Welcome to my world - a blend of passion, taste, and old-world traditions.

Benvenuti nel mio mondo - un mischio di passione, gusto e vecchie tradizioni.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Swordfish Rolls Stuffed with Zucchini - Involtini di Pesce Spada con Zucchine

Once in a while, I like to propose tasty, light dishes without sacrificing the flavors and aromas of good food.  In March, I posted Barley and Vegetable Soup.  Today, I am suggesting another ideal recipe in order to eat light without sacrificing the palate.

All photos - Copyright - ©2011 - La Casa e Il Giardino – picasaweb

Ingredients for 2 people

6 filets of swordfish (other firm fish filet may be substituted)
2 small zucchini
2 fresh tomatoes
2 cloves of garlic
Sprig of mint
2 tablespoons of wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Remove the skin from the tomatoes and chop.

Wash and cut the zucchini into sticks. Saute'  them in a pan with ½ of the oil and one clove of chopped garlic. Add the vinegar, chopped mint and salt.
Place the cooked zucchini at the center of each fish filet and create a roll.
In a pan add, the rest of the chopped garlic and sauté the fish rolls for few minutes.  In the same pan, add the chopped tomatoes and warm up for a few minutes. Serve by placing the fish rolls around the tomatoes.

 




Saturday, September 17, 2011

Why I like Marigolds

Marigolds get no respect.

All photos - Copyright - ©2011 - La Casa e Il Giardino – picasaweb

Many people I know do not like marigolds because of their colors—gold, yellow, and orange which many people think are autumn colors.  Some people don’t care for the scent.  Others say that marigolds seem out of place in summer.  I think otherwise.



Petunias, impatiens, roses and hydrangeas are not the only flowers to decorate our yards in the summer.


I love marigolds. The colors are spectacular and when mixed with purple petunias or foliage and red geraniums, they make for a great show of color.










I also find marigolds to bloom reliably, are very low maintenance and some of us like that smell.

In the fall I pick the dried flower heads and save to plant the next spring.




I think marigolds are beautiful flowers.  I like them.  How about you?

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Art of Womanhood

      Even in this digital age, I believe that having some hand skills is very relevant.



     When I see many women not knowing how to sew a button, cook a meal with fresh ingredients or bake a cake from scratch, it worries me. Many women I know shop as some form of therapy, for gratification and for simply having something to do.  Having hand skills beats loneliness and the feeling of uselessness especially in retirement.

Home-made pasta

sausage making


    Thanks to the skills I learned from my mother, today not only do I know how to stay hyper-connected, but I know how to cook, sew, butcher, garden and anything in between. Creating something, whether it’s making pottery, knitting, sewing or cooking, gives anyone a sense of pride. 


Hand-stitched, wine-themed kitchen towels


Kitchen towels in eco-friendly packaging


Hand-stitched giftcard packaging

Gardening