Dreaming of Summer with Tomatoes
With Christmas well and truly done and dusted, I’ve decided it’s time to switch my blog header from the festive theme. This time, I’ve gone for tomatoes—bright, juicy, and bursting with colour. Yes, I know they’re not in season here in the UK, but that just makes them all the more desirable for me. As someone who tries to avoid winter at all costs, I find myself longing for warm summer days and fresh, simple dishes like Insalata Caprese. Just the thought of ripe tomatoes paired with mozzarella, fresh basil, and a drizzle of olive oil transports me straight to the Med.
New Year, New Cookbooks
Father Christmas (thanks to Melanie!) surprised me this year with two fantastic Mediterranean cookbooks. The first is Ainsley’s Mediterranean Cookbook, which offers a beautiful range of dishes from Corsica, Sardinia, and beyond. The second is Ben Tish’s Mediterra, laid out like a culinary tour around the Mediterranean coastline. Both books look very inspiring, and I’ll definitely be dipping into them for fresh recipe ideas. Stay tuned for some Mediterranean flavours coming your way!
Sette Bello: Our Italian Staple
Speaking of Mediterranean food, we recently revisited one of our all-time favorite local restaurants, Sette Bello. If you’re ever in Tooting and craving Italian style food, this place never disappoints. Their pizzas are fantastic, but the real star for me is their garlic bread with tomato. I dare say it’s more like a pizza marinara (Neapolitans correct me if I’m wrong)thin, with a perfectly crispy bite, and topped with the most delicious garlicky tomato sauce. Honestly, I challenge anyone to find a better version! If you haven’t tried it yet, I highly recommend popping into Sette Bello for a taste.
Escaping Winter: Tenerife Here We Come!
As part of our annual British winter avoidance scheme, we’re heading off to the sunny island of Tenerife soon. I can’t wait! While Tenerife is known for its abundance of British-style cafes, there are also some hidden gems serving authentic Spanish and Canary Island cuisine. I’m looking forward to exploring the local food scene and will be sure to share my findings in an upcoming post.
What’s Next?
I’m not entirely sure what the next few weeks have in store for us, but you can count on me to keep you updated. I’ll be sharing restaurant finds, travel adventures, and of course, some of our favorite recipes along the way. Stay tuned, and here’s to a flavourful new year!