In Cucina... In The Kitchen...

My kitchen is so much smaller than my previous one... but it's OK.  The main obstacle is only having one oven,  so timing is so important if I am baking an entree,  and bread or focaccia... It doesn't stop me from doing what I love most ,  and I have been doing a lot of cooking and baking.   Whether for a special get together,  a special request from Priscilla (Beef Wellington) or just because...

Piaceri Invernali... Winter Pleasures...

No mater how happy I may be to start fresh in the New Year... there is always that little bit of wondering... what to do now.  Now,  during this time of not much going on.  We have had an amazing amount of rain,  which is fantastic,  but in between storms,  it feels a little  like springtime.  A little gardening is always in order and just a little crafting too... and always ,  cooking and baking.  I loved my little Christmas Wreaths on my mirrors so much that I decided to keep them,  but take the Christmas look away... so,  I ended up with little green wreaths,  with a  little bit  of purple,  as that is my color of choice this "winter" ( using that term lightly).  Sparkly Succulents in favorite tea cups add a little garden to my kitchen window.  Priscilla's favorite  Double Chocolate Bark turned into a tart,  a  Lovely Strawberry,  Mascarpone Tart with Chocolate Ganache Drizzle and a Buttery Cookie Crust,  and some adorable Teeny-Weenie sugar cookies... Focaccia,  a regular part of my cooking repertoire along with a Marinated Eggplant and Mozzarella Salad with a fresh Baguette...That should keep the winter doldrums away...

 

Quasi Autunno… Almost Autumn…

Autumn is almost here,  and hopefully our hot humid weather,  which can give us spectacular sunsets,   will give way to cooler temperatures to go along with the subtle changes that  let me know that Fall is near.  In the garden,  the pumpkin plants are big,  the pumpkins however,   are still small… I will keep my fingers crossed,  meanwhile,  in the kitchen,  the flavors of Autumn are beginning to show up… fruits that remind me of the new season… Poached Pear Dumplings,  A Rustic tart with my Fig Jam and Pears,  with Cream Cheese,  and topped with a buttery crumble,  and  Chicken Cacciatore,  just like dad taught me to make at the restaurant… made into a pot pie.  Comfort foods …

Dolci … Sweets…

Espaliered Apple Trees and Mini Apple Pies for two...

The Apple Espaliers are happy and full of fruit.   It doesn't feel like Apple Pie or Apple Tart time to me , but,  oh well... I made Mini Apple Pies and a Ricotta Tart with Apples and Thyme...