Azoresgal~Life on an Island

Risotto is actually not difficult to make it just takes some time..no rushing, your attention and lots of stirring. Take some  Arborio rice, brown it in a little butter and slowly add hot stock a bit at a time until it's all absorbed and the rice is tender. The constant stirring breaks down the starches and makes the rice very tender and oh so very creamy. 









Shrimp & Mussel Risotto

2 tablespoons butter (or more)
1  small yellow onion, chopped finely OR 4/5 shallots which add sweetness
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup Arborio rice
1 cup dry white wine
3 2/3 cups stock (seafood, vegetable, or chicken) or up to 4 cups
500 g. shrimp, peeled and deveined
500 g. mussels (meat only)
1/2 cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
sea salt and cracked black pepper
parsley (minced)

In a large skillet melt the butter over medium-high heat and cook the garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the stock in a saucepan to a si…

When life gives you lemons  a friend gives you lemons from their orchard, and another friend gives you fresh farm eggs, there is only one thing to do...BAKE ! Our weather has been so grey and feels like we haven't seen the sun in what feels like 40 days. I decided to bake some lemon tarts ! Six lovely little lemon tarts, bright and yellow, just like the sun !
















Pastry:
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) all-purpose flour
3 tbsp (45 mL) granulated sugar
4 oz (125 g) unsalted butter, cut in cubes
1 egg yolk
2 tbsp (25 mL) lemon juice


Filling:
3 eggs
3/4 cup (175 mL) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (125 mL) melted unsalted butter
1 tbsp (15 mL) grated lemon rind
1/2 cup (125 mL) lemon juice


Garnish:

2 tbsp (25 mL) icing sugar

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Combine flour and sugar in food processor. Distribute butter over flour. With on/off motion cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs. Beat together egg yolk and lemon juice in small bowl. With machine running, pour mixture through feede…

Chocolate + Mint = Perfect Combo !  These just hit the spot, this past weekend. I still have leftover Christmas candy,one of the bags, some  peppermint patties, was crying to be put to use. I had seen some after-eight browines, on Pinterest, and just used what I had on hand instead. These are so easy peasy....and oh soooo delicious ! I used this brownie recipe, you could use a box mix as well. Pour half the batter into the baking pan, layer the mints, and cover with the remaining batter. Bake and Enjoy !








xo,Diana

If I were to put together a soundtrack for my life...one of the songs on there would have to be Bryan Adam's Heaven. It comes from one of my very favorite albums, I suppose because it is one of the first I ever bought. I am quite a purist when it comes to music,almost always, preferring the original and very stingy with covers. There are however some covers, that are right up there with the original or even better sometimes. I found this little gem yesterday, a cover by Brandi Carlile, of Heaven. It is wonderfully sweet, very pretty, nostalgic, and repeat worthy.  Needless to say, it has been added to my soundtrack.





Have a wonderful weekend everyone !

xo, Diana

This has been such a life saver in my kitchen ! It gets dinner on the table really quick, for those super rushed nights. I love that I know whats in the mix...as opposed to a mix that you could buy. It makes a simple, yummy chili, that my kids really love ! We use 2 tablespoons of mix, and I find it has just enough spice. If you want to leave out the chili flakes, go right ahead !







Chili Seasoning Mix



4 tablespoons of chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons paprika
2 tablespoons ground cumin
3 teaspoons  salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

1/4 cup of flour

In a medium container ( I just use a jar), combine chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, oregano, paprika, ground cumin, salt, black pepper and the flour.  Give it all a really good shake, and store.


***** to use


2 Tablespoons mix
500 grams ground beef
 2 cans (8 oz. eac…