Month: November 2018

Food: Dinner Tonight – White or Cannellini Bean Stew

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In Rome, for a mid day fuel, I searched for restaurants which served Cannellini bean stew and if they didn’t offer it, I kept on walking until I found the one place that did. Cannellini bean stew drizzled with olive oil and dusted with fresh Parmesan cheese – is probably the best meal I’ve had in Italy. Anyway, tonight, we are having cannellini bean stew in my household, and this recipe is one that sparked an interest because…1 tablespoon of tomato paste added to the beans. Which is something my mother used to do with the white bean stew she made centuries ago in her Mediterranean kitchen.   The other part I plan to do is instead of the meatballs, I will saute Italian sausage without the case in a touch of olive oil and garlic, and then add it to the bean stew. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of finally chopped Italian parsley and serve. This cuts down on time and tastes equally good.  Ingredients For meatballs 200 g (7 oz) of ground beef 100 g (3,5 oz) of fresh …

Boutique Hotel Pick – Beaverbrook Hotel, Surrey, England

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In recent years I’ve fallen in love with the English countryside, which is where I was 20 years ago, dreaming of owning a cottage in England somewhere. I suppose I’ve made full circle. You see twenty years or so ago, I was walking about a street fair in San Francisco, and I noticed a set of photographs taken by a man in a booth aiming to sell them. They were all photographs of the English countryside. I bought four, already framed, and hung them in my home as soon as I walked in through the door – vowing to myself that I needed to see England past London. Two years back, I visited a friend who’d been living there for a while, and asked her to take me around the country – since she drove and I didn’t have the guts to. And surely, the experience was worth every penny. Here’s the thing, there is nothing like seeing the English countryside in your own personal car, not so much a group tour, but at your …

Food: Dinner Tonight – Fall Salad, You Bring The Squash

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I found this recipe a few days ago, and immediately thought, why settle for roasted pumpkin as suggested in the ingredients? Instead, I prefer butternut squash or Acorn? I prefer the taste of roasted Acorn over pumpkin any day. But you are more than welcome to try any squash your heart desires.  You know, in case, like me, you are craving a light dinner tonight: Ingredients For the baked pumpkin 800 g (1.7 lb) of Mantua pumpkin or butternut squash 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon of salt Nutmeg Black pepper For the salad 100 g (3.5 oz) of rocket ⅓ cup of shaved Parmigiano Reggiano 2 tablespoons of black olives pitted 2 tablespoons of pine nuts toasted For the vinaigrette 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil 1 tablespoon of aceto balsamico 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar Zest of ½ an organic lemon grated Salt Black pepper  {more} For your reference

Tuesday Feels Like A Monday

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I took a few days off social media and all,  to take a drive down to central coast with my mother. A last-minute unplanned birthday surprise for her. I still can’t get over the smile across the face, when I told her I wanted her to come along. She packed faster than I have ever seen her do so, and got ready. It was cute. We loaded up the rental car with snacks, her making  my favorite grilled cheese sandwich, “for later, you know so you have energy to drive,” she said showing me the neatly wrapped stack of sandwiches. All I could do was laugh. She’s adorable. Aging gracefully even though she doesn’t believe it and my family adores her. On Friday, her birthday, we left at nine in the morning, and drove on 101 down south, along the way, her reading the signs and announcing the miles remaining to our destination. Noticing also, all the new developments taking shape on either side of the freeway, and the leaves turning to amber, and all …

November Floral Arrangement 101

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Those who tell you they don’t love a great floral arrangement are ones that are fibbing. Floral arrangements, no matter the occasion, bring the kind of joy that is unsurpassed. So if you need a tip or two on how to create that special or unique bouquet of flowers for the holidays – or just for the Fall season, then here are some tips to pass on as well as share with you some of my favorite arrangements:   Happiest of birthday MOM – You are truly a gem like no other and the most stable part of my life. I love you

Food: Dinner Tonight – Coq Au Vin A Try

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I’ve always considered Coq Au Vin an unobtainable recipe to follow for my kitchen. I don’t know why I freak out over French cuisine. Perhaps it’s because I appreciate the art to the point, I am intimated by it. But I was watching Leap Year for the umpteenth time last night, where there is a scene the two main characters cook up Coq Au Vin for a B&B they were forced to spend the night, after missing their train to Dublin – if you haven’t seen the film, and need a jolt of silly-funny, then select on any pay-per-view you subscribe to  – Netflix or Amazon Prime and watch it. Anyway, I am finally getting my appetite back and dish recipe is one I am going to to attempt for dinner tonight – with no substitutes – I feel too malnourished for substitution. INGREDIENTS 4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced or grated 2 tablespoons tomato paste 4 carrots, chopped 1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breasts 2 cups cremini mushrooms, sliced 1 1/2 cups dry red wine, such as Cabernet Sauvignon 1 cup low …

Lifestyle: This Could Be Me…

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The first of November! And I have to say, I am a little sad that there are only two months remaining to 2018. What and how, naturally comes to mind right about now – even though I pretend while speaking to friends and family, that I do not keep track of the small stuff. I really do. The small stuff is what the bigger picture is made of.  Think of it as a paint-by-number canvas, once filled, the result could very well become a masterpiece or a disaster, especially if you paint outside the lines. 🙂 I know, I am nuts. But did it make you think? Or laugh, or smile? If so, than I’ve done my job for today.  So, here’s to November and me wishing these could be me –  right about now? Would you or have you read this novel? I’ve added it to my November must-read list {featured image source}