Crostata ai fichi: An Italian friend once told me there are certain things you just don’t buy. One of them is tomatoes and another is figs. No matter where in Italy you live, some friend or neighbour will be growing them in their garden, and at this time of year people happily swap, or give […]
Crostata ai fichi: Fig tart Read More »
This is an incredible time of year, with fruit and vegetables seeming to come into season with the frequency of trains arriving at Santa Maria Novella station in Florence. This week, it’s the turn of cherries. I have two small cherry trees at La Madera which yielded enough fruit for a cake, but a friend
Torta alle ciliegie: Cherry cake (recipe) Read More »
A morning baking and an afternoon exploring one of the most beautiful small towns in Tuscany. What better way to spend a Sunday?
Crostata di Fragole: Strawberry Tart Read More »
Centuries ago, the Sicilians developed a way of packaging sunshine and transporting it to the colder north of Italy. They created burnished yellow balls, pregnant with the zest of the south and as sharp as the rays of the midday sun. I’m talking, of course, about lemons.
Zuccotto al limone … della Robbia on a plate! Read More »
In the 1970s and 80s my parents seldom went to a restaurant alone, but usually took my brother and me along. For an Italian family, there was nothing unusual in this, but we were an Italian family living in England, so I will always feel lucky for the way that my parents included us. In
Crostate di mele … why apples are no longer forbidden fruit Read More »
