Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Well here it is another Christmas day ! I hope you are enjoying a beautiful day with your families where ever it is you may be ! We are all still in our pyjamas, watching movies, enjoying new gifts, and just relaxing. I do not know about you , but I am really exhausted, I feel like I was hit by a truck. I gave it my all this week, really just trying to do and make or bake all of my kids favorite things. It's what I love most about Christmas, getting everything ready for them, in the hopes that many, many years from now, they may stop and remember, "that´s how mom used to make it". Find myself a bit overwhelmed, I admit that baking gingerbread cookies this year, was something I had crossed off the to do list. Somehow I thought it was something the kids would not miss, boy was I wrong, yesterday mid afternoon, Simon asked, "when are we baking the gingerbread cookies?" I told him "we already have so many other things on the dessert table, we can leave them ou...

This simple tart, is out of this world, it's a favorite dessert at our house. It's a Portuguese classic, it has a rich, crumbly, buttery cookie-like base. The topping is.... dreamy, it's caramelized, crunchy and nutty. Really easy to make, you don't even need a rolling pin for the crust. Hardest part, just keeping an eye on the topping once it goes into the oven, you don't want it to burn. The tart  has a wow-factor- it not only looks delicious, it tastes amazing.  Trust me,you will have to make it, and see for yourself ! Crust 1 egg 150 grams sugar/ 3/4 cup  125grams butter, soft/ 1/2 cup  ½ teaspoon salt 200 grams flour/ 1 and 2/3 cups 1 teaspoon baking powder Almond topping 125 grams sugar/ 10 tablespoons 125 grams butter/ 1/2 cup 4 tablespoons milk 200 grams blanched, slivered almonds ( a little under 2 cups ) pinch of salt Preheat oven to 180C/350°F. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the egg,  and sugar until uniform. A...

 If you love  salty/sweet combinations – these cookies are for you ! The cookies are chewy with big chocolate chunks and  topped with a sprinkling of sea salt.  The combination of flavors are wonderful together!  If you are worried about the salt, you don´t have to add it, you will still have a great cookie! 3/4 cup white sugar 3/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup butter 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 200 grams semisweet chocolate chopped// 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips coarse sea salt for sprinkling on top 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In medium bowl, combine flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir with fork so all ingredients are mixed. 3. In large bowl, combine sugars, and butter. Mix until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth and fluffy. 4. Add 1 cup of dry ingredients at a t...

                                                                                           “A mother is a person who seeing there are only 4 pieces of pie for 5 people… announces she never did care for pie” -Tenneva Jordan.

"When a child gives you a gift, even if it is a rock they just picked up, exude gratitude. It might be the only thing they have to give, and they have chosen to give it to you."  -- Dean Jackson

Caldo Verde, portuguese for "green broth", is a very simple soup. Made with few ingredients, potatoes, collard greens, onion and sausage. I made a big pot of it today, we are still recovering from the New Year´s Eve party we hosted ! This soup is flavorful, comforting  and satisfying. Did I also mention it's great for hangovers? Seeing as the season of "eating, drinking and being merry" is coming to an end, a great big bowl of Caldo Verde just hits the spot ! 8 cups water 2 tsp fine salt 1/4 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 large onions,  peeled and quartered 5 medium  potatoes, peeled and halved chourico sausage 1or 2 links 2 cups finely shredded collard greens (6-8 leaves) 4 cups water In a large saucepan, combine water, 1 tsp of the salt, 2 tbsp of the oil, garlic, onions, potatoes and chourico, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 35 to 40 minutes until potatoes are tender when pierc...

Wishing you and your family health, happiness, peace and prosperity this holiday season and in the coming New Year. May the magic of Christmas fill your heart all year long.

Dining with one's friends and beloved family is certainly one of life's primal and most innocent delights, one that is both soul-satisfying and eternal.~~ Julia Child

Today we had the beach all to ourselves. I suppose just because it's October, and summer has ended, people shy away from the beach. I have to say, my favorite time to go to the beach is, when it is quiet, and empty, just us and the seagulls. This weekend the weather has been a constant of sunshine and 23C tempatures, the perfect excuse to grab the towels, some shades, and a good book. It was a perfect Sunday afternoon.

