Christmas Turkey Recipe with Dominique Rizzo
This is a delicious Christmas Turkey Recipe I created with my friends at IGA and filmed by Wild Bunch Media!
Christmas Glazed Ham with Apricots – how to bake it
It is surprising how easy it is to bake Christmas Glazed Ham with apricots, follow this very easy recipe to create your Christmas table tasty centrepiece.
Get creative and design your own personal festive look, use ingredients that you have on hand for the glaze, add a bright Christmas ribbon to finish off the look of your Christmas glazed ham.
You will need these ingredients:
Leg of ham, brown sugar, apricots, marmalade, ginger beer, orange juice, orange zest.
This is what you do:
Blend until smooth the apricots, marmalade, orange juice and zest;
In a saucepan combine the apricot mix combined with brown sugar, salt and cinnamon and simmer for 4 minutes.
Take a sharp knife and cut around the bone at the base of the ham and then gently slice under the skin to gently lift it off.
Score the fat in a diamond design and garnish with whole cloves.
Megan Rizzo Photography
Place the ham in a baking tray and pour in the ginger beer. Bake in 190-degree oven, continuing to baste every 15 minutes.
Serve with the apricot sauce.
For the full recipe, click here.
Watch on YouTube
Enjoy this perfect Christmas lunch dish with your family and friends.
If you would like a little recipe inspiration go my Festive Cooking recipes, and then subscribe to receive my Free Ebook . Perfect for festive new year cooking. It is free when you subscribe.
5 Top Budget-Friendly Christmas Roast Tips – Christmas on a Budget
5 Top Budget-Friendly Christmas Roast Tips – Christmas on a Budget
Roasts can be the star or centerpiece of the Christmas table. Aside from fresh seafood, it can also be one of the more expensive elements to a Christmas Feast. This is a follow-up post to Christmas on a Budget, where I shared 3 top tips to get more from your meals this Christmas.
Here are my 5 Top Budget-Friendly Christmas Roast Tips:
Best buys for beef roasts are rolled rib, rib eye or round and if you are a BBQ fan then a brisket is great for that slow tender pull apart BBQ beef smothered in a smokey homemade marinade. Many less tender cuts of beef are tenderised further when cooking if you use the BBQ rotisserie.
Dress up the humble and old favourite roast chicken with some wonderful Christmas stuffings using, combinations such as apples, cranberries, sage, apricot, and pistachios or parmesan prosciutto and parsley. If you are buying your chicken from the butcher you could ask them to bone out the chicken, pick up some netting from the butcher and stuff the chicken yourself again the yield will be greater as you can then easily slice the chicken, minimal wastage and also is great cold the next day on sandwiches or with salads.
Instead of the Christmas turkey, purchase turkey breasts with the skin on, they can weigh in at 1-2kg per breast. A couple of these which is enough to feed a family of up to 12 as part of a banquet.
Pork roasts are a winner especially if you get the crackling right and the best cuts for a great pork roast is the pork loin you can also use the leg, shoulder or the belly, make sure that your butcher leaves the skin on and get them to score it for you as well. A 1kg portion will take about 60 minutes.
I love duck but it can be expensive and if you don’t know how to cook it properly it can sometimes come out a little tough, so the cheats and cheap way of a little duck with dinner is to either create a wonderful salad with duck legs or breast which you can now buy cooked and packaged in the supermarket, couscous, a couple of fresh figs, peaches, pears or fresh dates sliced, shallots, wild rocket and a wonderful orange dressing, or duck goes great with noodles, with some sliced bok choy, shredded green pawpaw and a simple Asian dressing. Heat the duck in the oven and serve it sliced with your favourite roast vegetables and a wonderful cherry sauce. You can also pick up the wonderful Peking duck in Chinatown, also a great place to shop for cheap Asian greens, herbs, and sauces.
8 Barbecue Tips For Easy Christmas Cooking
You can cook your roast in a hooded BBQ, no need to make the kitchen any hotter at Christmas.
Using the BBQ is also another option if you are running out of room in the oven if you are cooking for the masses
The Aeolian Islands, Top Travel Tips
There is so much to do and see when you travel to Sicily, and one of the most breathtaking places to visit in this area, is the Aeolian Islands.
From the beautiful north Sicilian town of Milazzo, take the ferry to the stunning Aeolian Island of Salina.
A Collection of Recipes For Summer Flavours
Recipes for Summer Flavours
Click here for your Free EBOOK – “It’s All About The Flavour” a “Thank You” for Subscribing to Chef Dominique Rizzo.
” Its All About The Flavour” a collection of delicious recipes. Above all, recipes for easy summer cooking and fresh new flavours.
