a bit of basque

a simple but delicious recipe and, best of all, it can all be cooked in one pot, perfect for entertaining. want wine (and who doesn't?) try this - las rocas from calatayud, spain, a real good wine for not a lot of dosh. enjoy.

get recipe from delia

city of angels

the city of fallen angels by john berendt (penguin)

brilliant book and it's non-fiction but as gripping as a novel. it starts around the time the famous opera house Il Fenice burns down, Berendt coincidentally arrives in Venice a few days after and is soon following the story along with the rest of Venice. it's a fascinating insight into Venetian culture, personality and many characters along the way.

Berendt is the author of midnight in the garden of good and evil, which if you haven't read then go out immediately and do so (and buy this one too). it was a finalist for the Pulitzer and was made into a movie, if anyone has a few million i would snap up the rights to his new one now!


john berendt
save venice
acqua alta
gran teatro la fenice
fire

just can't stop..

once you get onto a theme, you just can't stop. try these, they are yummy. note to husband, might have to buy your own!

mmmmmm

no need for words. enjoy.

just a bite

here's a new recipe we tried last night, taken from the low GI diet cookbook by dr j. brand-miller et al. not only very enjoyable but easy and fast to make.

smoked salmon and dill with pasta salad
this should apparently serve 4-6 people, yeah, only if they're not hungry ones

9 oz penne pasta
5 1/4 oz smoked salmon, cut into strips
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
6 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal (green onions i think)
1 small red onion, cut into thin rings
1 cup low-fat natural yogurt

dressing:
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 scallions, finely sliced
juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 cup chopped dill
freshly ground black pepper

1. to make the dressing, combine the oil, scallions, lemon juice and dill in a food processor and puree until smooth. season with pepper. (i didn't use a food processor, as i don't have one, it's not necessary).

2. cook the pasta in plenty of boiling water until al dente. drain and rinse under cold running water until cool. drain well and place in a serving dish. pour over the dressing, then add the smoked salmon, tomatoes, scallion and onion rings. toss gently to coat the pasta in the dressing. serve with a dollop of yogurt.