This salad is easy to make and has a wonderful fresh flavor. It is a great salad to bring to BBQ's or parties, and great as an quick meal. Serve two or serve twenty, just by adding more or less orzo and veggies. Grill up some chicken  or shrimp and add it to the salad to make it a one dish meal. We are still enjoying summer, so after a day at the beach, this salad hits the spot, quick and delicious ! 2 cups dry orzo, cooked in salted water and drained 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes ½ cup finely diced purple onion 3 Tbsp chopped fresh dill / 1 tsp dry  ½ cup sliced black olives 1 cup crumbled feta Cook pasta according to directions. While pasta is cooking chop vegetables and dill. Toss all ingredients together. Toss with  as much dressing as you like. Dressing: ¼ cup red wine vinegar Juice of one lemon Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste 4 Tbsp of  honey ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil Put all ingredients in a salad dressing bottl...

Happy birthday, Mr.G ! Although it’s your birthday, my mind is filled with all of the gifts that you’ve given me. The gift of Friendship, we were friends before we even dated, you are my best friend. The gift of Laughter, you can still make me laugh at the drop of a hat. The gift of Music, your beautiful voice and guitar strumming fill our life with a beautiful melody. The gift of family, our chi ldren, they could not have a better father. The gift of Time, always driving somewhere, picking up someone, your free time is often for errands. The gift of Strength, you are my pillar, how many times have you held my hand, picked me off the floor, and put me together again. The gift of Stability, all your hard work , makes it possible for me to stay home, and take care of our family. The gift of Acceptance, having me just as I am. The gift of Love, you picked me, and have defended me tooth and nail, all these years, you take care of me and show me love in so many ways. You see, since you ente...

I must warn you the following is yet another zucchini recipe! 3....2...1... Are you still there ? Oh good you are, I promise this one is a keeper. If you’ve got a bunch of zucchini you have to use up or you just can’t get your family to eat zucchini, this is your recipe! Even the pickiest non vegetable eater will love these crispy coated bites of hot zucchini goodness.  3 small to medium zucchini, sliced into sticks 2 large eggs, beaten 1/2 cup flour 1 cup panko or bread crumbs 4 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese 1/4 tsp. garlic powder Salt and pepper, to taste In a small bowl, beat eggs with a fork until frothy. In another bowl, place flour, and in a third bowl, place your bread crumbs. Toss the breadcrumbs with garlic powder and Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and set aside. Dip the zucchini sticks into the flour, then egg, and then into the bread crumb mixture. Make sure all sides get coated well.. I fried them in olive oil( just enough to cover the sticks about 2...

Ready for a simple dessert ? Fresh cherries baked with an oatmeal streusel is a simple pleasure. Served with ice cream makes it total comfort food. It takes a little bit of time to pit the cherries, (  perhaps you can   count your blessings while you do this ) but it's so worth it. The crisp comes together rather quickly. The combination of tart, bright red cherries with the crunch of the oatmeal can’t be beat. Really simple, really delicious, perfect for the lazy days of summer that lie ahead. 4 cups pitted cherries 2 tablespoons flour 1/2 sugar 1 cup oats 1 cup flour 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup butter, COLD , cubed Pre-heat oven 180º/350 Grease a baking dish (8 inch) round or square Mix sliced strawberries, sugar, and flour, Place into baking dish. Next mix, oats, brown sugar and flour, add in cold, cubed butter, and using your finger, mix till crumbly. Spread over cherry mixture. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream :)

Last week, the fantastic Mr.G and I went on a mini vacation! Well truth be told, hubby went for work purposes and I got to tag along. Every so often he goes to Lisbon for his company, and I never had the chance to go, because the "littles" were small, or in school, or in diapers and let´s face it, getting someone to watch your three children, while you go galavanting is not easy. It is somewhat similar to dropping off a basket of kitten´s at their doorstep, and running away. Kitten's are cute, but alot of work. So many times, I stayed behind, while Mr. G got to fly away for a couple of days. It always left me sad and a little bit jealous of him, his job sent him places, my "job" never sent me anywhere! I have always heard it said that  good things come to those who wait, well I believe it, I am living it now. The "littles" are not so little anymore, they have grown so much. They are my biggest supporters, when these trips arise, "mommy you have to...