April on Instagram

got my hair straightened - visited a friend who has an amazing green thumb!

 

 

 

house hunting (you won't believe the view from this place!) - perfect morning: tea, cake and a good book (yes, 10 min of reading every morning before going to work)

 

Daddy made tiramisu - flowers from my mother in law

 

 

 

 

my friends know how to treat me!!  -  Easter in my hometown

 

 

recipe: Salmon, Potato & Asparagus Salad

 

 

This is one of the most heart-healthy salads you can eat. Perfect for a light supper or a lunch, it can be prepared quickly just before serving, or the salmon, potatoes and asparagus can be prepared up to a day ahead, then dressed just before serving.

Ingredients:

500gr salmon fillet
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
500 gr small red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed
375 gr (green) asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2.5 cm lengths
315 gr mixed baby salad greens

For the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette:
4 sun-dried tomato halves
Boiling water as needed
4 spoons of extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 Tbs. finely chopped fresh dill
1 tsp. grated orange zest
1 small clove garlic, minced
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
3 green onions, white and tender green parts, thinly sliced

Preheat the oven to 200ºC

Season the salmon fillet generously with salt and pepper. Place the salmon in a baking pan and roast until opaque throughout (use a fork to pull apart a flake of flesh and peek), 10-12 minutes. Transfer the salmon to a plate and let cool.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a saucepan and add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 15 minutes. Drain and, when cool enough to handle, peel and cut into thick slices.

In a large saucepan fitted with a steamer basket, bring 1 inch (2.5 cm.) water to a boil. Add the asparagus to the steamer basket, spread evenly, cover, and steam until tender-crisp, about 3 minutes. Remove the steamer basket from the pan and rinse the asparagus under cold running water until cool. Pat dry.

Cut the salmon into chunks.

When I did not have the opportunity to buy fresh salmon, I used the smoked version that do not need cooking.

To make the vinaigrette, place the sun-dried tomatoes in a heatproof bowl, pour over boiling water, and let stand for 5 minutes. Drain the tomatoes and finely dice. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, dill, orange zest, garlic, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a grinding or two of pepper until blended.

In a large bowl, toss the salad greens with 2 tablespoons of the vinaigrette. Add the asparagus and potatoes along with the remaining vinaigrette and green onions and toss gently. Add the salmon pieces and carefully toss just to gently coat. Serve right away at room temperature. Serves 4.


Isn’t this recipe mouth watering?

Back!

 

I am back, althought I shouldn’t.

Uhm, why?
I am still super busy!

But I miss my little corner of pictures and writing.

In case you are wondering what I am up to: house hunting, a conference in the US, the plan of a few trips (a weekend break to celebrate our 1^st wedding anniversary and Summer holidays), a wedding to attend, new duties related my job, the growing interest in sewing and cooking.

 

I am definitely more active on Instagram if you want to find out more about my (super busy) life!

busy bee

 

It's that time of the year again, when I am super busy at work and in my personal life.

Therefore I need to take a little blog-break.

 

I'll be back soon, promised!

dreaming myself in St. Tropez on a Summer night

 

 

all shoes are from Topshop

 

I made cake!

What‘s best then baking a cake on a Spring rainy Sunday? I made a carrot cake with no icing (just to lighten up on the calories!!)

This is a simple recipe that I hope will soon become a favorite, enjoy!

What you need

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (I do not like cinnamon therefore I did not use it)
Pinch ground nutmeg
1 pinch salt
4 large eggs
1-1/3 cups peanut oil (I used soy oil)
3 cups shredded carrots (about 6 medium)

1 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup raisins (optional)  (Instead I’ve add half cup of almonds)

 

Before you start : Preheat oven to 180°. Butter a round cake pan.

Lets Make It! In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt. In a large bowl,whisk the eggs lightly to combine, and then whisk in the oil. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine. Stir in the carrots and pecans, and the raisins/almonds, if using. Pour the batter in the pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean. Cool in pans on rack for 5 minutes (I normally open the oven and leave the cake inside to cool down.

and this is the result!

 

#happiness

I was reading this post from my friend Cat on her blog and I love the list of things that makes her happy.

And I thought it would have been lovely, a few days after the World Happy Day last week, to talk about happiness.

Therefore, I decided to make a list myself of things that makes me happy (not in any particular order).

  

 

Listening to husband snoring at night

Chocolate, any kind, any time, anywhere

Spring blooming
Looking at my diamond wedding ring
Teasing kids
Being successful in removing stains from favourite clothes
Looking at my home after tidying up
Receiving unexpected messages on whatsapp and wechat
A good laugh with my brother
Find a ladybug on my shoulder
Sipping tea (any kind of tea, I am just a tea lover)
Looking at the sky and its fantastic colours
The smell of fresh bread
Kissing mum
Dancing
Washing dishes (it’s not a typing mistake! My dishwasher is a saucepans storage)
Receiving compliments
Carrot cakes
Wearing red lipstick
Swim in the sea (better if naked)
My tattoo-free skin
Zumba, zumba, and more zumba
Stolen kisses
Eating biscuits with no-limit
Sewing (by hand as well as with sewing machine)
Kisses from my husband soft lips
Wearing perfume
Listening  to‘Swan Lake’ by Tchaikoswki for the millionth time



what are the top 3 things that makes you happy? 

at a fancy dress party

 

had wayyyy to much fun!!

 

 

 

dress and blazer Pennyblack, shoes Moschino

 

 

#selfie

 

 

 

just because I love this picture!

 

 

 

 

colour me pretty

How do you feel about coloured shoes?
I tend to wear coloured footwear mostly in Spring/Summer, and they are mainly sandals.
But I have to admit a splash of colour can add a fantastic touch to any (darker and Winter) outfit.
I should be more adventurous with shades! What do you think?

these rainbow shoes are from Manolo Blanhik