Simple recipes and ideas. Firstly to help you in the kitchen, secondly to give you more time to enjoy your time with family and friends.
-
- Megan Rizzo Photography
-
- Megan Rizzo Photography
-
- Megan Rizzo Photography
-
- Megan Rizzo Photography
-
- Megan Rizzo Photography
Everything You Wanted to Know About Meal Planning
Society as a whole and the internet, in particular, seem to have finally gotten to an evolutionary point where we genuinely value eating healthy above, well, not eating healthy.
And meal planning is one of the staples of this healthy and wholesome lifestyle we seem to be embracing, or at least trying to embrace.
If you’re new to the sport, and you find it sounds like a time-saving and health-boosting practice but you’re unsure where to start, take a look at our guide on meal planning:
Why should I embrace meal planning?
There are several benefits to planning your meals, not limited to:
● You can save money, as you won’t be spending on ingredients that end up untouched.
● At the same time, you’ll be cutting down the amount of food you waste.
● You can choose to eat healthier this way.
● You can save yourself some valuable time and reduce your cooking-related stress levels.
● It’s easier to try out new recipes and foods.
Where do I start?
There are three steps to meal planning you need to add to your weekly schedule:
Image by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash
1. Choose your recipes
The first thing you need to do is actually plan out what you want to eat next week. Take into account your actual schedule: how many nights a week are you out, do you already have lunch plans on certain days, etc. When choosing recipes, try to choose things you know and love, and add in one new dish every week. You can base a variety of dishes around similar ingredients, so you minimize the risk of waste.
2. Go grocery shopping
Image by Scott Warman on Unsplash
Before you head out to the shops, compile a list of ingredients. Start with the base ingredients (the major things each dish needs, like pasta, meat, rice, etc.) and go down to the smallest condiments and spices. Once you know what you actually need, check what you already have and can use. Finally, head down to the shop and get what you need.
Another good idea is to work with seasonal ingredients and plan your meals accordingly. Also, don’t forget that some ingredients can’t be kept in the fridge for an entire week, so you may need to make more than one trip to the shops. In that case, add this second (or third) grocery run to your to-do list, and attach the grocery list too.
3. Cook
There are different ways you can go about meal prep at this point. You can prep as many of the dishes ahead (for example over the weekend) and freeze them or keep them in the fridge, then just heat them up any day of the week. Or you can prep partly (chop up your veggies, measure out ingredients, mix sauces, etc.) and cook each meal on the day, or the day before. The decision will mostly come down to your own schedule and routine – you don’t have to do the same thing each week.
What do I eat?
The beauty of meal planning is that you get to try all sorts of different dishes, and fall in love with new favorites. The internet offers such a huge range of recipe ideas that you will simply be spoiled for choice.
Here are a few suggestions:
● You can develop an AIP meal plan if you’re suffering from an autoimmune disease or digestive problems.
● You can try to add more fish to your diet by focusing on certain types of meals three times a day.
● You can contribute to the environment by eating more sustainable meals on several nights a week.
● You can lose weight by cutting down on your calorie intake through meal planning.
● You can boost your workout routine with a complementary meal plan.
The choices really are endless; all you have to do is spend some time researching meals.
Tips on staying organized:
● Store all your recipes either in the same online space or in a recipe book you can reach for at any time.
● Buy a meal planning calendar you can keep on the fridge, so you never forget what’s on the menu.
● Schedule yourself reminders to look for new recipes.
● Cut down on prep time by cooking more than one dish at a time, especially if they call for some of the same ingredients.
Once you get into meal planning, you’ll wonder how you’ve ever managed to feed yourself before. Remember that this shouldn’t be another boring chore – it’s actually a great way to have fun and eat well at the same time!
Colombian Coffee Beans & The Best Ways To Brew Them
Colombia produces 810,000 metric tons or 1,785,744,000 pounds of coffee beans every year. That’s why Colombia is a major player and ranks third in the top ten countries when it comes to coffee production.
Colombian coffee beans are famous around the world, serving the best-tasting coffee every time.
You can make different types of coffee using one coffee bean, like the Columbian medium-roast arabica beans.
In this post, you’ll learn the different things you can do with Colombian coffee beans so you can enjoy Colombian coffee in various ways.
Make a Colombian Coffee: The Chemex
It uses a medium-coarse grind, and it’s considered the grandfather of pour-over coffee makers. The signature bitter taste of this coffee is due to the use of a paper filter which removes a lot of oil from the South American coffee beans.
