May 2023 was a fantastic month! Dave and I went to Italy and spent some time with Mark and Eva. We had a hectic week in Naples and then went and did very little in Pugnochiuso. The trip home was exhausting and interesting. Exhausting because we woke up at 5:45 on Sunday and only took off about 1am the following day. And interesting because we did a guided tour of Istanbul and saw a few amazing places. I did very little in the way of cooking and baking for my blog. This was not planned, but we were very busy socially when we came back.
Recipes I shared in May 2023
I scheduled posts for while we were away, so all of these are dishes I had made before we left at the end of April. For a quick lunch I made cauliflower bites one day, and then baked feta and bazlama the next. We had friends over for a meal and I made ajoblanco to start and slow roasted brisket for our main course. And the last sourdough loaf I baked was a seeded sourdough. I have a smoothie every workday morning, and this month I made an apple smoothie to post for the blog. I also served vanilla semifreddo as a dessert.
Shopping in Italy in May 2023
We always come home with a few things when we travel. Some are the basics like olive oil and garlic. And the rest are things I have on my very extensive look overseas list. The herbs were bought from a small store in Vieste and I have used a generous pinch in a tomato and aubergine pasta. They have strong chilli pepper flakes in them so I shall use them with caution when I create the next recipe. The pistachio chocolate was delicious, and the only one that made it home with us. I also bought lemon and ginger which was interesting. I don’t know if the semolina we get here is as fine as the rimacinata below so I bought a pack to see. This is reground so I take it the semola will be fine – I will report back. The farmer style artichokes were super cheap! They were just over €1 and we came home with 2 bottles and ate one while we were on holiday. Dave has dished up one jar already as snacks and I will use the other for a pasta dish.
This is my June submission to the #IMK series hosted by Sherry. Each month bloggers around the world gather to share what is new in their kitchens.
View the previous posts on June 1:
- 2022: May 2022 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2020: Ginger Coffee Popsicles
- 2018: Umami Pasta
- 2016: June 2016 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2015: Creamy Black Pepper, Feta And Herb Dressing
- 2013: June 2013 Showcasing In My Kitchen
- 2012: Waffle Batter
- 2011: Chicken Tagine
thanks for joining in Tandy. what a wonderful May you must have had in Italy. Pistachio chocolate sounds fabulous!
It was really good!
Bringing back food items for the kitchen is always a fun way to remember travel. I’m always sad when they are used up, and no more chance to find them.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
That is sad – and an excuse to go away again 🙂
Every time I visit your blog, Tandy I want to eat your header image-smile- Like me you always come home with some goodies like I did as we were in Oz in May…Enjoy the artichokes and pasta 🙂
Thank you for that compliment! I took that photo years ago and I am reluctant to change it 🙂
Italy, what an awesome trip. We did a trip to Italy, now about 10 years ago, on a motorbike and loved every moment.
I visited you via In My Kitchen – June 2023
If interested feel free to visit my entries for this week: #13+14 as I would love to invite you to come and share your posts and you will have an opportunity to get featured.
You will find the linkup information (1) In the Top bar under Blogging: Weekly Senior Salon Pit Stop OR 2nd image In the sidebar
We hope to meet you there virtually.
My hubby would love to go across Italy on a motorbike 🙂
Thanks for the visit and off to find your site 🙂
What a delicious time you must have had in Italy – I love the look of all your edible souvenirs, especially the artichokes! YUM! The apple smoothie looks super refreshing, I am going to have to bookmark the recipe 🙂
Hope you enjoy the smoothie as much as I did Sammie 🙂
Glad you had a nice trip to Italy – we can say we had a vacation not you far from you guys; just a few hours on a ferry lol. Interesting grocery items, too. We were lazy to carry extra weight, but we got truffles, cheese and salami (also with truffles)
I looked at the ferry – 8 hours and only once a week haha! Truffles are perfect to bring back with you 🙂
I may only have been Italy earlier this year but I am still jealous!
I feel the same way when someone else goes to Italy 😉
That’s quite the treasure trove you brought back!
And I’m a bit jealous about your trip to Istanbul. It’s been on my bucket list for years. Pity I didn’t get there when I was living only a short flight away..
And if the semolina flour is anything like it is here in the US, I think you’ll find semola rimacinata much finer—better for making pasta.
I still have to open the pack of the semolina rimacinata – will report back when I do 🙂
loving all the Italian goodies, and the artichokes! I do think artichokes in Europe are the best, better than in North America or Australia 🙂
I do not like buying imported products but this is one of my items that I just close my eyes and do so 🙂
Wonderful items to have brought home with you, do you carry and empty suitcase?
No, we just make sure we travel light enough to be able to bring stuff home 🙂