MILK PUDDINGS WITH ROSE SYRUP Pure & simple. I add a few red or pink rose petals & a couple of dried hibiscus flowers to add a tinge of pink to the syrup – the syrup has to have some colour to it. The rosewater is quite gentle here – add a […]

     LUCKY COIN CAKE This is the Vasilopita I make lately. Our Greek New Years cake – that holds the lucky coin well, and everyone loves it. Whoever gets the coin in their slice has a lucky year ahead. We make it every New Year’s Eve and have it first thing on New Year’s […]

      PUMPKIN GNOCCHI My family made these from my book on Venice ‘Venezia’ – Pumpkin gnocchi with sage butter They used a delica pumpkin. If you make this, choose a nice, sweet & bright orange one. There is no potato here- pumpkin & just enough flour to hold it together so you can […]

      CARROT CAKE This is my mom’s friend Annettes’ wonderful carrot cake – & in my book ‘Falling Cloudberries’. You can substitute the cake flour for another flour such as teff. Serves 10 or more 4 eggs, lightly beaten 250g (2 cups) sugar 185 ml (¾ cup) sunflower or light olive oil 300g […]

      FISH IN A BOTTLE The wonderful thing here ~ is the no smell of fish anywhere in the house. The recipe is from my book ‘Limoncello & Linen Water’. The fish is cooked in preserving jars with watertight lids, that can even be simmering away amongst your jam jars. Serves 4 4 […]

      SGROPPINO – LEMON CHILL This recipe is from my book ‘Venezia’. Sgroppino is a wonderful refreshing lemon ice cream/ prosecco/vodka whizz – often served in a glass as a drink or palate cleanser – but fantastic for dessert. I like to serve it after lunch & have kept the alcohol amounts quite […]

      SPAGHETTI CON VONGOLE E CALAMARI I like the addition of calamari to a classic recipe. The timing is important here – the calamari must be tender, & you need the seafood cooking while you par-cook the spaghetti. Then they can be tossed together at the right moment & the spaghetti can finish […]

      CHOCOLATE CAKE FROM GUADELOUPE I had many lovely cakes in Guadeloupe – one on a chocolate plantation, which you could tell was made with cocoa butter & the chocolate logs for grating that you find there. There were also several other inspiring, tall chocolate cakes ready-cut into pieces for buying to eat […]

      PINEAPPLE CAKE This recipe is from my book ‘Piri piri Starfish’. It is a very popular cake in Portugal – great for breakfast or afternoon tea. I had this very often on the island of San Miguel in the Azores – with their lovely pineapples. Make sure the pineapple you use is […]

      SUSPIROS – SIGHS Meringues are everywhere in Portugal. You can make them & have them plain, or more dressed up as this lovely, simple dessert here. Keep the egg yolks for making pasteis de nata. Makes many 4 egg whites, at room temperature a good pinch of salt 225g (1 cup) caster […]