Now, you won’t need to add sugar because Chemex has a sweet caramel-like flavor. You probably need a little cream. Among the different types of coffee-making, Chemex uses the thickest paper filters, so the sweetest notes shine. While you can always brew fine-ground coffee beans for a less sugary flavor, it takes a longer time to brew.
Make a Colombian Coffee: The Siphon
The Siphon is also referred to as a vac pot. When making this coffee it uses a siphon that’s made from cloth, pressure, and heat to infuse water with Colombian coffee beans. The grind is finer than drop and coarser than espresso. If you like to enjoy a full-bodied taste in a moderate amount, Siphon is the right one for you. The coffee beans become a little less sweet and more fruity in a light roast.
Make a Colombian Coffee: The French Press
The French Press makes another plunger in your house. This type of coffee uses coarse ground Colombian coffee beans. The coffee beans are plunged for about three to five minutes. You’ll come up with a thick, bittersweet honeyed coffee cup that almost appeals like a French roast. Get close to the pure taste of the coffee beans, but still get a lighter and sweeter cup by brewing it for less time. The best coffee for a french press, which is roasted no more than 3-4 weeks ago and grind before brewing. To find out more, check out this site. The grind must be large. Coffee particles are the size of sand sugar. Get close to the pure taste of the coffee beans, but still get a lighter and sweeter cup by brewing it for less time.
Make a Colombian Coffee: The Stovetop Espresso
The Stovetop Espresso has been one of the most favorite types of coffee using a stovetop steamer in Colombia in the 1900s. Since the 1930s, the stovetop steamer has been the preferred household coffee-maker in South America and Europe. The grind is slightly coarser than the true coffee espresso.
The pressurized water intersperses with the fine-ground Colombian coffee whenever heat is added. It produces a lower pressure as compared to standard espresso. The resulting taste isn’t quite as bitter. This coffee-making method showcases the most bitter notes of Colombian coffee beans that came off slightly metallic and toasted malt.
Colombian Coffee Beans: Blend It With Guatemalan and Brazilian Coffee Beans
In the coffee world, blending is usually regarded as a “dark art.” Blending is a simple concept which involves combining coffee beans that come from two or more origins or different roast levels. It produces something different or a unique-taste from each type of coffee bean used.
This idea isn’t new because blending has been used when coffee was commercially produced. Now, consumers aren’t limited to one coffee type alone because blending coffee has more to offer, to suit everyone’s taste.
Here are some of the reasons why different coffee beans are blended:
● Blended coffee tends to be more satisfying as compared to those made from either one of these types of coffee beans alone.
● Large-scale roasters blend coffee and aim to produce a more consistent flavor.
● Consistently offers a coffee displaying similar flavor profiles every year.
● Come up with a decent-tasting coffee using less expensive coffee beans for volume and combined with more expensive coffee beans to improve the coffee’s overall flavor.
● Smaller-scale roasters try to improve a single-origin coffee bean combining it with another type of coffee bean. It aims to come up with a coffee blend that’s better than the sum of its parts. Blended coffee beans help people create a new and unique coffee, such as a cup of coffee with notes of chocolate or strawberry.
Conclusion
You can do many different things with Colombian coffee beans. There’s always something for everyone to enjoy, from the Chemex, Siphon, the French Press, and the Stovetop Espresso. These methods are well-known to Colombian coffee farmers themselves, with years of experience producing coffee beans and making their coffee recipes at home.
Things to Do in the Basque Country
Things to Do in the Basque Country
The Basque Country is a region in Spain known for its sprawling valleys and rugged mountains. The region attracts millions of tourists every year, as Argia reports that 4.5 million tourists visited in 2015 — a number that is likely to have only grown since then. If you’re planning a trip of your own to this beautiful region, read on for a list of things to add to your itinerary.
Explore the cathedrals
By Dflandre – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16413873
One of the best ways to appreciate the Basque’s unique landscape and architecture is to explore its two most famous cathedrals, the similarly named Saint Mary’s Cathedral and Sainte-Marie Cathédrale. The former, also called the Cathedral of Santa María, is located in Vittoria-Gastéiz, the peaceful capital of the region. The intricate details of the gothic cathedral were chiselled during its construction in the 13th and 14th century. Not too far in Bayonne, Sainte-Marie Cathédrale’s unique infrastructure makes it a popular site to visit, too. The building is made entirely out of locally sourced red and white stones and overlooks two local rivers. Both landmarks have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites and host regular tours for their visitors.
Go on a food crawl
The Spanish people have a rich food culture and history — a fact to take advantage of on your trip. An obvious place to start is with staples like paella, ham, and tapas. We’ve personally confirmed that Spain is home to the most mouth-watering tapas, and these are definitely something you shouldn’t miss out on during your visit.
