It feels so long since I posted my last Tarte Tatin recipe that I thought I must post another one this week.

Yes because a Pear & Brandy Tarte Tatin, a Peach & Passion Fruit Tarte Tatin and a Tomato Tarte Tatin over the last few weeks don't really seem enough Tarte Tatin in my life.

Well, yes, I may be working up a good obsession for these french recipe. But there is something special about that caramelized flavor with fruit and a delicious flaky crust that makes me go weak in the knees.

Apricot & Stilton Wholemeal Buns

I can't stop thinking about my next holidays. I love browsing through the airlines websites and play with different combinations of dates and destinations. I read travel blogs and I wonder whether their authors make a life of it or just have enough money to travel around the world constantly.

I wish I could do that. Like spending 3 months going all over Latin America, from Buenos Aires to Rio, meeting new people, making new friends, relaxing in a lost paradise in Brazil or celebrating All Saints Day in Mexico. Or going to Japan for a geek Studio Ghibli route, eating sushi and enjoying the amazing cherry blossom season.

Apricot and Almond Tart

This week I'm a really excited and proud mummy. My son has learned to ride a bike!! A couple of months ago he was given a bike that he absolutely loved. He has been taking the bike to the park, without trying to ride it. Just walking with it to the park and back. Despite my best efforts, explaining how to ride a bike verbally to a 5-year-old boy didn't work for either of us.

Something I was not keen on was the use of stabilisers. I really think they are useless, as they make you learn to ride a bike twice: firstly with, then without. I am obviously not an expert, but I believe having stabilisers prevents the child from learning intuitively where their balance point is. But after a couple of months, I started to wonder whether I was completely wrong and the stabilisers were the key.

Apricot and Ginger Trifle

I have been asked several times why are we so keen in supporting Faritrade.

Fairtrade is a simple yet incredibly important idea – it’s all about giving the people who produce the things you buy a fair price for their work. This may seem obvious, but lots of people in have to sell their goods at prices so low that they can’t make a decent living. Often, only a tiny bit of the money you pay for something goes to the person who actually made it.  This happens a lot when we import things from poorer countries. But is also happening more and more to our own farmers and producers, as markets are getting extremely competitive.

Pistachios, Walnuts and Dried Apricots Cottage Biscuits

Cooking with the family is one of the best things to do in Christmas time. In the kitchen, everyone is relaxed and conversation flows from one subject to another. 

Is cooking when most intimate secrets and wishes are shared. Where the great family anecdotes are remembered. And where the most amazing discoveries are made.