Cinnamon & lemon mini apple pies

in Desserts, Taste -

Fall baking can’t get any easier than these cinnamon & lemon mini apple pies with they buttery, fragrant filling and crunchy sweet crust.  

Cinnamon & lemon mini apple pies

Fall is probably my favourite time to bake; after a long summer, which is mostly spent devouring fresh vegetables and fruit, merely tossed with some extra virgin olive oil, fragrant herbs and crunchy nuts, when the days get darker and shorter, I truly crave time spent around the stove. And apples and pears, along with beautiful thick-skinned vegetables, provide just the right starting point for that. [READ MORE]

Nutty & crunchy baklava

in Desserts, Taste -

One of my all time favourite desserts, this nutty & crunchy baklava may take a while to prepare, but it’s sure to make your hearts beat a little faster. 

Nutty & crunchy baklava

Baklava was the first dessert I shared here. It was back when I was experimenting with almost every sweet recipe under the sun: from chocolate chip cookies and spicy buns, to seasonal cakes and fluffy muffins, I did not discriminate, I was game for it all. I had an impossible sweet tooth and was eager to try everything- both in terms of cooking and shooting alike. And, as it often happens, most of my shots and culinary efforts were all over the map. Yet, I remember that time so fondly and with some nostalgia- finding one’s voice, discovering likes and dislikes is usually not an easy process and for me, it was both very frustrating and lots of fun. [READ MORE]

Anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle

in Savoury, Taste -

This anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle is the perfect end of summer dish: colourful, delicious and comforting in spades. 

Anchovy, pea & garlic lemony tagliatelle

After a blissful, busy, creative and delicious summer, I am back in crazy, moody London, both happy and sad for my return; I am thinking back to sunny, laid back days filled with the freshest food and the longest nights; and I also can’t wait to embrace my usual routine again and for new exciting food adventures to come. [READ MORE]

Zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti

in Savoury, Taste -

This zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti is not only a delicious stunner put together in mere minutes, but also my new favourite summer pasta dish!

Zucchini & smocked trout spaghetti

My answer to the question “what’s your favourite food” is always: pasta. Pasta forever. Yet, I make it quite rarely. Part of it is because I want to enjoy it more, on special occasions- which can vary from a fancy dinner date to an utterly informal and quick one pot dish, eaten hungrily straight from the pan. Another is my inability to have a little bit of pasta; it’s never a little bit, it’s always a lot. A lot. And carbs- as much as I love them, they tend to weigh me down, so I rather favour quinoa, roast veggies and fish instead. [READ MORE]

Lemonade with lime, spearmint & honey

in Small bites, Taste -

I’ve been making this lemonade with lime, spearmint & honey for about a month now, non stop. It’s sweet and sour, fragrant and utterly addictive!

Lemonade with lime, spearmint & honey

My go-to drink in the summer is always water: cold, but not too cold, a couple tall glasses at a time. I drink lots and lots throughout the day, along with a couple short strong coffees in the morning and crispy white wine some nights. My sister often makes fills big jugs with lemon wedges, cucumber slices, handfuls of mint or basil and water and it’s the most refreshing drink ever! [READ MORE]

String beans with saffron, lemon & mustard vinaigrette

in Savoury, Taste -

Light, simple and delicious, these string beans with saffron, lemon & mustard vinaigrette are the perfect pair to any summer bbq. 

String beans with saffron & mustard vinaigrette

I’ve been in Greece for about two weeks now, hence my brief disappearance. If you’re following along here, you may have seen that the last couple of weeks have been quite the stunner. Visiting Messenia for the first time made my heart beat faster and filled my eyes with overwhelming views: deep blue sea and imposingly towering mountains, separated only by silver green olive trees, proud cypresses and the greenest rosemary shrubs as far as the eye could see. [READ MORE]

Sardine, avocado & spinach quinoa bowl

in Savoury, Taste -

I’ve been making this sardine, avocado & spinach quinoa bowl on repeat lately- it’s so quick and easy and filled with goodness and flavour!

Sardine, avocado & spinach quinoa bowl

It’s no secret I am a big fan of quick & easy meals. Sometimes, I love an elaborate meal, mostly when I’m craving lots of time spent in the kitchen, following in an almost meditating manner steps and carefully measuring and adding ingredients. Mostly though, I love dishes that are straightforward, their parts coming together almost intuitively. Like this quinoa bowl. [READ MORE]

Green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette

in Savoury, Taste -

I am a little bit obsessed with this green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette- I’ll be making it all summer long and I hope you will too.

Green pasta salad with parsley & thyme vinaigrette

Like with any good salad, it all starts with a delicious vinaigrette- which, in this case started in the same way most of my dishes begin: with a pinch of this and a dash of that, with whatever I had in hand and thoughts of how flavours and ingredients pair nicely together. The first time I made it, I had a plate of wholewheat penne and a can of tuna to play with. As simple -and frankly- as boring as it gets. [READ MORE]

Strawberry, avocado & cucumber giant couscous salad

in Savoury, Taste -

A refreshing strawberry, avocado & cucumber giant couscous salad perfect for summer days and nights, when the living is easy.

Even though it’s not entirely so, in my mind summer arrived in London about three weeks ago; since then, I’ve been in a constant state of excitement over all the beautiful late spring and early summer beauties available: crisp and refreshing cucumbers, sweet juicy strawberries and delicate fresh greens, all begging to be left as they are, merely tossed with some fragrant herbs, a squeeze of lemon, a sprinkle of salt flakes, or a dollop of thick honey or drizzle of thick golden olive oil. [READ MORE]

Food for thought

in Food for thought, Inspiration -

Happy 1st of June! Lots of Food for Thought today, along with holiday thoughts and a couple delicious summer recipes too. 

After a very full, very fulfilling week, I am so ready for the weekend! We are starting to plan our summer holiday and I could not be more excited. In the meantime, I’ll be tolerating this mad summer weather and spending the next couple of days with friends over home cooked meals and a much anticipated visit here (we’ll be doing the Mexican cocktail workshop tomorrow- stay tuned here). Here’s a few things I’ve been reading and thinking about, coveting and feeling inspired by. Hope y’all have a great end to your week. [READ MORE]