Ayesha Manzil, an old Heritage mansion, sits on a hill with a close view of the warm Arabian sea. It was built by an Englishmen, who was one of the first to set up the East India Trading Office, trading spices from the port of Tellicherry. Pepper, the main sought-after commodity …
1 cup fresh tomato 1t garlic (peeled and chopped) 3 sprigs of fresh mint 1 red chili, chopped 1 green chili, chopped a pinch of sugar salt to season Mix all ingredients in a food processor, or pound together in a mortar and pestle. Add salt to taste.
The tagine is my choice of an unglazed clay pot, especially in winter. Its terracotta top and bottom create the perfect environment for developing slow-cooked flavor.Being a great fan of Morocco, I most often stick to the traditional dishes. Moroccans themselves are quite creative, but the buck stops when it …
A few years ago, our friend Moya told us a story about her Tuscan mother-in-law, who used this phrase in a sentence when her husband told a bit of gossip. She would say, “Tiramisu le calze!! Well, pick up my stockings!” Tiramisu is a rich dessert, yet light as a feather. …
Croquetas de Boniato (A great alternative to Thanksgiving sweet potato pie!) 3 cups sweet potatoes (cooked and mashed) 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup sugar 3 eggs (beaten for egg wash) 1 1/2 cups crushed almonds oil for frying Heat …
The end of October is definitely chestnut time. The air cools and the spiny balls drop to the ground when the wind blows. Its a bit of bother getting into them, but well worth it. If you find them on the ground, you can put your foot on top of …
Bearing left at the bridge, we leave the GR142 and follow the right bank of the Rio Trevelez, almost immediately crossing a stream over large slabs of smooth stone. Beyond the stream, a yellow waymark indicates a rough path that zigzags up through big bushes of retama. We follow …
Every food has a story. This morning I saw the bread from yesterday and wanted toast. I thought, “this isn’t just any toast. This is Maorizio’s rustic loaf perfect for bruschetta”. I don’t usually eat bruschetta for breakfast, but a flat of my good friend Michael’s heirloom tomatoes were staring …
I heard the cicada’s sing in the tall cottonwood trees, midday today. For them the conditions were delightful. It was a sign. There are cucumbers in the garden, as well as scallion and dill, perfect for a cool summer evening soup. It would be refreshing and fit the sunset hour. I thought, if it’s hot enough for them to sing, it’s hot enough for us to eat cool cucumber soup.
In Amalfi, we found ourselves off the beaten path and in the kitchen of a dear friend’s mother, who taught us to make a traditional Pasticciotto Napoletano,