Azoresgal~Life on an Island

I really, think these should be called Christmas Scones ! That is what they taste like, it's what Mr.G said, right after biting into one...."these taste like christmas". It´s the combination of orange peel, and the tart cranberries...they even look festive. I seldom post recipes, that contain an ingredient, that cannot be bought on the island. This is true of the cranberry, it is not available to us through our grocery stores. These cranberries were a gift. The fact that these turned out so scrumptious,I just had to share. I think cherries, fresh or suger glazed would work really well here. Frozen, raspberries, or blackberries too, would blend in great. Sometimes in the kitchen, you have to, experiment, and make do with things you have on hand, and not be discouraged, by the things we don't have ( sounds like a life lesson to me).   Cranberry Scones ( from here ) Ingredients: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon

These were oh so very good. Sticky.Sweet.Garlicky ( yes thats a word ). My kids and husband loved them. Please feel free to add more garlic, you could add some heat as well, some cayenne, or chili powder. Try them , you won' t regret it. this is the recipe I used for these ! xo, Diana

These were fantastic, burst's of tart raspberries and little nuggets of white chocolate....perfect with a glass of milk or tea or coffee . I used the Blueberry Muffin recipe , using raspberries instead and adding white chocolate ( about a cup ) xo, Diana

I love Sunday lunch, love that its not rushed, but instead relaxed. We get to sit around and linger a little bit longer around the table. This dish was perfect for sunday lunch. It came together, because of the fresh ingredients, I had on hand, green onions and fresh coriander from our garden, red chiles given to me by this awesome friend , the limes I had bought during the week. I wanted them to pair with some new zealand green half shell mussels, and some coconut milk.  It was a real big hit, even the kids loved them, and that's always a blessing. I hope you give them a try, you won't regret it. I promise ! 2 tablespoons olive oil oil 3 green onions finely chopped or one small onion 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 to 5  kaffir lime leaves  2 small hot chile, seeded and finely chopped 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 kilo green shell frozen mussels, rinsed well juice of 1 lime or to taste soy sauce to taste (for salt)  Heat the oil in the bottom of

Winter seems to have arrived early to our little island this year. We even got some hail...now you know that is has got to be real cold for hail...that's near enough to snow.....for us anyway !. Made this hot chocolate for my kiddo's as they all arrived from school...to help take off the chill. It's a winner, a very special treat, rich and creamy.... almost sinful !  White Hot Chocolate Ingredients 4 cups of milk of your choice 1 tsp. vanilla extract 8 oz. white chocolate, chopped into small pieces Stir together milk, vanilla and chopped white chocolate in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.) Remove from heat and serve. Whip cream and cinnamon are optional ! xo, Diana

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields  John McCrae, May 1915

Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common... Celebrate it every day.                                     -    Sir Winston Churchill I am Canadian by birth, but I was born to portuguese parents, who left the little island of Terceira in the early 70's.  They moved to Canada like so many others before them, with very little belongings, a suitcase or two, some money, and some keepsakes, not very many things. What they did take along with them, in limitless amounts, was memories, stories, and tradtions. The first house I remember living in, not the one I was actually born in though, was in Toronto. We shared it with my paternal grandparents, who had immigrated to the USA, then joined us in Canada. I lived in Toronto, for about 6 years, on the outside our house was a suburban, canadian house, just like any other on Robinson Street, but inside, we were raised portuguese, in every sense of the word. Our food was portuguese, our music was portuguese, we only spoke portug