Raw Prune Truffles

So this week I’ve been having a conversation in my head with this year. Yes, this year. It’s going something like this:

Me: Excuse me? 2016?

2016: Yes?

Me: Err…I think there’s some kind of mistake.

2016: Oh?

Me: Yes I think so. My calendar says it’s the end of May.

2016: So?

Me: I think that’s wrong.

2016: Really?

Me: Yes.

2016: Please wake up!

To be continued….

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Roasted Aubergines, Courgettes and Portobello Mushrooms

I wanted to throw something extra before the weekend, since I realised that I missed a post last week. I’m on a roasting kinda-kick. You’re sharp and you’ve already noticed. Please have patience with me. OK, so I could try to guess what you might be thinking: Portobello mushrooms are nice and big so that we can fill them with all sorts of goodness. Now that, my friend, is my wish for a last meal. That and a good ol’ lemon and sage roast chicken. But I can assure you that it lends itself so well here precisely because it’s large and meaty. I’m sure you know mushrooms – they absorb any flavour you give them but Portobellos don’t need much apart from good seasoning. Then you’re pretty much good to go. The same goes for aubergines.

Fettuccine with a simple tomato and red pepper sauce

I’ve always said that, for me, the hardest part of writing recipes is not really the recipes themselves, but the introduction. I’m never happy to post something without one. I think food, like most of the things in life, has to have some kind of context, no matter how small it might be.

Now when I say ‘small’ I don’t mean insignificant. I never mean that because to me that’s somewhat disrespectful. Eating with your partner, spouse, friends, or even alone is never a small thing. I don’t want to sound too philosophical here. Leading busy lives means that sometimes we might skip supper and/or lunch with others. That’s one reason why I like to have people over for supper. Sometimes I do it on the spur of the moment, on a whim,  when I know my pantry and fridge are stocked for that week. Sometimes I even wing it, without many ingredients to hand. We all have those days where all we want is to be alone, and for the most part I lunch alone, but nothing beats a full table.

Bucatini with Ricotta and Maltese Sausages (for #PastaFriday)

The weeks are really going by so fast. I can’t quite get my head round it. However summer doesn’t seem to want to come to an end here in Malta. The weather is glorious, a little too hot for my liking, but it comes with one perk. If you’re into eating with family and friends on a breezy rooftop, or if you’re lucky enough to own a luscious green garden, this is definitely the perfect weather for you. There is nothing like fresh food and great company, with perhaps a nice bottle of chilled white to share. This simple pasta dish reminds me of all that. I am looking forward to winter cooking, but in the meantime I don’t mind eating this now.