Category Archives: Hawaii (Big Island)

The fig tree is heavy with juicy fruits, so my brother picked a bunch yesterday before the rains return tonight.
Of course, lunch today will have to be Grilled Figs wrapped in Speck. The bed of salad makes it a meal, though I’m sure my Mum will want extra figs!

This is a really quick and easy recipe, and can be adapted in several variations. It is also perfect for larger parties and even those ever popular charcuterie boards, or grazing tables.
You can find the recipe at the link in profile, or if you prefer, comment FIGS below, and I will send it to you directly.

xoxo
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#loob_food #summerrecipes #easyrecipes #figs #figseason #appetizer #salad #Italianfood #Italianrecipes #gardenharvest #eatwhatyougrow #foodphotography #foodstyling #thisisitaly

A little Shinrin-Yoku (forest bathing, nature therapy) through the vintage garden here in Italy.
Vintage because it was first established 120 years ago, and vintage because the vibrant colors of sprint and summer are beginning to fade into more subdued late summer tones.

Breathe and enjoy, and I hope it will help soothe you into the weekend, just like I continue to find solace and support from nature as I deal with two old gals - I don’t really want to call them crotchety old ladies, do I? Except I just did. 😄

I’ll be making more pesto this afternoon for Sunday lunch tomorrow.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
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#loob_nature #shinrinyoku #forestbathing #naturetherapy #gardens #naturephotography #iphonephotography #italy #italiangardens #thisisitaly #hydrangea #mushrooms #porcinimushrooms #foraging #trees #moss #roots

The potted basil in the garden is lush and lots of it. A few days ago, I made a fresh batch of that divine, creamy sauce called Genoese Pesto, so I thought I’d share about it with you.
Not just the recipe, but the origins, basics and tips to make a good one at home wherever you are.

You can get to the post via the link in profile, or you can comment PESTO below and I will send you the link directly to your inbox.

I hope you will enjoy the post AND making some pesto!
xoxo
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#loob_food #pesto #genoesepesto #pestoallagenovese #pestoligure #basilpesto #pastasauce #italianfood #thisisitaly #liguria #genova #ligurianfood #tradizioniliguri #liguriantraditions #foodphotography #foodstyling #sauce #mindfulfood #mindfulcooking #mindfuleating #summerfood #summerrecipes #italianrecipes #fooditaly #italianfoodbloggers #whatitalyis

NEW SEPTEMBER ’25 CALENDAR WALLPAPER!

With all the heat and rain here in my neck of the Northern Italian woods, it is most definitely mushroom season. The king of all mushrooms - and the only one we pick - is the flavorful Porcino (Boletus eduli). No other mushroom compares, and all the “fungiatt” - the local dialect word to say “mushroom hopeful-gatherers” (the key word being hopeful) are careful not to divulge their special spots.

My brother and my niece have already been scouring the nearby Alps, found a few, and will be heading up again this week. In the meantime, here are a few in this month’s Calendar Wallpaper.

Available for laptop/desktop, iPad/tablet and iPhone/smartphone, the monthly Calendar Wallpaper can be downloaded for free at the link in profile. Or you can comment SEPTEMBER and I am happy to send you the link directly.

Happy September, and happy Labor Day weekend to all my friends in the U.S. of A.
xoxo
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#loob_nature #calendarwallpaper #mushrooms #naturephotography #forestphotography #forestbathing #shinrinyoku #September #porcini #porcinimushrooms #boletusedulis #foundforaged #foragedfood #intothewoods #forestlife #inspiredbynature #naturelover #whatitalyis #septembervibes #summertime #mindfulness

LINGUINE WITH ZUCCHINI BLOSSOM, SHRIMP AND SAFFRON

When I dashed to the grocery store yesterday I found some glorious and fresh looking baby zucchini with blossoms attached. You should have seen my face - sorry there is no equivalent e-moji!
I knew I had frozen shrimp and saffron at home, and parsley of course. So I grabbed some linguine and that became today’s lunch!

Like most pasta recipes, this one is easy, too. You only need few ingredients:
🔸Linguine (pasta) or even fresh egg Taglierini (thin tagliatelle)
🔸Fresh (or defrosted) nice shrimp, shelled and deveined
🔸Lovely baby zucchini with the blossom attached (or even just squash blossoms)
🔸Saffron powder
🔸Freshly chopped parley

and, of course: extra-virgin olive oil, coarse sea salt for the pasta water, fine sea salt and pepper for seasoning the shrimp and veggies

Full recipe to be found in the blog via the link in profile, under Recipes for Summer. It’s one of my most popular posts, so you can also find it on the home page. Or you can comment SAFFRON below and I will be happy to send you the link directly.

xoxo
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#loob_food #recipe #italianfood #pastarecipe #pasta #linguine #zucchiniblossoms #shrimp #saffron #italianlife #summerfood #fooditaly #italianfoodbloggers