Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

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Happy Chinese New Year!

15th February 2019 1600 × 1067 Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy Chinese New Year!

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tarasbusykitchen

With dining in being the only option right now I d

With dining in being the only option right now I decided to treat myself to some exquisite new table linen from @angela.mugnai.emporium - I have been coveting her designs for a couple of months now but was a bit slow off the mark before Christmas so missed out on ordering. I was thrilled to see in her new collection these delightful soft pink candy stripes. So, completely me. I love everything about them. The size, the weight.. in all honesty they are simply perfect. Roll on the weekend so I can maximise their usage. They came beautifully wrapped as you can see from my little video complete with some delicious heart shaped Italian chocolates. The fabrics used come from a fourth generation Italian family business that has been operating since 1919. Angela hand picks the most glorious designs for her collection and I have to say that if I was in the position to purchase every design I would. So, if you fancy taking your meal times up a notch whilst your favourite restaurants and bars are closed maybe take a browse of her latest ever growing collection. (Not an ad - I am just a fangirl)💗

Vintage ruffles, gold jewellery and sunshine. It m

Vintage ruffles, gold jewellery and sunshine. It must be #spring 🤸🏼‍♀️

So thankful for my beautiful umbrella on days like

So thankful for my beautiful umbrella on days like this. The most perfect design by @jasminedowling for @bluntumbrellas 💛 In fact ever since I received it as a Christmas gift from my sister I have kind of been willing it to rain enough to warrant an outing. Well, today it’s raining enough so out it came. Isn’t it dreamy? 💛

AD - What do you do if you fancy an aperitif becau

AD - What do you do if you fancy an aperitif because the sun is finally shining but it’s a “school” night? You reach for something that is going to give you that delightfully bitter hit but without the fuzzy head in the morning. I have to teach a stretch class at 8am tomorrow morning but fancy celebrating the fact that it’s half term and I don’t have to teach the kiddie-winks until 9pm on Zoom tonight. Ordinarily I would be in Cornwall in Feb half term but you know what, this year is not the norm. 🤷🏻‍♀️ That doesn’t change the fact they I still want to feel like I am on a bit of a holiday. That means that at 6pm I fancy a little pre dinner drinkie. I have recently discovered @motherrootldn ; a 100% natural, bold flavoured, alcohol-free aperitif described by one of my faves @ottolenghi as “beautiful”. Made with ginger juice, blossom honey, organic apple cider vinegar & a smidge of chilli it packs a flavour punch when mixed with soda or tonic, a round of citrus and a sprig of rosemary. It can also be revved up my mixing it into a Campari based cocktail or adding to a hot toddy on colder evenings. It’s super versatile and my bottle will be finished by the end of the week as I sample Mother Root in all its incarnations. Head on over to @motherrootldn for cocktail & mocktail recipes that will tickle your tastebuds.🍹

Beetroot Borscht - the perfect heartwarming soup f

Beetroot Borscht - the perfect heartwarming soup for this weekend. Head on over to the link in my bio for the recipe. It’s a goodun and requires little effort apart from a little chopping.💗

It’s pretty darn cold out so that’s why my acc

It’s pretty darn cold out so that’s why my accessory of choice this winter is a stylish hot water bottle. You may laugh but I was snug as a bug in a rug on my walk yesterday and definitely got some envious glances from passers by. Either that, or looks of pity for the weirdo hugging a hot water bottle. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Either way I was toastie and that was all that mattered. The hot chocolate from @thetinytastingroom May have had something to do with it too. Have you discovered The Tiny Tasting Room yet Exeter peeps? Initially a lockdown pop up, but now I hear it’s to stay. Yey to that.. it’s friendly, they have great art work and floral displays by @irisrainbow_flower_shop and the cakes look pretty darn good although yet to try! I do love a bit of indie newness in my city.🤩

It may literally be the coldest it’s been in age

We can’t travel right now and I miss it so much.

We can’t travel right now and I miss it so much. I miss the smell of warm climates when you step off the plane, discovering beautiful hidden gems amongst the hustle and bustle of a city, tasting new flavour combinations, sampling local wines, meeting new people, feeling the sun on my skin, crikey.. the list goes on and on. I am sure I am not alone and you all feel the same too. That’s why I took some time on Sunday to reminisce with my own aperativo time. That little golden hour moment pre supper or lunch where you sit and watch the world go by. Ideally in a beautiful Italian piazza for me but gazing out of my kitchen window with a peach Bellini and some ready salted crisps was just enough to transport me somewhere else in my mind. I was transported to @palazzovenezia.napoli instantly and sitting in this beautiful hidden garden behind one of the big wooden doors. Life may have taken a funny turn this past year but keeping those little memories alive of special times is getting me through. It’s all about simple pleasures right now.
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#wonderlust #travelporn #exploretheworld #europetrip #travelust #ilovetraveling #italia #rome #igersitalia #ig_italia #roma #ig_italy #instaitalia #milano #italian #milan #volgoitalia #venice #sicily #europe #tuscany #italian_places #venezia #whatitalyis #italy_vacations #toscana #madeinitaly #florence #france #mare

It may be the coldest it’s been for I don’t kn

It may be the coldest it’s been for I don’t know how long and most of the country has a thick blanket of snow (not where I live btw - feels like the only place!) but ice cream continues to be a favourite here at home. This no churn rose and pistachio ice cream stole the show yesterday at lunch. Serena even had seconds.. it’s so simple to make and a real centrepiece for a special lunch or dinner. I even snuck in a few marshmallows for that gooey, chewy vibe. Oh my, it’s a definite winner. Recipe coming soon. 🌹

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© Tara Smith 2020