Good food feeds the soul
The farmers market here in Portugal right now is an abundance of spring veg and herbs. Fresh fava beans, new potatoes still wearing their dirt, fennel, green peas still in the pod, courgettes (zucchini), and mint… so much bright green mint it’s practically growing in …
The hubby immediately fell in love with sopa de feijão verde (green bean soup). He ate just a spoonful of the bowl I ordered at a little restaurant in Porto called Talhasca Villa Parda and was in love. Not that I blame him. The talhasca …
Is popcorn a MUST for movie night in your home? It is at ours whether we’re at the theater, or…AT HOME. Of course, I love going to the theater – the big screen, the sound system, and feeling like you’re in the movie. BUT there …
Nothing says summer to me as much as a thick, juicy slab of a perfectly ripe tomato, dressed with nothing but good olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and a fresh herb…or 2. Rosemary, thyme, basil, or oregano…your pick. The Heirloom Tomato Salad (or just …
Strawberries are in peak season here in Portugal. So, I couldn’t resist popping some in the oven to make Balsamic Roasted Strawberries with Pink Peppercorns. I served it over a no-bake lemon cheesecake for dessert over the Easter holidays. This recipe is so freaking easy. …
Have you ever made your own crackers? I hadn’t until recently. It’s always been one of those things on my list to do but I couldn’t be bothered because you can always buy such wonderful flavors in the store with no effort. BUT making homemade …
My lovely friend Jacky got me HOOKED on Roasted Cherry Tomatoes. After eating these SWEET babies at her place a few times, I HAD to start making them at home. And share them with you because you don’t need to miss a treat like this. …
Okay, I’m just going to say it! Massaging kale to make it tender for kale salad is 100% silly. Instead, save the massage for yourself and make my Kale Salad with Apple and Persimmon tossed with a Lemon Dressing. I created this salad for a …
Originally published 2021, updated June 2026. It’s almost impossible to find a tapas bar in Spain that doesn’t serve patatas bravas. Not that I blame them because who can resist crispy roasted potatoes dipped in a smoky, slightly spicy bravas sauce. They are genuinely one …
It’s mid-summer, which means eggplant, zucchini, and tomatoes are pouring out of the garden. And I can’t think of a better dish to highlight all those wonderful veggies than ratatouille. The only thing better is my recipe for Tian with an Italian Twist. Of course, …