MTChallenge June: Horse Meat Hamburger with Eggplant, Beetroot crisps, pepper ketchup in a liquorice bun / MTChallenge Giugno: Hamburger di cavallo con melanzana, barbabietola e ketchup di peperoni in panino alla liquirizia

Here I am a little sleepy and with half closed eyes as I sit here, typing at my computer. What an adventure for this month’s MTChallenge! Diabolical Arianna saparunda.blogspot.ch, who won the contest last month, launched a pretty complex challenge inviting us to cook our own version of the world famous American Hamburger. I can’t deny it, as all the staff of the challenge is very understanding when allergies and special diets ar involved I first contemplated the option of participating with a macrobiotic hamburger. That thought lasted about thirty seconds, then I realized that it had no sense at all, at least from my personl point of view on this dish. Let’s face it hamburgers must be rich, fat and rewarding. It didn’t feel quite right to stick a vegetable burger into a wholemeal bun with a tahini and umeboshi sauce. Hey, hold on a second…now that I came up with this I must admit it does sound quite appealing. Maybe I’ll give it a try soon. But anyway back to my burger. Blame it on the diet restrictions or just my own view on burgers (burger = meat), but I decided to focus on a juicy and tasty version of the American fast food par excellence. And I don’t regret it.

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.

Chocolate, Orange and Hazelnut Vegan Tart for Nevia, but not for Mimi / Crostata vegana al cioccolato, arancia e nocciole per Nevia ma non per Mimi

Veganism. A choice, a rigid lifestyle and to me, I must admit, a bit of a problem when it’s up to baking and desserts. Until a few months ago I never had to wonder about cooking or baking vegan, but then met Mimi and Nevia.