy. Had a wonderful time having lunch with a couple of friends and seeing family and celebrating my nephews birthday. My Aunty made that delicious cake above, it’s called “Never fail” cake and as you see just  looks divine, and tasted even better. Hope it’s been written out for me and posted soon so I can share it with you all. Nothing surprised me more than all the wonderful new kitchen chic products available now in Australia, the range is unbelievable. I just couldn’t resist buying some new products and of course purchasing those favourites like Vegemite, Whittaker’s Bittersweet Dark Block, and Hazelnut chocolate and then being gifted with Cadbury’s Macadamia and Marble chocolate. A new product to me Pashmak persian fairy floss in rose and chocolate flavours, I feel an adventurous recipe coming up as I’ve never used this product, but my sister gave me some tips. Ward’s gelatine setting agent …

Wednesdays Word #5

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What’s better than going to the local baker,smelling the perfume of freshly baked bread, peeking firstly through the window to see all the fabulous different kinds of bread,rolls,foccacia,pizza,sweet breads, a certain indecision on exactly would to buy… …and stopped in your tracks,apart from all the different kinds of bread, what are all those  different names of the breads? It’s fine that when you walk in to the bakers,some write the names of the type of bread and the price by kilo, as that’s how bread is sold here in Italy, by the kilo, and the pointing gesture sometimes work although it’s not my style, so the learning process began of learning all the different names and the varieties of bread. Crusty on the outside,soft centered,hollow centers,which ones last only a day,which ones can be used after 2 days. This then leads me to today’s word…Tartaruga, meaning tortoise.As you can see,visually these bread rolls look like a tortoiseshell. They have a crusty outer layer and a soft center, and are easily broken into bite sized pieces, …

Wednesdays Word #4

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Well….Wednesdays Word  for today has become Thursdays Thought!!!!…Just didn’t get around to it yesterday…but here it is… Panzanella Don’t you just love the sound of this word…Pan – za – nella…I’m sure you know what this is…it’s a Summer salad made with stale bread. Traditionally from Tuscany…there are many versions of this recipe around…however I’ve changed it a little, I love the crunch…of croutons more than the soaked bread texture. This works for one day old bread, if it’s any more best go for the original recipe… Recipe: Panzanella Ingredients for 2 servings A bunch of rocket 10 basil leaves 2 garlic cloves 1 purple onion juice of 1/2 lemon salt and freshly grounded pepper 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard 5 tablespoons Olive oil 4 thick slices of bread – (ciabatta) 3 tomatoes Preparation:     This is the type of bread I used, a crusty outing with a well cooked centre…a ciabatta or cob would be great to use also. Firstly, thinly slice the red onion and soak in water and white vinegar for …

Food Bliss…

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I’m not sure what the best thing about going away is… ..is it the relaxation,48 hours away from the 8.30am-7.30pm workload, the mobile phone on silent call, or away from the kitchen sink…what I do know is that I enjoyed every minute of my stay at the  Hotel Alpenhof. We get so into our everyday routines, that the simple things and pure comforts of 3 days away from home…having someone else making the bed, serving morning coffee and dishing out fabulous meals for dinner, I was overwhelmed, ecstatic and pleasantly surprised of the home comforts while away. Hotel Alpenhof is high in it’s fine dining service, a five course meal for dinner, with just the right portions, fabulous local produce and seasonal goods.A great range of wines and clear fresh natural water. Each evening the table settings were different, red roses,white orchards and orange roses…and the meals were…well take a look for yourself… Sitting down at our table, every night entrees were waiting for us… Beef carpaccio with herbs and champignons,Variation of potatoes from the …

A getaway…

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This picturesque scene is by a lake on our way to Rasun di Sotto, located in the Anterselva Valley.Close to the Italian – Austrian borders. Surrounded by the Dolomites mountain range – a UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s simply a getaway with nature and a wonderful place to explore the adventure with nature and all it’s beauty. Our destination was for Hotel Alpenhof. The family Preindl share a truly home- country feeling in this hotel, a warm welcomed feeling as soon as you enter this magical place.They share their love of South Tyrolean tradition, and you find a mixture of mystical past and magical present facilities and decor. The original building was built in 1580,it was a farmstead, and there are still many original artifacts displayed in many corners of the hotel. Our room for the weekend…   Decorations throughout the hotel… This is one of the relaxing rooms…with a cozy stube,fireplace and cowhide chairs…   Hotel Alpenhof features a range of wellness facilities…all the more reason to visit. Sauna’s, spa’s, a sea water pool, …

Relaxation

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I’ve just spent four wonderful days relaxing with Silvano and friends in the mountains, on the Italian – Austrian border. A great getaway, staying in a Wellness Centre, spa’s, sauna’s, fine dining, visiting local spots and relaxing. The mountains are just beautiful this time of the year, and we had great weather to travel around sightseeing. I hope you can enjoy with me through this visual impact a few minutes of the serene atmosphere I felt during the last couple of days. Truly a magical atmosphere through the beauty with nature.

Mini Vacation

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Taking a mini vacation for a few days, time to revive, reflect and create. I’ll take lots of photo’s so look forward to sharing those with you all, on my return. Have a great rest of the week, and a wonderful weekend with family and friends. Take Care xx

Wednesdays Word #3

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STUZZICHINI The term stuzzichini is any type of food which can be served in mignon. Hors d’oeuvres consumed in one mouthful, maximum two bite sizes. Served prior to a buffet,party,dinner,or a happy hour after work. “Stuzzicare” refers to a little snack, when we can hold a glass in one hand, and we’re free to pick up an hors d’oeuvre in the other, usually without using a piece of cutlery. When entering a bar,here in Italy, after a certain hour…ordering a drink, stuzzichini are served free of charge. Capturing those taste buds with mouthwatering bites, however you nearly always go back and purchase another plateful. Usually a small plate with a variety of 3 or 4 stuzzichini. It’s all in the preparation,eye-catching,colourful and always tempting.The variety is unlimited and you can have fun creating your own.Stuffed meat rolls,salmon with cream cheese, stuffed capsicum strips,prosciutto stuffed with asparagus cream,zucchini strips with gorgonzola,devils on horseback,angels on horseback,rice balls,puff pastry swirls. The photo below, basil leaves,julienne carrot and fresh mozzarella… …pastry boats filled with tomato and green olives,with fresh …

Summer Tutorial

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Our Summer days are here, and how I long for blue oceans, waves and a little vacation time. Sun, sand, beaches,an Australian slogan from a sun protection campaign: slip,slop,slap always comes to mind,pebbled beaches,and shells…shells!When I see shells, my minds reflections are always of Summer. For the last few weeks I’ve had a Summer blue and white theme throughout my home…summer dinner table settings, ocean themes, and here is my shell starfish.This is my first tutorial, and wanted to share this with you my friends…time is precious I know, but if you can find an afternoon to dabble in a few things creative,this shell starfish is for you… Materials to start with,you’ll need a Styrofoam star, hot glue gun and a variety of shells,and I used neutral coloured ribbon cream and grey.   Cut a 10cm long piece of ribbon and make a loop at one point of the star with your hot glue… Proceed to cover the whole styrofoam star in a wider ribbon,winding and gluing as you go around the five points and move …