Summer is now in full swing over here in Berlin and I am kicking off the season with the perfect recipe for some al fresco dining – a Courgette, Feta and Tahini Dip! I am a huge fan of Middle Eastern food for its exciting flavours, use of fresh vegetables and it’s all things spice. I can eat Mezze all year but it feels that little bit more special during the summer months. I think it is because you can cook just a few items then pile a load of olives…
courgettes
Griddled Courgettes with Pine Nuts and Feta
The last month or so I have been blogging more and more Mezze recipes and sharing my love for this delicious style of eating. I am constantly influenced by Eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours and I am always finding new ways and styles to cook with different and exciting ingredients. And while I am pleased that my list of Mezze recipes are becoming varied, meaning that we don’t have the same small plates each time we want a little of that fresh and vibrant influence in our kitchen, they can get a little on the heavy side when wanting to make all of your favourite dishes…
Kolokithokeftedes (Greek Fried Courgette Balls)
Last month I was in Paxos, a tiny Greek Island just one hour from Corfu. It was the most peaceful and beautiful of places with clear blue water and a choice of wonderful beaches. What I particularly liked about Paxos is that it is not full of package holiday resorts. In fact, it is mostly made up of villas and little apartments filling the tiny villages. We stayed in the smallest, yet most beautiful, of villages, Loggos…
Grilled Courgettes, Goats Cheese and Red Chilli on Toast
A slice of toasted bread isn’t just to be eaten in the morning with a spread of jam and butter or topped with some eggs and bacon. The humble slice is for any time of day and meal time. At the weekends I like to buy a nice fresh loaf of bread and Germany is definitely the right place to have plenty of choice. Bread is often something that German’s miss when they are away from home and they really do take it seriously. When I first arrived in Berlin I found it difficult to get my hands on a typical loaf …
Chicken wrapped in Parma Ham with a White Wine Sauce and Courgettes
Do you have plans this Valentine’s Day? Or do you simply see this day as grossly commercialised? I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan who goes all out but then I am not going to say no to a bunch of flowers and a nicer meal out than our usual Tuesday night pizza and beer dinner date! ‘Can you not show your love all year round?’ or ‘It’s such a pain going out the same night as everyone else’ the pessimists say. The fact is while this shouldn’t be your only night to spend time with your loved one, most of us are often busy….