Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Saturday, June 08, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ GRIN

The PhotoHunt for this weekend is 'Grin'

There was one thing in Italy that always made me GRIN.

These are all street signs that have been enhanced by Clet Abraham

His street signs are scattered on random corners . . . making for a fun scavenger hunt. 

He is an artist who has been leaving his mark all over Florence . . . and the rest of Italy.

I spotted this angel near the Vatican in Rome.

This obviously used to be a Clet . . . the faint outline is still there.

How can these NOT make you GRIN?
Check for all the other Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt for LoTs of GRINs today.
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Wednesday, June 05, 2013

Cooking Light ~ Fresh and local

Our Virtual Supper Club for June is featuring 'fresh and local'.  . .
Not easy since I am actually still in Italy.

I decided to combine my fresh and my local when I went to Cooking Light and found this recipe for Tomato Basil Pesto Pizza
I used my fresh basil and tomatoes before I flew out . . . and made a quick and easy pizza ~ representing my current  'local'.
I did decide to try Rudi's gluten free pre-made pizza crust (which I thought wasn't bad . . . until I landed in Rome )
Tomato Basil Pesto Pizza
1 prebaked pizza crust (such as Mama Mary's brand)
  Cooking spray 2 tablespoons commercial pesto
1 cup (4 ounces) thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese
2 cups chopped tomato (about 2 large)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
 
Before I post the directions from Cooking Light ~ I beg you ~ take an extra 2 minutes and make your own pesto. Fresh basil, a few pine nuts, and olive oil to blend. It will taste so much better.

 Now . . . the directions from Cooking Light:
Place crust on a baking sheet; bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Spread pesto evenly over crust, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Top with mozzarella cheese slices and tomato; sprinkle with pepper. Bake at 450° for 5 minutes or until cheese melts and crust is golden. Sprinkle with basil.
The best part of making your own basil is this ~
Scooping the blender clean with a ball of fresh mozarella.

I cooked my pizza on a hot grill ~ and then we enjoyed it with a glass of wine on the porch.



 

Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our Fresh and Local feast.
Jerry has made Risotto with Shrimp and Asparagus
Val is making Baby Beets with Walnuts, Goat Cheese and Greens
 Susan is bringing Spinach with a Garlic Vinaigrette
Sara is making Rhubarb Maple Philo Stacks
Roz has a bowl of Tomato Basil Soup

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi

Saturday, June 01, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Quaggy

The PhotoHunt for this weekend is 'Quaggy'
We had one quaggy day in Positano ~

The rain would come and go ~

but . . .  a quaggy day in Italy, is still a day in Italy.

Check for all the other Quaggy Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Friday, May 31, 2013

~ Quaggy ~

The PhotoHunt word for this week is 'Quaggy'
this should be interesting . . . because I'm not sure any of us know what that means.
I am going with a derivative of Quagmire ~ land that is shaky underfoot.
Like these steps when the water was washing down the steps of Positano.
I am still posting from Italy ~ I can't wait to see what you are posting.
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, May 27, 2013

~ Florence ~

Ciao from Firenze ~

After two days of torrential rain, we finally have blue skies.



The weather didn't slow us down (much)
All I had to do was buy a pair of rubber rain boots (leopard print of course) to get the rain to stop. My sandals from Amalfi weren't working . . .

I'll share a little prosciutto e melone and a bit of vino bianco . . .

and of course a smile from the David.

It's traveling Tuesday ~
I hope y'all traveled somewhere fun for Memorial Day.
ciao y'all ~
Sandi

Saturday, May 25, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Copper

The PhotoHunt for Today is 'Copper' ~

These are snapshots from Cesere's copper workshop in Montelpuciano
He is The Master.
Who still uses the tools of his grandfather ~
I have bought several of his pieces . . . and each one reminds me of the time spent in his shop. I'll be popping in next week. I wonder if there is a new bit of copper that will have to squeeze in my suitcase?

Check for all the other  Copper Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, May 20, 2013

Positano ~ The jewel of the Amalfi Coast

I am going to try to keep up with traveling Tuesdays . . . by really traveling.

