When I was in Tuscany, I couldn't resist ordering bread soup made with slightly stale, but wonderful Italian bread. The bread in Northern Italy is slightly spongy which gives it a unique flavor. My travels there inspired me to create a recipe for Tuscan Bread Soup, which is also known as Ribollita. You can make this soup on your stovetop or in a slow cooker. Enjoy this … [Read more...]
Radicchio and Arugula Salad
After my trip to Italy and a visit to the Campo di Fiori open produce market in Rome, I was inspired to create a Radicchio and Arugula Salad. It's simple but contains Italian favorites like Gorgonzola cheese and fennel. Enjoy this recipe! Salad isn’t served before a meal in Italy, but rather after the meal as a digestive. You won't find it soaked in dressing … [Read more...]
Pastéis de Nata: Lisbon, Portugal’s Secret Recipe
While we were on a Mediterranean cruise on the Cunard Queen Elizabeth we stopped in Lisbon, Portugal. It was a short day excursion but while we were there, we tasted one of Portugal's specialty desserts called Pastéis de Nata, which are custard tarts. My life was forever changed. Find a local guide in Lisbon, here. I'm not a huge dessert eater but I could eat these tarts … [Read more...]
Ayurvedic Stewed Apples
I’m sure you heard the old Welsh proverb, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” That saying becomes especially timely as we grow older. An Oxford University study claims that if you start eating apples every day after you're over 50, it’s just as good as taking a heart pill, (statin) and that eating more fruit prevents over 8,500 heart attacks per year. Don’t get me wrong. … [Read more...]
Oatmeal with Pineapple, Raisins and Walnuts
I was never into eating oatmeal or cereal for breakfast for most of my life. It was always too bland and uninteresting. My choice would be eggs or leftover lunch or dinner instead. Now that I'm older and more concerned with my health, I’ve developed an appreciation for good ole’ oatmeal. But it doesn't have to be boring white gruel. In the recipe below, I've added … [Read more...]
