Ah, that post-holiday befuddlement. Feeling as though you're coming up above sleepy waters for the first time in a while and you can't quite remember what you're supposed to be doing. Routine has become a foreign word, and it takes forever to pack the child's day bag.
It was goodbye, UK! again. It's back to business as usual in Milan. Surveying the astonishing amount of mess and crushing silence M-Little and M-Big left behind this morning. Wondering how to offset the industrial quantities of sausages, Kettle chips and crumpets consumed with something a little more nutritionally balanced.
It was goodbye, UK! again. It's back to business as usual in Milan. Surveying the astonishing amount of mess and crushing silence M-Little and M-Big left behind this morning. Wondering how to offset the industrial quantities of sausages, Kettle chips and crumpets consumed with something a little more nutritionally balanced.
sampling Cumberland sausages & mash is very serious business
Still, the fact that we are finally coming out of silly season (yes, even Italy gets a bit mired in a soup of cabbage and greens at certain times of year) is helping me find inspiration. There's asparagus, lovely broad beans, spring onions, tomatoes and strawberries from Sicily, juicy melons and I've even spotted the first nectarines.
penne with broad beans, crispy pancetta & mint
spinach gnocchi with the sweetest tomato sauce
carrot, bell pepper & red lentil soup (still trying to think of an interesting topping for this one)
kofte with aubergine dip & flatbreads
pearl barley & asparagus salad (something along the lines of this fantastic-looking creation)
Lemon & herb farfalle with courgette, tuna & mozzarella
The Bean will be at home for the double bank holiday on Thursday and Friday, so I want to make the kofte and the pearl barley salad in advance. For some reason, as soon as he spots me at the stove he tries to surgically attach himself to my leg. Although today I got him to help me with podding the broad beans, which he loved. Maybe he will grow into a kitchen elf rather than a kitchen obstacle yet?
penne with broad beans, crispy pancetta & mint
spinach gnocchi with the sweetest tomato sauce
carrot, bell pepper & red lentil soup (still trying to think of an interesting topping for this one)
kofte with aubergine dip & flatbreads
pearl barley & asparagus salad (something along the lines of this fantastic-looking creation)
Lemon & herb farfalle with courgette, tuna & mozzarella
The Bean will be at home for the double bank holiday on Thursday and Friday, so I want to make the kofte and the pearl barley salad in advance. For some reason, as soon as he spots me at the stove he tries to surgically attach himself to my leg. Although today I got him to help me with podding the broad beans, which he loved. Maybe he will grow into a kitchen elf rather than a kitchen obstacle yet?
penne with broad beans, crispy pancetta & mint