We are staying in Positano ~ the jewel of the Amalfi Coast.
From here we are able to easily hop from place to place. There is a ferry that runs to Capri and Amalfi.
This is the Most Beautiful Spot!
It has the feel of a small Italian costal town ~ a little overwhelming when the cruise ships unload. That is when you wander off the beaten path.
It is beautiful . . . no matter where you are!
Y'all enjoy the ride.
Sandi

Saturday, May 18, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Glass

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Glass'
I  remembered this group of pictures I took last year at Tenuta Santo Pietro

A collection of glass jars lying in the field . . .

abandoned . . .

waiting to be filled in the fall.

I will be there in another week ~ I wonder if the jars are still there?
I know I will be able to enjoy the wine and olive oils from their farm.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Andiamo ~ I'm off to Italy

Andiamo ~
Finally the bags are packed and it's time to travel.
This time Friday, I will be in Rome.
I am looking forward to visiting the local neighborhood ~
The light and music of Italy. 
and to the first glass of wine ~
The first of MaNy ~
Sandi

Monday, May 13, 2013

I'm ready to Travel!

It's Traveling Tuesday
and I'm ready to travel!
and ~ I'm totally tempted to leave the laptop at home . . .

What do y'all think?
Is blogging worth the trouble ? ? ? ?

One way or the other . . . I am on the flight in 2 days.
I will be in Italy for 1 month . . .

I have just gotten my official HGTV Global Traveler bandana!
Now I am an HGTV traveler . . .

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, May 11, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Lazy

The PhotoHunt for today is LaZy.

This is the Lazy way to make a perfect apple-rhubarb crisp.

Available at your local market (hopefully!)

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Traveling Tuesday ~ eating in Italy

I am getting excited about the upcoming trip to Italy . . . Rome, Positano, Florence, and Tuscany. All a part of our Italian Great Escapes , remember we do this every May ~ we are booking already for 2014.
You can always join Gail and me!

So . . . recently, I have really be watching my carbs ~ trying to be a gluten free as I can be. So of course, I am a little worried about what will happen when I get to eat like an Italian. My gut is not used to it!!

But ~ I will be eating like an Italian in Italy... not at the olive garden.
As long as I chose appetizers like this and leave off the bread . . .
I think I can do it . . .
or maybe not . . .
What do y'all think?

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, May 04, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Under

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Under'

Which is the only way I can enjoy the beach.
From the shade under an umbrella ~
and enjoy it I do.

The View is still the same ~
I should have learned this lesson years ago!

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Cooking Light ~ Cooking with Rice

This month the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club is cooking with rice.
I love Risotto . . . so I knew right away that I would search for a nice risotto recipe. The good thing about Cooking Light, is that it is so easy to search.
I keyed in Risotto-Spinach-Mushrooms and wha~laa
This Recipe for Risotto came up.

Once I actually read through the whole recipe, I realized that this is actually a Gouda and Spinach risotto with saute'd mushrooms on top. Very Nice!


Smoked Gouda Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms
Ingredients Risotto:
2 cups water
16-ounce chicken broth (I used a porcini mushroom broth)
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup chopped shallots
2 cups Arborio rice or other short-grain rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
5 cups chopped spinach (about 5 ounces)
Mushrooms:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 3 1/2 ounces)
2 cups sliced button mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced oyster mushrooms (about 3 1/2 ounces)
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

To prepare risotto, combine water and broth; set aside. Melt butter in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup shallots; cover and cook 2 minutes. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup wine; cook 30 seconds or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 20 minutes total). Stir in Gouda; cook just until melted. Stir in spinach; cook just until spinach is wilted.

To prepare mushrooms, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté 5 minutes or until beginning to brown. Add 1/3 cup shallots, 1/4 cup wine, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and minced garlic, and sauté 1 minute or until wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Divide risotto evenly among 6 bowls; top with mushroom mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

 


Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our mushroom feast.
Jerry has made a recipe I am definitely going to try ~ Spelt with White Beans and Artichokes
Val is making Turkey Meatballs with Jasmine Rice
 Susan is bringing Barley Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Sara has made a loaf of Hearty Sour Rye Bread
Roz has also made a Risotto Milanese ~ you can never have to much Risotto.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi
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