In the Basque Country specifically, the place to look for is La Bretxa in San Sebastian-Donostia, a market known for its fresh and high-quality seafood. The variety of things at the market are from nearby ports, straight from the fishermen.
Visit a gaming centre
Espaldazo [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)]
For the complete European experience, you can head over to either of the two available land-based casinos in Bilbao or San Sebastian. Gran Casino Bilbao is an excellent choice if you enjoy classic table games like Blackjack and Roulette. Poker tables for games like Texas Hold ’em are also available in the facility.
Of course, the rise of online gaming portals has been both a boon and bane for land-based casinos like Gran Casino Bilbao. Although foot traffic and revenues have undoubtedly taken a hit because of the emergence of online gaming opportunities, these have also made experiences in gaming centres all the more unique, and introduced more people into the excitement of different casino activities. With this in mind, online gaming and casino magazine Expat Bets continues to provide comprehensive casino guides for expats and travellers from around the world on top of giving them a taste of popular games like Big Bad Wolf and Dragon Dance. That’s because there is much more to enjoy on both sides of the spectrum, which sites like this and Gran Casino Bilbao stand as a testament to. If you plan on dropping by the casino at Bilbao, keep in mind that you can play the slot machines from 10 am until 5 am the next day, while table games run from 5 pm until 5 am.
Learn from the museums
Bilbao is also the home of one of the world’s best museums — The Guggenheim Museum. Filled with contemporary and modern art, this attraction is a must-visit for the artsy tourist. The unique curves and appearance of the building itself is considered a masterpiece designed by architect Frank Gehry, who is known for his unconventional style.
A quainter option is found in Bayonne, in the Musée Basque. It houses over 2,000 artefacts that tell the story of Bayonne and the Basque Country, and is the largest ethnographic museum in the region.
All in all, there are hundreds of things to do for travellers who find themselves in the Basque Country, where enriching one of a kind experiences await at every corner. We love talking about Spain and other famous food destinations here on Dominique Rizzo, because like this breath-taking Spanish region, there is a myriad of places around the world to learn about and explore, sights to see, and food to taste — all just waiting for you to get there.
My Day on the Isle of Capri
When I was a mere 5 years of age was the last time I visited Capri, so really I am visiting for the first time and in all honesty, after my day on Isle of Capri, I could live here forever.
Getting to Capri is very easy.
Accessed only by boat, there are a number of companies and ports in Salerno, Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi from which it will only take you 30 minutes to an hour depending on where you are coming from and which boat you choose.
All boats arrive in the main port Marina Grande which spills into an array of tourist shops, bars, restaurants and ticket booths offering extra boat rides around the island, tours to the famous Blu Grotto, and for the local buses. There are also private taxi companies who will encourage you to jump into their sexy little convertible cars, great for groups but I chose to take the bus, 7 euro for an all-day 24 hour ticket, valid for all of the busses, most of which will take you to all of the main towns you will want to visit such as Capri, Anacapri and Marina Piccola; a great way to get around the island.
Capri is close to Marina Grande and the main piazzette where most people will hang around and wait for their departures from the island.
To best describe what to see on the island, it is easier to divide the island into its two main towns Capri and high above it Anacapri. Both of which have their own mayors, rules and regulations.
What to see in and from Capri
For people-watching, there is no better place than Piazza Umberto I, also better known as the “piazzetta” (little piazza), in Capri town. The heart of Capri’s social scene, this small yet charming square, lined with cafes and restaurants, bustles throughout the day turning into a more tranquil vibe in the evening as visiting tourists start to depart the island.
For centuries Capri has had a long history and a passionate love affair with artists, writers, aristocrats, actors and actresses and to this day it is renowned for being the place for the rich and famous to come to visit, relax and holiday; from the likes of Rita Hayworth, Axel Munthe, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Gracie Fields, Ernest Hemingway, Sophia Loren, Mariah Carey and Giorgio Armani.
Rita Hayworth
Few places in the world can boast such a high concentration of designer shops of some of the biggest brand names in the world as Capri, I was blown away with the collection of stores and I loved wandering along Via Camerelle, a definite must for any shopaholic or for that speciality piece.
I also found a fabulous Vintage & Designer shop called WOND&RLAND which was almost like a fashion house museum, with unique clothing, bags and some great homewares, a must if even just to have a look.
If you’d rather buy something which has been made on the island and which you are unlikely to come across anywhere else, there are plenty of little artisan shops and showrooms in Capri where you’ll be able to find just what you’re looking for!
