In the Kitchen -

Pan Co’Santi: A Favourite local recipe for this time of year

October 13, 2021

It seems that it’s that time of year when some peoples crafting goes down a rather spooky road, and while halloween themed crafting doesn’t really grab me, all seasonal baking does. Here in Siena, the lead up to All Souls or the Festa dei Morti (2nd November) is marked as so many Italian festivals both local and national, with a particular food; Pan Co’Santi. This is a sweet yeasted bread with dried fruit, walnuts and all … More Pan Co’Santi: A Favourite local recipe for this time of year

A Winter of Natural Plant Dyeing Experiments: Striking Neons, a few cowpats and a surprise

March 26, 2021

It’s been a while since I posted regarding my natural dyeing experiments so I thought I’d do a round up of the various colours and shades that I’ve been cooking up over the winter months, in anticipation of, and to clear the decks for, the opportunities that spring will bring. Today I will stick to plant dyeing but will also be sharing some mushroom experiments, (spoiler: variable outcomes but some spectacular pictures!), and some lichen … More A Winter of Natural Plant Dyeing Experiments: Striking Neons, a few cowpats and a surprise

Vitalbini

July 14, 2020

In my last post a made reference to Old Man’s Beard/Clematis Vitalba shoots being edible and being eaten here in Tuscany. Not to leave any stone unturned I thought I should at least give it a go and report back… The edible bit of the plant is the new growing shoot, so I picked those from the hedgerow. I went with this very simple recipe for a frittata. You boil a pan of water with … More Vitalbini

Holidays mean Fudge: A Recipe

December 17, 2019

Ever since I joined Instagram in 2012 it seems that each Christmas I’ve posted a picture of my homemade fudge. You could almost call it a ‘tradition’. I’ve been making fudge on an off for over 30 years. As a teenager I would make large elaborate selections of sweets for aunts and uncles and family friends. In recent years the range of sweets I make has slimmed down a bit, the coconut ice has gone for … More Holidays mean Fudge: A Recipe

Preserving and Making Space: My Adventures in Marmalade

August 1, 2019

We were still mid move when I first drafted this post but as I publish we’ve been ‘here’ 6 weeks. Actually since we officially moved, and by that I mean sold out house and had to vacate it earlier than planned, I’ve actually been back in the UK finishing up some fieldwork, come back to our first visitors and since they left, finished one of the 3 work projects I still have outstanding. But anyway, … More Preserving and Making Space: My Adventures in Marmalade