Living in Castelnuovo Berardenga now where there are two little supermarkets, fresh fish will be a good reason to go to Siena. Ottolenghi’s last book, Simple, is amazing. The ovenbaked rice with caramalized tomatoes and mackerel filet with pistachio and cardamom seem a wonderful combination. Put 500 grams of cherry tomatoes, 6 chopped garlic cloves, … More Fish on the menu
Salads, in new and traditional combinations, are colorful dishes for every season. Grind 1 teaspoon of roasted cumin seeds, ½ teaspoon of chili flakes and 1 garlic clove in a mortar. Add 3 table spoons of olive oil, the zeste and juice of 1 lime. Taste, add pepper, salt and a bit of honey. For … More Photogenic dishes
I discover some fresh pasta made of farro flour and will give it a try. Spelt is a nice alternative and is a healthy ingredient. If the fresh version is tasty I can try it myself for another occasion. Today filled squid, vongole in a tomato sauce with spelt pasta. For the filling soak 1 … More Farro or spelt pasta
Certain days pass by so quickly that it’s time to start your evening meal and you didn’t even have some proper lunch. Mix 200 grams of light ricotta with a handful of chopped parsley and basil, 4 chopped garlic cloves, pepper and salt. Spread on a rectangular puff pastry (on baking paper). Spread 2 sliced … More Just an easy day
Gerda and Herman leave tomorrow. Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely dinner in the city. Today I hope to serve them a nice meal as closure of a pleasant week together. Buy a fresh big whole sea bass (for 4p approx 1.5 kilo) without intestins. Slice 1 kilo of courgettes and 1 kilo of potatoes thinly. … More Fish day
I probably told you before, I rate supermarkets during holidays (there are worse diseases ;-)). La Spezia has a IperCoop which is huge and thus ‘a must do’. Inspired by a few recipes found online, we’ll try varieties of the local cuisine in our local kitchen. Liguria is known for focaccio, pesto genovese, and anchovies … More My passion for supermarkets
It’s still cold, but the sun is so making everything bright. The blossoms are gradually appearing. Yes, the most wonderful moment of the year, the explosion of Spring. I know, asparagus is avalable during the whole year, but the local ones taste different, are more crunchy. Green asparagus is easy to clean. Just remove the … More A simple pasta to celebrate spring
Boil 400-500 grams of potatoes for 2p until almost al dente. Slice 1 big cucumber or 2 small ones in thin slices. Put the slices on salt for 30 mins. Rinse carefully and dry. Alternate the cucumber and the sliced potatoes in an oiled oven dish. Make a mixture of 3 battered eggs, 125 ml … More Cucumber and curry, great combination!
Buy good quality chicken, with skin. Chop a handful of fresh parsley and a few mint leaves. Mix with lemon zeste. Put the herbal mixture just in between the skin and the meat of the chicken, but fold the skin back on the meat. Add pepper and salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake … More Crispy chicken and beet root couscous
Boil 400-500 grams of peeled potatoes until almost ready to eat. Drain and cool down. Prepare a crumble with old bread (or panko), 2 chopped garlic cloves, 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, basil,..), 1 table spoon of grated parmigiano, pepper, salt and 1 table spoon of olive oil. Use a flat oven … More Belgian tradition : fish or meat, potatoes and vegetables all visible on your plate!
Doc V's Healthy Kitchen 