Only Recipes, by Alessandra Zecchini ©

A quick one bowl dinner with only three main ingredients and a few seasonings. The main ingredients are was to find in most Asian stores: fresh noodles, fried tofu and some kai lan (Chinese broccolini). As an alternative you can use regular broccolini or any green vegetable (bok choy or kale, for example). Wash the broccolini, heat one or two tbsp of vegetable oil and a few drops of sesame oil in a pan or wok, add the broccolini and sauté quickly then add some soy sauce (one or two tbsp) and cover for one minute. Add the tofu and (optional) 1 tbsp of lemon juice. Personally I love tofu with soy sauce and lemon! Add the noodles and stir well, cover and simmer on low for a minute or two. Done! Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini  ©

Impress your guests with homemade chocolates! They are easy to make and You need only two ingredients to make these chocolates: some dark chocolate (your favourite, I like to use over 70% dark) and some Italian  hazelnut paste , I got mine in Auckland from  Italian Foodies . Step 1 Melt the chocolate at  bain Marie  and line the chocolate moulds (I used silicone moulds). For each mould you will probably need about 1 or 2 tsp of chocolate, let it run to cover the bottom and sides of the moulds and then place the mould in the fridge IMMEDIATELY so that the chocolate sets quickly (you don't want it to roll down the sides and just fill the bottom of the moulds). Use only half of the chocolate, leave the rest in the bowl and keep warm (so it won't solidify).  Step 2 After 15 or 20 remove the moulds from the fridge and fill with the hazelnut paste, then cover with the remaining melted chocolate. Refrigerate. Step 3 Before serving remov...

Homemade mascarpone with Tawari honey, pistachio and dried strawberries Making mascarpone at home is one of my favourite occupations these days! A part from the 'magic' of it, and the resemblance to a chemistry experiment (I made this with Max, actually, he made it with me in the background giving instructions and liked doing it!) it is also so much cheaper, fresh and delicious that the one you buy!  For the mascarpone recipe just click   here , it is easier that you may think! When the mascarpone is ready just add a tbsp of honey (I used  Airborne Tawari Honey ) and fold. Divide the mascarpone into 4 cups and it is ready to be eaten or topped with what you fancy.  For this recipe I just toasted a few pistachios in a pan, then I rub them with a tea towel to take away loose skins and chopped them coarsely. Then I also added some  Fresh As  dried strawberries, crunchy and full of flavour and aroma. A simple dessert that everyone loved...

My kids go crazy for these! Only three ingredients Ingredients: edible flowers  (I used zucchini flowers and borage flowers - but any edible flower will do) tempura flour oil for frying Clean and wash the flowers. Mix the tempura flour with cold water to make a batter, then add the flowers. Spoon into hot oil and pan fry on both sides until the fritters are golden. Serve hot. Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini  ©

Look at this beautiful beetroot! Eat it raw or cook it! Below is a picture of the cooked one. For a simple salad cook the beetroot al dente, and then cool it under cold water and add extra virgin olive oil, lemon and salt. Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini  ©

1 large red beetroot, 6 large carrots, 4 stalks of celery, half a cucumber and 6 pears. Photos and Recipes by Alessandra Zecchini  ©