Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Affogato in Italian means “drowned”, and in this case it’s cold vanilla ice cream being drowned by pouring freshly brewed espresso all over it. Seriously, an adult version of a float. It's hot and cold, bitter and sweet ! Want to make it even more adult... add a splash of Amaretto or Frangelico. ! So good ! It’s like having your coffee and dessert all at the same time! I do warn you, after, you have one, you will want more, truly addictive. Affogato Ingredients 1 shot of strong espresso (50ml) 1 scoop of good-quality vanilla ice cream  ***splash of amaretto or  frangelico (optional) Directions Make a shot of espresso. Put a scoop of ice cream in a cup or small bowl Pour the coffee over the ice cream. Enjoy immediately! *** using my Nespresso machine, I just scoop ice cream into a large espresso cup, and then make the coffee xo,Diana

When ever, my girlfriends and I get together, to chit-chat, there is always   wine  food. Whether its for lunch or dinner, there is always appetizers. One of our favorites hands down is this one, always made by my dear Ilidia . It is very addictive, and very easy to put together. I love the fresh flavor, and that it is light. Ilidia's version , is rolled into logs, and almond crusted, oh so very good ! I made mine, as a creamy spread, and left out the almonds. I also kinda, sorta, eye balled everything...which makes sense, since everyone will prefer different amounts of spring onion, and salt and pepper. Instead of spring onions, you might use basil, or mint, or chives, the mild flavor of the ricotta, will combine well, with any given combination. I happened to use an american ricotta, but on the island we can easily find, italian ricotta, and of course portuguese requeijão. Serve with crackers, or bread, I think it would even be great in a sandwich, or a top a burger....

Oh no, I see A spider web is tangled up with me And I lost my head The thought of all the stupid things I've said Oh no what's this? A spider web, and I'm caught in the middle So I turn to run The thought of all the stupid things I've done And I never meant to cause you trouble And I never meant to do you wrong And I, well if I ever caused you trouble Oh no, I never meant to do you harm Oh no I see A spider web and it's me in the middle So I twist and turn Here am I in my little bubble Singing, I never meant to cause you trouble And I never meant to do you wrong And I, well if I ever caused you trouble Although I never meant to do you harm They spun a web for me 

     Simple, quick, and delicious. Great as an appetizer, or cook up some pasta of your choice, and serve as dinner or lunch. Either way, this is a keeper, hope you try it ! Ingredients: 1 kilo New Zealand half shell mussels 5 cloves of garlic, minced 4 bay leaves, 4-5 green onions, chopped, the whole thing 1/4 cup olive oil 2  chili peppers, thinly sliced (remove the seeds if you do not want the heat) 2 cups of white wine, 200 ml cream, or creme fraiche Fresh parsley, a handful, chopped Heat a large pan,  on medium heat. Once heated, toss in the garlic and onions and bay leaves cook for a few minutes, or until the onions soften. Toss in the chili peppers, and heat for another minute. Add in your wine and cook for about 4-6 minutes. Next, toss in your mussels, and cover, cooking for another 5-7 minutes. Remove the cover,lower the heat, add in the cream stir well, shaking the pan and cook for another 5 minutes (but without boiling the c...

This is a simple little cake. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon, with some tea, or coffee, or a lovely tall glass of milk. You can add just adusting of powdered sugar, a plate and a fork… and you are ready to enjoy. I baked mine in a loaf pan..this meant baking it a little bit longer in the oven. A tube pan works just fine ! Ingredients: 1 cup granulated sugar 4 large eggs 1 cup milk (whole, 2% or 1%) 1 cup vegetable oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cups  All-Purpose Flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons Cocoa 1. Preheat oven to180/ 350°F. Cover pan with bake spray and dust with flour. 2. In a bowl blend the sugar and eggs for about 2 minutes. On low speed add the oil, milk and vanilla until well combined and smooth. 3. In a second bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix for about another 2 minutes or until the batter is smooth and lump free. 4. Remove 2 cups of...

