Author: Yvette

Spiral Puffed Apples

Published by

Usually there’s two or three apples left in the bottom of the fridge, well I know in my house there usually is, why not jazz them up a little and enjoy these Spiral Puffed Apples, this recipe hasn’t been adapted from anywhere..it’s original, the mixture for the centres can be made from any dried fruits or nuts…a combination of dates and hazelnut’s..apricots and macadamia….the list is endless…look inside your pantry cupboard and get creative!  Spiral Puffed Apple Recipe:Ingredients: for 2 serves  Golden Delicious Apples  4  Walnut kernels  6 Dried Cranberries  6 sultanas  1 tablespoon Cream Cheese  Brown Sugar  Puffed Pastry ( Ready made, rectangle 30cm x 30cm)  1 sheet of Puff Pastry this size covers 3 apples.  Preparation:  Pre – heat oven to 200°c  Wash, paper towel dry and core apples.  Chop finely walnuts, cranberries and sultana’s together. Combine with the cream cheese. Press firmly into the centre of the apple.   Cut a circle (glass size) of puff pastry for the bottom of the apple, then cut 1cm strips of puff pastry.  These strips of pastry …

To Market…To Market

Published by

I couldn’t resist the urge this morning to get all the housework finished early and take a look around the markets in the heart of Treviso. The weather forecast was for rain but ignoring all-weather reports I decided to take the chance and head off, with walking shoes on, camera , wallet and no room for an umbrella. I must admit today I looked like a tourist and that’s how I played the game. Arriving outside the wall, I took a brisk walk into the centre of Treviso, the markets are an open-aired market and divided into three areas…fruit and vegetables, fish and everything else.    Treviso’s markets are every Tuesday and Saturday, and are a real buzz. You can buy almost anything, clothes, shoes, belts and accessories. Fresh fish, fruit and vegetables,you can buy a cooked chicken to a new pet mouse or canary.    It was fun walking around with camera in hand, and I surely did stand out in the crowd. Everyone was happy to smile and let me take the shot, and I think I must …

Everythings coming up Roses….

Published by

This time of the year is wonderful in the garden, after a long Winter the garden has revived itself with the first warm Spring days, and the first of my roses are in full bloom. I’ve just gone outside to do a quick count and I’m surprised I’ve now planted 200 rose bushes. From ramblers,standards and shrubs, hues of pinks, yellows, whites and reds,  border beauties, beautiful beds, old-fashioned charm and carpets of colour, even a solitary rose makes a great focal point in any garden.    I’ve always had a love for roses, and I have to admit there’s many a time when I wake up,stop and smell the roses, or take a wander in the garden and talk to them with my morning coffee….they’re so hardy and after last Winters snow it’s a miracle I didn’t lose any…every time a single new bloom appears, what ever the colour pink, white or red  for me roses symbolize love.. I think everyone has received a single rose at some time of their life…remember the time you received that rose it was …

Warm salad of grilled beef ,vegetables and basil pesto

Published by

Sunday nights are usually a easy tea time treat  for me…the last thing I want to do is spend my last minutes of my weekend in the kitchen, easiest thing… heat up the grill….   Jazzing up plain beef steaks and making a delicious warm grill vegetable salad is my choice..and you’ll impress all who have the chance to try it!         Ingredients: Serving for 4   800 g  lean beef steaks : ( 2 thin steaks for each person)   Marinade    2 tablespoons dried oregano    1 tablespoon olive oil    1 clove garlic, crushed    Vegetables    1 bunch white or green asparagus    6 small artichokes    3 vines of cherry tomatoes    basil pesto    Preparation:  Mix marinade ingredients together in a bowl, add beef steaks, turning to coat thoroughly, cover with plastic wrap and leave to marinade in refrigerator for up to 30 minutes.   Preheat bbq grill to medium/ high    I used white asparagus, grilling that  first, slicing each one in half..turning continously on grill,  followed by the artichokes,( I pre-steam mine for about 8 mins).    Next grill the beef, around 2 minutes each side – or until …

View from a bridge…Bassano Del Grappa

Published by

After a week of rain and thunderstorms, today was truly a Spring day,we decided to take a 50km drive to a beautiful place called Bassano Del Grappa. It’s not my first visit, we’ve shown visiting friends this special place before, leaving them and myself fond memories…amazing views of Mount Grappa and the Valsugana Valley. The symbol of this historical town is the old bridge -Ponte Vecchio, with it’s grand appearance and construction of wood, it’s visited by tourists everyday..and today was no different. While walking across the bridge you have views of the Valsugana Valley and the Brenta river.The bridge was a vital means of communications between territories of Vicenza and Bassano. It’s been destroyed more than once, during war time and also violent flooding, however has been rebuilt exactly as it’s original design. We visited today the tavern “Taverna Al Ponte” otherwise known as the “Taverna degli Alpini” which is at the eastern entrance..downstairs is the Italian Alpine Troops Museum..a fascinating look at memorabilia from both world wars. Here’s a view from one of …