Sandi is blogging from the WhistleStop Cafe kitchen. It's all about good home cooking; food, family and fun. Thousands of posts . . .

~In the south and around the world.



Friday, May 31, 2013

~ Quaggy ~

The PhotoHunt word for this week is 'Quaggy'
this should be interesting . . . because I'm not sure any of us know what that means.
I am going with a derivative of Quagmire ~ land that is shaky underfoot.
Like these steps when the water was washing down the steps of Positano.
I am still posting from Italy ~ I can't wait to see what you are posting.
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, May 27, 2013

~ Florence ~

Ciao from Firenze ~

After two days of torrential rain, we finally have blue skies.



The weather didn't slow us down (much)
All I had to do was buy a pair of rubber rain boots (leopard print of course) to get the rain to stop. My sandals from Amalfi weren't working . . .

I'll share a little prosciutto e melone and a bit of vino bianco . . .

and of course a smile from the David.

It's traveling Tuesday ~
I hope y'all traveled somewhere fun for Memorial Day.
ciao y'all ~
Sandi

Saturday, May 25, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Copper

The PhotoHunt for Today is 'Copper' ~

These are snapshots from Cesere's copper workshop in Montelpuciano
He is The Master.
Who still uses the tools of his grandfather ~
I have bought several of his pieces . . . and each one reminds me of the time spent in his shop. I'll be popping in next week. I wonder if there is a new bit of copper that will have to squeeze in my suitcase?

Check for all the other  Copper Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Monday, May 20, 2013

Positano ~ The jewel of the Amalfi Coast

I am going to try to keep up with traveling Tuesdays . . . by really traveling.

We are staying in Positano ~ the jewel of the Amalfi Coast.
From here we are able to easily hop from place to place. There is a ferry that runs to Capri and Amalfi.
This is the Most Beautiful Spot!
It has the feel of a small Italian costal town ~ a little overwhelming when the cruise ships unload. That is when you wander off the beaten path.
It is beautiful . . . no matter where you are!
Y'all enjoy the ride.
Sandi

Saturday, May 18, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Glass

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Glass'
I  remembered this group of pictures I took last year at Tenuta Santo Pietro

A collection of glass jars lying in the field . . .

abandoned . . .

waiting to be filled in the fall.

I will be there in another week ~ I wonder if the jars are still there?
I know I will be able to enjoy the wine and olive oils from their farm.

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Andiamo ~ I'm off to Italy

Andiamo ~
Finally the bags are packed and it's time to travel.
This time Friday, I will be in Rome.
I am looking forward to visiting the local neighborhood ~
The light and music of Italy. 
and to the first glass of wine ~
The first of MaNy ~
Sandi

Monday, May 13, 2013

I'm ready to Travel!

It's Traveling Tuesday
and I'm ready to travel!
and ~ I'm totally tempted to leave the laptop at home . . .

What do y'all think?
Is blogging worth the trouble ? ? ? ?

One way or the other . . . I am on the flight in 2 days.
I will be in Italy for 1 month . . .

I have just gotten my official HGTV Global Traveler bandana!
Now I am an HGTV traveler . . .

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, May 11, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Lazy

The PhotoHunt for today is LaZy.

This is the Lazy way to make a perfect apple-rhubarb crisp.

Available at your local market (hopefully!)

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Tuesday, May 07, 2013

Traveling Tuesday ~ eating in Italy

I am getting excited about the upcoming trip to Italy . . . Rome, Positano, Florence, and Tuscany. All a part of our Italian Great Escapes , remember we do this every May ~ we are booking already for 2014.
You can always join Gail and me!

So . . . recently, I have really be watching my carbs ~ trying to be a gluten free as I can be. So of course, I am a little worried about what will happen when I get to eat like an Italian. My gut is not used to it!!

But ~ I will be eating like an Italian in Italy... not at the olive garden.
As long as I chose appetizers like this and leave off the bread . . .
I think I can do it . . .
or maybe not . . .
What do y'all think?

Y'all enjoy the ride~
Sandi

Saturday, May 04, 2013

PhotoHunt ~ Under

The PhotoHunt for today is 'Under'

Which is the only way I can enjoy the beach.
From the shade under an umbrella ~
and enjoy it I do.

The View is still the same ~
I should have learned this lesson years ago!

Check for all the other  Photos on The Saturday PhotoHunt
Happy Hunting y'all~
Sandi

Wednesday, May 01, 2013

Cooking Light ~ Cooking with Rice

This month the Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club is cooking with rice.
I love Risotto . . . so I knew right away that I would search for a nice risotto recipe. The good thing about Cooking Light, is that it is so easy to search.
I keyed in Risotto-Spinach-Mushrooms and wha~laa
This Recipe for Risotto came up.

Once I actually read through the whole recipe, I realized that this is actually a Gouda and Spinach risotto with saute'd mushrooms on top. Very Nice!


Smoked Gouda Risotto with Spinach and Mushrooms
Ingredients Risotto:
2 cups water
16-ounce chicken broth (I used a porcini mushroom broth)
1 tablespoon butter
1/3 cup chopped shallots
2 cups Arborio rice or other short-grain rice
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
5 cups chopped spinach (about 5 ounces)
Mushrooms:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cups sliced shiitake mushroom caps (about 3 1/2 ounces)
2 cups sliced button mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 pound)
2 cups sliced oyster mushrooms (about 3 1/2 ounces)
1/3 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
Rosemary sprigs (optional)

To prepare risotto, combine water and broth; set aside. Melt butter in a large nonstick saucepan over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup shallots; cover and cook 2 minutes. Add rice; cook 2 minutes, uncovered, stirring constantly. Stir in 1/2 cup wine; cook 30 seconds or until the liquid is nearly absorbed, stirring constantly. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and broth mixture, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly until each portion of broth mixture is absorbed before adding the next (about 20 minutes total). Stir in Gouda; cook just until melted. Stir in spinach; cook just until spinach is wilted.

To prepare mushrooms, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms, and sauté 5 minutes or until beginning to brown. Add 1/3 cup shallots, 1/4 cup wine, chopped thyme, chopped rosemary, and minced garlic, and sauté 1 minute or until wine is absorbed. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Divide risotto evenly among 6 bowls; top with mushroom mixture, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Garnish with rosemary sprigs, if desired.

 


Now . . . let's see what everyone else has brought for our mushroom feast.
Jerry has made a recipe I am definitely going to try ~ Spelt with White Beans and Artichokes
Val is making Turkey Meatballs with Jasmine Rice
 Susan is bringing Barley Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Sara has made a loaf of Hearty Sour Rye Bread
Roz has also made a Risotto Milanese ~ you can never have to much Risotto.

Y'all enjoy ~
Sandi
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