Latest Posts

Blog Post Photo, Ramps
My Stories

It’s Time To Ramp It Up!

They’re back! It’s the season again for ramps aka: wild leeks. For a time I thought they only grew wild in the eastern U.S. but now I realize that they also grow Canada. Like some strong cheeses, their “fragrance” is stronger than their taste. If you can get your hands on some, maybe at Farmer’s […]

Blog Photo Post Welcoming Spring. Gathering Stinging Nettles
My Stories

Welcoming Spring with Stinging Nettles

I received a Tuscan cookbook a few years ago from my husband, who, I am sure had no ulterior motives! I’ve been reading that Italians have a thing for wild spring greens. Foraging for them like crazy. Eating only root veggies all winter gets a bit tiresome so the new wild greens are most welcome […]

Blog Post Photo, Hersham Kitchen
My Stories

So You Don’t Have The Perfect Kitchen

I certainly don’t!  And no…this is not a photo of our kitchen but it is the kitchen where I began learning to cook!  It looks pretty sad now but back in the day… Let’s talk reality. We probably won’t have the “great” kitchen unless our lotto numbers come up and we move!  My dad once told me that […]

Blog Post Photo on Gardening, Seedlings
My Stories

A Gardener’s Hope

Or, maybe it should be “a hope and a prayer”… The radish seeds I planted are up as of yesterday!  So I’m feeling pretty positive! I’ve been thinking about the planting of seeds lately. It seems to me that gardeners are people whose  wine glasses are half full and are people full of hope for […]

Blog Post Photo, Cover of First Italian Cookbook
My Stories

You’ve Come a Long Way Baby!

I have been totally consumed by recipe searches and cooking for a very long time! Except for a time out to get my Interior Decorating Diploma, something I’d wanted to do since I was in high school, my passion for cooking has always been at the fore. The baking thing all started when I was […]

Homemade Whole Wheat Buttermilk Biscuits
My Stories

Baking Powder Biscuits

Or what every child should be taught to make! I was in grade 7 taking Home Ec when I made them for the first time.  At the time I’d never have guessed in a million years how to make biscuits would become in my repertoire.  That simple recipe has served both myself and many others well […]

Basket with Homegrown Italian Plum Tomatoes & Cod With Tomatoes & Tomato Mozz. Police
My Stories

Tomato Fresh Mozzarella Salad Police

I may have mentioned in my writings that I adore tomatoes!   The bounty of summer at it’s best! It’s the dead of winter now and that often brings getting together with food friends.  Recently at a get-together lunch recently where I saw on the  menu Tomato Bocconcini salad.  I could almost feel my blood pressure […]

Blog Post Photo. Recommending Victoria De Maio's Book on Travel Tips.
My Stories

Are You Travelling To Italy?

This is my very first book review and I have a great reason for that! I have a high regard for Victoria De Maio’s travel knowledge and she has written her first book, “Victoria’s Travel TipZ Italian Style” which I am delighted to recommend to you. Victoria’s humour filled personal experiences, expertise and tips make […]

Blog Post Photo, Candied fruit, Campo de Fiore, Rome, Italy
My Stories

Woes of a Modern Day Baker

Us bakers are gearing up to get baking our Christmas goodies! Aah…I can smell those mince tarts right now! Every time one of my recipes specifies candied fruit I feel so annoyed with what we have available to us here! All we can get these days, at least at retail level, are the chopped up […]