Hang on, just hang on for a minute. I've got something to say. I'm not asking you to move on or forget it, But these are better days. To be wrong all along and admit is not amazing grace. But to be loved like a song you remember Even when you've changed. Tell me... Did I go on a tangent? Did I lie through my teeth? Did I cause you to stumble on your feet? Did I bring shame on my family? Did it show when I was weak? Whatever you see, that wasn't me. That wasn't me, that wasn't me. When you're lost you will toss every lucky coin you'll ever trust, And you will hide from your god like he ever turns his back on us. Then you'll fall all the way to the bottom and fall on your own knife, And you'll learn who you are even if it doesn't take your life. Tell me did I go on a tangent? Did I lie through my teeth? Did I cause you to stumble on your feet? Did I bring shame on my family? Did it show when...

   This creamy dessert is real comfort food. Sweet and custard-like, and easy peasy. This is perfect for one of those days, when you just need something to hit the spot. It's not fancy shmancy and isn't gourmet, it´s old fashioned really, something our grandmother's would make. That's what comforting about them, simple food , made with love !  I hope you give them a try.    Rice Pudding 2 cups water 1/2 cup uncooked short grain rice peel of 1 lemon generous pinch of salt 1 cup sweetened condensed milk cinnamon In a small saucepan, combine the water, rice and salt and lemon peel. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Add in condensed milk. Stir till it comes to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer,uncovered, for 10-15 minutes or until thick and creamy, stirring frequently. Remove from pan, pour into serving dishes ( about 4), sprinkle with cinnamon. **** you may add in a tabl...

                                                                                                                                                                                This was dinner last night. I won't lie to you.....it was awesome ! Crispy fish, and a very yummy dipping sauce. It got rave reviews all around the table. We don't fry alot of food at our house, so once in a while it's a nice treat ! You can use regular bread crumbs,but the Panko real makes it crunchy.  for the fish : 2 cups panko (coarse Japane...

I made these pumpkin waffles, Saturday morning. They are so yummy ! They were the perfect start to a lazy weekend. I hope you give them a try. Pumpkin Waffles 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 3 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 1 cup canned pumpkin (or cooked pumpkin) 2 cups milk 4 eggs, separated 1/4 cup butter, melted Preheat a waffle iron according to manufacturer's instructions. Combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, and brown sugar in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the pumpkin, milk, and egg yolks. Whip the egg whites in a clean dry bowl until soft peaks form. Stir the flour mixture and 1/4 cup melted butter to the pumpkin mixture, stirring just to combine. Use a whisk or rubber spatula to fold 1/3 of the egg whites into the batter, stirring gently until incorporated. Fold in the remaining egg ...

 "Men have forgotten this truth," said the fox. "But you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose..."       "I am responsible for my rose," the little prince repeated, so that he would be sure to remember. a visit to the cemetery today, for Emma's birthday, it is so quiet up on the hillside, and the view is so peaceful..

My biggest fear, as time goes by, is that Emma will be forgotten. I can't even type that with out it grabbing a hold of my heart. I don't want to forget what she looked like, how beautiful she was, how perfect, how wanted.how loved.  But when you loose a child to stillbirth, you are left with very little keepsakes, things to help you remember them. These silent angels, leave footprints on our hearts, but no footprints on earth. I have boxes full of pre-school paintings, and school pictures, and mothers day gifts, and fathers day gifts, that belong to Sara, and Simon, and Tomas. They tell a story, their stories, of how they are growing up, how the are healthy and happy and alive ! With Emma, I have a little corner in my bedroom, with very few things that are hers, and others I have just bought, and some were gifts.  One of the hardest things, is not having an actual picture of her, at the time it wasn't  hospital practice to take pictures of the baby (sadly I think t...

  Today.........12 years ago...today... my world crumbled around me....feels like yesterday. The smells..the sounds...the pain...the questions.. so many questions.....the doubt...the guilt..so much guilt! It all comes back.....like big giant waves.....waves that I just can't seem to catch.  I just have to let them crash around me...for the next couple of days...can´t resist them or fight them ! Eventually they will calm down...and I will still be here...

Hope you all had a wonderful Easter ! We had a beautiful day, our home was filled with  family and  friends, good food, and much laughter, till way past 11 pm ! Sign of a good Easter lunch ?? I think so ! Today we have been cleaning up, putting things back into place, and washing the  dishes (thank goodness for machines). My monkee's are still home this week. So, we still have a couple more days, to hang out! To all my Canadian friends and family, enjoy your Easter Monday !