FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD
Cooking, Baking and Eating Out
SHALL WE START WITH BAKING?
Yes, let's! Given that developing new recipes for cakes, cookies and various desserts is one of my favorite things to do with food. It empties my mind of everything else and relaxes me.
On this website, you will find many recipes in various categories available for free.
That said, I have recently curated a selection of baking recipes - retested and perfected - and for which I share all possible tips for best outcome. I am making them available as downloadable PDF ebooks, and you can find out more about that and get to the shop through the link in the images below.
now all the other recipes
...both cooking and baking!
Given my first nationality, my recipes are, for the most part, based in the Italian tradition. However, you cannot travel to or live in other countries and cultures without being influenced by them.
Good food is good food, so you might find some recipes that are still mostly from my
Italian roots, but with a bit of a twist - especially from Hawaii.
You can easily find all the recipes in various categories through the Top Menu above under Food, then Recipes. But for your ease, I have also grouped them by season, which you can get to by clicking on the relevant images below.
WILL TRAVEL FOR FOOD!
I most definitely will, how about you?
Wherever I plan to visit, I will certainly scout out good places to eat. However, sometimes I will plan a trip somewhere around a particular restaurant, bakery, tea room etc.
I have a friend who may not plan a whole trip, but will certainly do a detour for good soft serve ice cream. And after what I have seen in her social shares, who can blame her!
The best way to find specific eatery category by place is to go to the Top Menu again, under Food.
However, once again, for your ease of exploration, I have some main categories by location right below. Just click on them and make plans.
I do my best to keep things updated and relevant.
In my listings, I cover all good eateries, from fancy ones to simple but good. This includes restaurants, bistros, cafes, coffee shops, tea rooms, bakeries & patisseries, ice cream shops, deli & specialty food shops, food trucks, wineries.... It can be expensive or cheap, if it's special it gets listed.
HEADED TO NORTHERN ITALY?
You might find my free e-book helpful
SOME FOOD STORIES
you should not miss
Buon Appetito!
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Gugelhupf (Bundt Cake) with Orange, Rosemary and Cranberries 🍊
New Curated Recipe 😋
The Holiday baking season is fast approaching, so I am doing my best to release as many curated recipes as I possibly can to help satisfy your baking cravings 😄
My long time favorite bundt cake has been revamped for the Holidays with Orange, Rosemary and Cranberries. Plus a touch of rum because… well, it’s just so good!
A tender, buttery cake that is easy to make and has a winning combination of flavors.
$4 - Available as a downloadable PDF through my shop at the link in profile @lifeoutofbounds
What you will find in each e-book:
🍊 Exact recipes (in grams) that are fine tuned and perfected
🍊 Recipe-specific tips for best outcome
🍊 Overall baking tips (for less experienced bakers)
🍊 Essential steps images as needed
🍊 Steps summary
🍊 Live Amazon links to special ingredients and utensils (just in case)
🍊🍊 Available in either English or Italian
Happy Baking!
M
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#gugelhupf #bundtcake #holidaybaking #curatedrecipe #ciambella
New October ’26 free Calendar Wallpaper 🍁
Of course the fiery colors of fall had to be featured in this calendar wallpaper. Colorful maple leaves to balance out spring’s soft pastels.
Download it for free for all your devices at the link in my profile @lifeoutofbounds 🍁
I hope you will enjoy this new calendar wallpaper and that your October will be vibrant!
Blessings and love
M
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#autumnleaves #calendarwallpaper #mapletree #colortherapy #freebie
New Curated Recipe for the Fall/Winter Festive Season! 🧡
“Festive Maple Pumpkin Bread”
A crowd-pleaser that is tender, moist and rich in flavor. Easy to make, too!
I have been making this pumpkin bread recipe since my restaurant years, and have recently revamped it and made it more festive with the addition of cranberries, pecans and a rum glaze.
$4 - link in profile to purchase the downloadable PDF e-book
In there you will find:
- exact recipe that is fine tuned and perfected
- recipe-specific tips for optimal results
- overall baking tips for the less experienced
- essential steps images
- steps summary
- live Amazon links to special ingredients & utensils (just in case)
AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND ITALIAN
Happy Baking!
🧡
M
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#curatedrecipes #pumpkinbread #bakingforfall #bakingfortheholidays #pumpkinseason
New September ’26 Calendar Wallpaper
I will give into being cliché and say: “Can you believe tomorrow is September already? Because I can’t!”
Don’t get me wrong, I love September - it’s my birthday month after all, and when the weather holds (which it does here in California - though not necessarily in my area of Italy) it can feature a very pleasant, softer summer.
But then comes October, which is still ok, except it’s the beginning of socks and coats weather.
THAT is what I don’t like, as it goes on and on and on and on and on and on….
My ideal weather is Honolulu, by the ocean: 82°F max during the day, 75°F min at night, and trade winds to keep the humidity and mosquitoes away.
Which is why September’s calendar wallpaper looks refreshing and spring-like, with this lovely bunch of chamomile daisies that I could not resist at the store.
I hope it will lift your spirits as it does mine.
Go to the link in profile @lifeoutofbounds for the free download (for all your devices) and have a wonderful September!
xoxo
M
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#calendarwallpaper #chamomile #flowers #daisies #freebie
AUGUST ’26 FREE CALENDAR WALLPAPERS
Have you ever made home-made butter? It is so easy and so good!
Swipe the carousel to find out what you need and the 4 simple steps.
And fresh, home-made butter is featured on the new Calendar Wallpaper for August. And I can’t believe it’s already August, can you? We are already halfway through summer, when I could have summer (though maybe not quite so hot) all year round.
As always the digital wallpaper is available as a free download for all your devices through my links in profile @lifeoutofbounds
I hope you will enjoy it and have a fantastic August…. and maybe make butter (see quick recipe below).
xoxo
M
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What you need to make butter:
1) fresh, heavy whipping cream
2) electric mixer (hand held or stand up)
3) only if desired: sea salt and your favorite fresh herbs for flavoring
Steps:
1) whip the cream till it separates from the buttermilk (about 10 minutes)
2) press together the butter and remove it from the liquid (which you will filter and save for another use), and wash the butter well in iced water (3 times)
3) if desired, season it with salt (go easy on this) and/or herbs
4) make a log and wrap in cling wrap, or place it in a serving bowl, and refrigerate
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#homemadebutter #butter #recipe #homemade #calendarwallpaper
