Vivian is cooking... simple but delicious!

Summer is the perfect season for a bbq, finding a side dish is not always easy though. Here's my latest ideas: a couscous salad with  fried cubes of vegetables (eggplants and zucchini) and  fresh cherry tomatoes some good olive oil, salt, pepper and thyme  or a pasta salad with fresh pasta trofie (soft thin twisted pasta from northern Italy) tuna in olive oil fresh cherry tomatoes mozzarela buffalo cheese freshly cut and chopped chives (ciboulette in french) some good olive oil, salt and white pepper  will lift it. If you add a greek tzatziki to add some moisture to the whole menu, then you have the perfect combination! No, I forgot the most important ingredient: good company to share all this :) 

  When negative vibes arise, some chocolate and nutella can set them aside and make life look good again. Check one of the two versions of my mascarpone nutella cake, both wonderful: less calories, less looks:  https://vivianiscooking.blogspot.com/2016/10/chocolate-cake-with-mascarpone-nutella.html more calories, more looks :  https://vivianiscooking.blogspot.com/2023/11/mascarpone-nutella-cake.html  Enjoy as always!

Lazy for the full version of the greek spanakotyropita (spinach-feta pie) but still craving for it? I have some alternatives for you. Make the same filling as the original recipe and  either make snails using fyllo pastry that you fold in half, oil a bit, add some filling and roll and twist like a snail (see photos) or use 2 rectangular sheets of puff pastry that you insert the filling in between and cut in pieces  Bake as usual until golden colored. Enjoy!

Looking for the perfect cake for a big anniversary full of chocolate and charm? Look no further, I got it up for you! For the 18 or 20 year of your child, your wedding anniversary, or any other big event of your life that you prefer baking by yourself instead of ordering something here's all you need (apart from tons of love for the celebrating person)... PS: Special credits to my daughter and her friend that I gave them my kitchen and made this gorgeous cake. Having done all the cleaning, I deserve some credits too, no? ;) 

  Summer is the perfect time to bake greek moussaka , as eggplants are at their best, so I highly recommend it! The caveat is that it is not an easy task and usually in summer we want to rest and recharge. In addition, frying too is not the best summer task either. So, here's an update to my original and authentic recipe of moussaka : Follow the exact recipe apart from the way of cooking the vegetables . For them, I suggest instead: you cut them in small cubes,  empty them in a big oven tray,  pour some olive oil all over, add, salt, pepper and thyme or oregano mix well bake at 200 degrees of Celsius for about 30min or until softened  My son even said that he prefers this version better :) Enjoy!

  When temperatures rise, here's a fresh idea for a light menu: Grilled salmon, cantonese rice and a nice slice of fresh pineapple!