‘Ottolenghi’ is a must in the library of passionate hobby cooks. The salad with aubergines and a dressing based on saffron is so delicious that I could eat it every week. Start with the dressing. Leave a pinch of saffron in 3 table spoons of hot water for 5 mins at least. Add 180 grams … More Beautiful colors after a wonderful day in the sun.
What do we have left in the fridge : 300 grams of mushrooms, 400 grams of spinach, 2 tomatoes (never keep tomatoes in the fridge!), a square puff pastry, 1 mozzarella and some rocket salad. For 3p blanch and drain 400 grams of spinach. Try to remove all the liquid. Chop 1 red onion, 3 … More No waste- day
Normally I am not a fan of soup as main course but sometimes it is a very easy way to be sure to have a warm meal after a long day out. For 3p bake 600 grams of chicken, seasoned with chicken herbs, in olive oil. When crispy, remove the chicken. Fry 2 chopped large … More Parmesan chicken soup
Start with a Bagna Cauda which probably has many variations. Perfect for sharing. In Torino we tasted the first real bagna cauda which is a dish filled with raw (or sometimes slightly cooked) vegetables and a warm sauce based on anchovies. Since then I serve it regularly as appetizer-first course for wider audience. Try to … More Can it be more italian?
Although tomatoes are not yet at their best, I have the impression that the tomatoes here in Italy have a better taste than the ones which you find in Belgian supermarkets. Peter Gordon’s book, ‘Sensational salads’, inspires for this beautiful dish. Prepare a dressing with 300 grams of a ripe mango, 1 small garlic clove, … More Burrata and tomato, what a couple!
My first experience (a few years ago) preparing gnocchi was not very succesful and ended up as a puree in the oven! Since then I hesitate to make them, and that is probably silly. The gnocchi romana are different because they are not supposed to be cooked in water but to be baked in the … More Gnocchi adventure 😉
Spanakopita (or whatever own name you give it) is a superb Greek dish which you can prepare in a small version as appetizer or in a bigger version as a main course. As a main course for 4p start with 1kg of spinach. Blanch fresh spinach shortly in salted water (or defrost frozen spinach). Leave … More Let’s pretend we are on a Greek island…
Tuscany has many thermal resorts. Rapolano Terme is half an hour from Siena. You smell the sulfur kilometers away from your destination. http://www.termesangiovanni.it/it/home After my visit I am supposed to leave as a different person (that photo you can surely discover in the next local ‘Vogue’ or similar magazine), but the menu for today will … More Completely relaxed after a visit to Rapolano Terme
The italian version of an Indonesian recipe (or is it the Belgian version?) is a delicious way to use a lot of Italian ingredients in a different way. For 2p boil 120grams of basmati rice. Chop 2 garlic cloves, 1 small onion, 1 spicy little pepper. Fry in 2 table spoons of peanut oil in … More Nasi goreng
I am ready for long evenings outside, and so is our terrace. But maybe 9° is still a bit too chilly… Anyway I probably used muscles which I didn’t train yet, and I feel it, and tomorrow I am sure, even more. The menu of today respects my sore body. Slice 600 grams of courgettes … More Painful gardening, easy recipe 😉
Doc V's Healthy Kitchen 