tradition...

Do you have a tradition in your family? Whether it's something grand or something very simple (like mine) I think it's great when you follow a tradition that is a part of who you are.

Well like I said mine is very simple. For nearly 35 years now, come Easter time, I have been making these 'figolli' (Maltese Easter biscuits) give or take a couple of times. I was so close to not making them this year as I have been very busy .....

but I realised that what is the point of living our lives and everything we do if we can't stop and celebrate who we are and our family traditions!

I know I'm only talking about biscuits here, but I make quite a few and hand them out to family and on the occassion I don't make them I am always asked ..did you make figolli this year? and I ALWAYS regret not making them...

I made about 19 of these plate sized bikkies..

and took the better part of 2 days to make as I bake on one day and ice them the next...

Unfortunately the decoration could have been better but they do taste great. A vanilla biscuit top and bottom with an almond filling.. I even blanched the almonds and made the meal myself. A first for me. Everyone was delighted come Easter day and made it all soo worthwhile!!

take care, Maryann

When life throws you lemons?

What do you do when life throws you lemons.... and lemons.. and lemons..? Well you cook them ofcourse!

I have had so many lemons from my tree this year I could not stand seeing them literally fall from my tree to rot. After giving some away to family I decided to have a go at making a few different lemon recipes. With the chopped up peel you see above I made candied peel... great to use in cakes or sweets..

With the juice I made home-made lemonade...

and heck I even had a go at preveserving some too!

But I think my favorite thing to make for summer from now on is GRANITA!

This is my first go at it and it was so yummy. Granita is very popular in Italy and Malta.. sort of a cross between an iceblock and a slushy... so from this...

to this!

It was delish! and if any of you would like the recipe

for the Granita click here  My kids loved this so I think I'll be trying a few different flavours this summer.. take care, Maryann