Food for thought

in Inspiration -

This food for thought celebrates Oliveology, great couples, pretty plants and Athens’ perpetual allure. Oh, and banana bread too!

Yesterday, I had the privilege to take part in an Oliveology cooking workshop, in partnership with Pan London. The couple hours we spent at the Cookhouse in Borough Market, just above the shop, were pure joy; in company of a group of lovely ladies, enthusiastic and curious about food, under the discreet guidance of Marianna (the driving force behind the brand) and Despoina (chef extraordinaire and sharer of delicious little secrets) and the rest of their team. We cooked and tasted delicious food (a split pea dip, a sweet and a savoury pie and two versions of an egg and tomato dish), drank exquisite wine, tasted a range of the delicious products available in the store, learned tips and shared stories. And for a couple hours, I really felt both like I was home and very very homesick. I’ll be sharing more on Oliveology soon- in the meantime, have an ace weekend. [READ MORE]

Feta, thyme & pistachio scones

in Savoury, Taste -

Flaky, buttery and aromatic, these feta, thyme & pistachio scones are perfect on their own, or served with a spicy yogurt and a mild, fruity chutney.

Feta, thyme & pistachio scones

Quite a long while ago, while discussing American biscuits, I elaborately and somewhat clumsily confessed my love for scones. Since then, my passion has turned into a deep affection, one that I have for not too many dishes and foods. There’s comfort there and bittersweet memories, there’s lots of crumbs and an aftertaste which is always sweet and always lingers a little while. [READ MORE]

Happy Mother’s Day!

in Desserts, Inspiration -

Six delicious desserts to celebrate Mother’s Day: from the most chocolatey cake, to strawberries & cream and a hell of a banana bread. Happy Mother’s Day! 

I really am quite oblivious when it comes to all the ‘days’ celebrated throughout the year- apart from two: Mother’s & Father’s Day. I suspect that the reason I pay that much attention to them is stark evidence of how much I miss my parents. And I do, I really do, so very much, in such different ways. My mom is a stunning ball of energy that seems to excel in everything she does, in an understated, quiet and yet powerful manner. Her embrace is literally the safest place in the world for me (still, regardless of everything), her glance is a raffish little pool of the softest blue and her loud, exuberant laugh one of my favourite sounds in the world. She inspires and drives my sister and me crazy- both in equal measures, both seemingly every single day. And every single day, I also miss her and love her. So very much… [READ MORE]

Espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache

in Desserts, Taste -

Soft and lightly sweet, this espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache is discreetly fragrant and perfect when paired with more coffee. 

Espresso loaf with cinnamon dark chocolate ganache

One of the greatest pleasures of my day- in fact, the very first of them all- is coffee. Black, mildly strong and hot, sipped slowly while I gaze out the window or read the news. The house and streets outside are quiet, usually dark and all to myself. This serenity and that delicious first cup of coffee are sheer pleasure, a gift of sorts which I still don’t dare take for granted. [READ MORE]

Food for thought

in Food for thought, Inspiration -

Friday’s food for thought with ice cold coffee, the best banana bread, the art of street photography and the charm of a good old t-shirt. 

food for thought

This short week seemed to go down a treat. The days were predominantly filled with books (I just started this and find it very hard to put down, despite its size), lots of cake testing and exceptionally bad weather (come on, London! It’s May!). And as such, they were quite ordinary, yet with moments of unexpected beauty and bursts of slightly mad inspiration. The weekend is still up in the air and I’d very much like it to stay this way. As long as there’s cake and more of these fleeting jolts of bliss, it’s all good. [READ MORE]

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

in Savoury, Taste -

Perfect for this time of year, this asparagus & tuna pasta salad is colourful, delicious and irresistibly light- it’s an ideal lunch or dinner for spring.

Asparagus & tuna pasta salad

It seems like every year, I am somehow oblivious to the infinite charms of asparagi. Autumn passes and then winter too and I never think about them, nor do I miss them. And then spring arrives, irresistible and thirsty, bearing gifts of almost unbearable beauty: berries and crunchy cucumbers, delicate greens and, always seemingly to my surprise, asparagus. A little crusty, yet delicate too, requiring so very little and giving back so very much. [READ MORE]

Food for thought

in Food for thought, Inspiration -

Food for thought: yes to eggs for dinner, mixing spices and citrus cocktails, Georgia O’Keeffe, healthy plants, berry cakes & cookies. 

food for thought

Compared to last week, which seemed to move like a lazy, annoyed, unmotivated slug, this was a hell of a ride. It was busy and fast, with lots of ups and some downs too; rewarding yet filled with anxiety and tension and two grand highlights: a few successful recipe experimentations (which I will be sharing in the following weeks) and On The Waterfront (which left me with significant crushes on both Brando and Saint). I am ready for the weekend, which will be spent without Mike but with visiting friends and a much needed ladies night in. Have a good one, y’all! [READ MORE]

Blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake

in Desserts, Taste -

This blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake is exactly how I love a cake to be: simple, sweet, delicious, maybe a little messy and oh so satisfying. 

Blueberry, lemon & pine nut cake

I don’t remember when exactly, but somewhere along this weekend, it dawned on me how long it’s been since I last made a cake. I’ve spent the better part of the weeks leading up to Easter trying to make tsoureki and failing spectacularly, time after time. I was left with more flat, dense, delicious yet overall miserable looking sweet breads than I knew what to do with. I was also left with an overwhelming desire not to make a dessert for quite some time- enough for my bruised pride to heal and all of me to stay away from sugar and butter and all them beautiful things I had been struggling with. [READ MORE]

Food for thought

in Inspiration -

Food for thought today is the heartbreaking beauty of adolescence, the magic of Harper Lee, outdoor cinemas and spicy breakfast eggs.

food for thought

The week after a holiday, no matter how short or long, how far or not at all, is always difficult. I struggle to get my bearings and stubbornly resist to succumb to any form of organised schedule. Yet, somehow, the week is almost passed- we’ve made it, almost to the other side. There’s so much left to be done, there should be very little rest on the weekend. But still, it’s the weekend, and we’ve almost made it unscathed and these two alone are perfect reasons to celebrate. Have a good one y’all! [READ MORE]

Potato salad

in Savoury, Taste -

A light potato salad with cappers, spring onions and a creamy, lemony yogurt sauce- it’s the perfect way to use those perky spring baby potatoes. 

Potato salad

Sweet, restless, raffish spring is here, with all its colours, moody weather, all the smells and overwhelming desires and at times melancholy it often brings along. It’s here, with all its pretty ingredients, delicate and unassuming, bright and almost festive. Of those, the ones I almost never notice are new potatoes, the somewhat kings and queens of April harvest. [READ MORE]