Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook: Chocolate and Cherry Jam Cookies / Il Ricettario del Mulino di Maroggia: Biscotti con cioccolato fondente e marmellata di ciliegia e anice

Here we go, another Friday and yet again another recipe for Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook. Today with Maroggia’s Mill flours we will prepare together some decadent and indulgent cookies, freckled with dark chocolate and topped with a delicious homemade cherry jam. I am a lucky girl, my father not only has a beautiful garden which delights us all with tasty fruit and vegetables (unfortunately this year I could not pick cherries…the fruits wilted on the tree the days I was in London) but I also have generous friends who, knowing of my love for this summer fruit, had a nice thought for me.

My first foodblogging event: Food Blogger Connect ’14, London / Il mio primo evento dedicato ai foodblogger: Food Blogger Connect ’14, Londra

Two weeks. Two weeks have passed quickly since I returned from London, where attended the “Food Bloggers Connect” conference which has gathered food bloggers from all around the world. Rossella poked me the day after my return, asking me my impressions and I must apologize to her for coming so late with a post. But on my return a fresh new nephew was waiting for me along with some freelance work deadlines, not to mention the long recovery due after my “energy draining” four days in London. Add as well the titanic “Piada Menu” project and it will be quite clear to you that I needed some time to take a long breath of fresh air, sleep 8 hours against the usual 6 hours and get back on track fit and full of good intentions. Here I am, fresh as an English rose to tell you all about my adventure in London.

MTC Challenge: Piadina Romagnola

This month’s MTC Challenge was a massacre for me…never underestimate what a flatbread can do to your brain. Tiziana (last month’s winner) requested not one but 5 recipes. Yes 5 recipes, and obviously I had to come up with something different, an attitude I have always had and which eventually turns up against me like in this case.

Sourdough Surprises: Sourdough, Saffron and Black Pepper Apple Fritters, diet can wait! / Sourdough Surprises: Frittelle di mele allo zafferano e pepe nero…e la dieta può aspettare!

I admit it, when I read this month’s Sourdough Surprises theme I was very pleased, and not pleased at all at the same time! It no secret to those who know me well and see me on a weekly basis that I have gained weight. Not a lot, but still those 2 almost 3 kilos one starts to gain without noticing and then it’s almost too late. For a long time my weight has been more or less stable but probably at 33 I should take a little more care about what I eat. Well luckily summer has hit Switzerland with a terrible heatwave and I’ll probably be able to shed off the extra weight I put on. Frying was not really in my book, oh well it surely was in one book…the black one! But these fritters, oh these fritters!

Of Iranian sweets and friends / Di dolci e amiche iraniane

A mug of hot black tea, held tightly in both hands. A musical chatter, a lullaby from far. Love, friendship and pride. The language I am speaking of is farsi, and the women sitting on the floor in a tight circle, a cup of tea always filled in their hands, are my aunt’s friends.

Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook: Graham Flour Tin Loaf / Il Ricettario del Mulino di Maroggia: Pane in cassetta con farina Graham

It’s been a while I have posted my last bread recipe for Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook, what for a bread baking preacher! So here I am then, back into baking a proper loaf. This one is perfect for a tasty breakfast, it’s dough is so soft and fragrant you won’t believe it! Graham flour, I just can’t get enough! It surprises me every time, with its rich flavor and rough texture which I find irresistible. This loaf will make your taste buds dance the cha-cha-cha!

Ricotta and Candied Ginger Cheesecakes / Cheesecake di ricotta allo zenzero candito

These cheesecake are a typical example of fridge-emptying experiment. I had some ricotta cheese getting close to it’s expiry date, too many fresh eggs from my aunt’s happy hens and some candied ginger and syrup which I made during Christmas time, languishing unused in the pantry. In a few minutes I pulled together this recipe, not really considering publishing it on the blog.

Twelve Loaves June: Cherry and Beetroot Buns wrapped in Bacon / Twelve Loaves: Panini al latte con ciliegie e barbabietola avvolti in pancetta

With the start of a new month one of my favorite baking appointments, Twelve Loaves, comes too. What I like the most is when we choose an ingredient rather than a generic theme, such restrictions are always a good starting point to feed the imagination! Besides it’s too interesting to see how everyone interprets differently the monthly ingredient. For June, choice fell on cherries, a fruit that I love – a picture of me as a child testifies it, my face is completely plastered with juice and bears an unmistakable expression of satisfaction…”cherry thief”! – and for which it’s easy to fall into the temptation of baking a sweet bread.