Today has been one of those relaxing Sundays, even time to ponder in the garden. With inquisitive hands and eyes, these caterpillars were discovered munching on lemon leaves in the garden. A look at nature and it’s cycles of life. And here’s what all the fuss was about! Read on …
You’re in control!!. Stuck on the roof of your mouth. Chocolate chip flavour. Cocoa boosted.A crunchy baked outside coating but wait…. …an irresistible melting soft fudgy centre.It’s a tongue twisting, deliciously breathtaking experience, of pure indulgence, all combined to make this mouthwatering chocolate chip cookie one of the best I have ever tried. I’m having some quality time with my sister and her family. I’m experiencing a world I have never ventured into. The world of motherhood. Can it really be this exhausting! I’m loving every minute of it. Every day is a new adventure into the world of 6 and 8 year olds.Can there be this much competition at a young age! A wonderland of play, a kaleidoscope of colours… Making and baking things have strung a new string in my creative mind. What to make for the first day of school, lunch box treats? The shiny new lunch box is filled with fruit,crackers,cheese,sandwiches(healthy) and of course that energy boosting sugar plus delight. Here’s the favourite of my niece and nephews taste buds…. Chocolate …
It’s hard to believe that today we’ve had a first snow fall and it’s November. Bitterly cold winds and temperatures and yes…snow. Thank goodness not enough to make a snowman, but enough to send us in a quiet frenzy of carefulness and patience on the roads. I love the snow, the clean crispness of the garden covered in all it’s whiteness. I took these photo’s last week, just as the sun was breaking through a cloudy foggy morning. Just a little ray of sunshine! To start another day…. Yvette..x
Do we ever get the time to sit still and relax? Do the things we love, find the time for comfort and happiness…I always seem to return behind the camera and capture the moment, the mood and the feeling of the day,somehow reflecting the inner me. Find the time to look at nature and all her splendor! Yvette…x
What a whirlwind of a week. I haven’t had much time on here and with my last post well over a week ago, I have some serious catching up to do. I haven’t had extra time to make the finer things, like planned desserts, but this grilled ratatouille was superb with grilled steak. Fennel,zucchini,red and yellow peppers,and eggplant make up this delicious combination. Cut vegetables into large pieces and place on grill. Nothing hard about that, this dish is all in the presentation…after you’ve grilled the vegetables slice into thin strips, leaving the fennel in slices … Arrange in orderly fashion, first the fennel then zucchini and eggplant and finally the colourful red and yellow peppers. And here’s my homemade delicious dressing: 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 3 tablespoons olive oil zest and juice of 1 lemon freshly ground pepper 6 capers 2 anchovies sliced black olives sprinkle of pine nuts Finely chop the anchovies and capers and place in mixing jar. Add balsamic vinegar,olive oil, zest and lemon juice,black pepper and mix well.Pour …
This month’s fruit in full season are pears. Delicious, good for you and a whole lot of nutrition in a sweet juicy package.A good source of vitamin C, fiber and only 100 calories (raw) per serving. Sodium free, fat free, and cholesterol free. This particular variety I used for this recipe was the Concorde pear,they’re a golden yellow, green colour and great for any type of cooking and baking. They’re firm in texture with a delicate vanilla taste. When cut they don’t turn brown so are great added to fresh salads and when cooked at high temperatures don’t disintegrate into a sugary mass. I really should have made this recipe long before now, I can’t remember an easier dessert with a fantastic visual impact, and I assure you one to try. A delicious mouthful of syrupy sweet pear and prunes on a delicate crust of puff pastry, light and flaky… Read on for the recipe…
A corner, an entrance, a table setting, what ever it may be just a hint of inspiration,changes the look of our homes interior, and with the changing mood we move on through the year (and isn’t it passing quickly). Autumn is a spectacular season,with it’s changing colours of reds,yellows and oranges,I’ve only put a hint of it in my home.With this hallway display of coloured berries from the garden and a pumpkin sitting in a birds nest garland. However as it’s nearly Halloween,and the end of another month, I wanted to add a little spook to the display. Halloween isn’t really celebrated here in Italy, although we have been invited to a Halloween dinner with my American girlfriend this year. If you’re looking for a little spook why not grab this idea, Happy Haunting Bunting by Moselle. I printed out the motifs free, printed them on to Ivory parchment paper, drew a black pen border around each letter them glued them to kitchen twine,and as you can see a real treat to the eye. A …
What better way to get everyone together for that morning coffee with a freshly made oatmeal crunchy cookie,with succulent bits of cranberries. There’s something about the atmosphere of that warming fire in the family room, the cooler mornings and the sweet smell of baking in the kitchen. Having the day to myself I had a few household things to do…and do just that some baking…
Cupcakes have been around for age’s, I think everyone has tried one recipe or another. I have to admit this is my first. I wanted to make something a little different for a dessert,not too sweet, chocolate, fresh and satisfying. And so that’s how I arrived at this special treat. Chocolate and mint has always been a great combination. Table Eights- After Dinner Mint has always been a decadent finish to a dinner party, so enjoy my after dinner mint cupcake. Finding a recipe for a quick chocolate cupcake wasn’t too difficult…I decided on this one bowl recipe, I can see why cupcakes are a quick choice for many home making cooks, preparation time was a whizz, cooking time was quick, no cleaning of tins, and definitely a buzz whipping these things up. I however, didn’t want the normal look of a cupcake,(cake and frostinf) it wasn’t for afternoon tea,but an after dinner dessert. So knowing how delicious our gelato (ice-cream) is I put together this combo. Read on for the recipe…
Chilies are everywhere at the moment…sweet,hot,and fiery, couldn’t resist making a sweet chili sauce…not too hot, with just enough kick to spice things up… I used both red and orange hot peppers, so the sauce wasn’t a rich red colour,however tastes delicious just the same…
Yvette's Twistedvines 