Capri town also boasts a stunning coastal walk, known as the Pizzolungo, that takes you to Punta Tragara, bringing you up close to the Faraglioni rocks. Though more challenging, another option is the steep uphill walk to Villa Jovis, which takes about 40 minutes from the piazzetta in Capri. Along the way, you will pass some beautifully-kept homes with gorgeous verdant gardens — and, of course, when you get to the top, the view is amazing!
When in Capri, you also can’t miss the famous Via Krupp, the zig-zag street that leads to Marina Piccola.
Marina Piccola is perfect for a quiet stop as there are quite a few restaurants and bars dotted along the beach front and also on the road near the bus stop. We stopped at La Piazzetta ristorante, a little expensive for what it was but the views of the water and beach front were beautiful and the food was delicious especially the spinach with butter and parmesan and the fried zucchini, a must to have squeezed with fresh lemon from the local gardens; a real symbol of the island.
If you’re coming to the Capri for long stretches of sandy beach … prepare for disappointment! The beaches on the island are either pebbled, or solid rock, and you will soon see that locals and visitors alike, don’t mind relaxing on the hard rock areas that fall into the turquoise waters. In Capri town, you have some equally glamorous clubs, especially in Marina Piccola, which can be easily reached by walking down Via Krupp. Wander down the stairs just in front of the restaurant to reach the beach as it’s a perfect spot for some swimming or sunbaking on either side of the Siren’s Rock.
The most famous, La Canzone del Mare, attracts many high-profile visitors; it also offers some luxurious suites. While many of these private beach clubs come at a price, Capri town has some free beaches, too. One is in Marina Grande, close to where the ferries dock. The water is incredibly clear, but it can be extremely packed.
If wandering through ruins is your thing, then don’t miss Villa Jovis, in Capri town. The walk is a little challenging to get to and will take about 40 minutes from the piazzetta in Capri. Along the way, you will pass some beautifully-kept homes with gorgeous verdant gardens, so picturesque with the intoxicating aroma of the citrus and floral notes. The Villa Jovis is one of twelve villas built on the island by Emperor Tiberius in the 1st century AD. Spanning more than 7,000 square meters (2 acres) and built on several levels, it once housed thermal baths, servants’ accommodation and official function rooms.
“R.Buonocore” Pasticceria/Gelateria
A must to visit in Capri is the “R.Buonocore” Pasticceria/Gelateria, perfect for a coffee and to try one of their pastries. The ladies all speak English and they also have a great selection of savoury items for lunch that you can enjoy there or take away. Vegetable frittatas, baked pasta, gnocchi, stuffed vegetables and a great selection of side vegetable dishes, perfect if you are wanting something light and to steer away from all of the pasta and pizza. A definite must to try is their “Coda Di Rospo” similar to the Neoplolitan sfogliatelle but filled with a zuppa inglese creama scented with lemon, so deliciously perfect with a good espresso.
Quiet streets of Anacapri
For a quiet and more laid back atmosphere, head to Anacapri and onto the lovely garden at Villa San Michele. Considered one of the finest gardens in Italy, it not only boasts stunning views, but a serene and well-kept garden overflowing with flowers. Built by Tiberius and lovingly preserved by Axel Munthe, the Swedish physician who fell in love with Capri in the 1880s, the villa today has a charmingly refined atmosphere, helped by its formidable position perched high on a limestone ledge.
If you’d rather shop for artisanal or local products, head to Viale Axel Munthe in Anacapri, where you’ll find shops with plenty of specialized clothing and crafts.
Continuing the garden theme, head to the Church of San Michele that boasts a spectacular 12th-century, hand-painted mosaic floor depicting the story of the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. Both towns boast gorgeous views, but the view from Anacapri’s Monte Solaro is especially breathtaking. Monte Solaro is the highest point on the island with a striking 360-degree view of the island. The summit can be reached either on foot or (for a fee) by taking the chairlift.
Another fantastic Anacapri walk is along Via del Migliara, a route that dates back to Roman times; today, it winds past vineyards and orchards. Only about a kilometre long, it’s a pleasant stroll where at the end of the route, you will be treated to a fantastic view overlooking the southern coastline. From there, you can even take the path to Torre del Guardia, an ancient watchtower. To truly get off the beaten path, the Sentiero dei Fortini (or “Trail of Forts”) in Anacapri runs along the western coastline, starting from the Blue Grotto and heading to the Punta Carena Lighthouse. It’s perfect for those who want to experience the “wilder” side of the island!
One of the most popular spots among locals is Lido di Faro, where you get the sun the entire day. This exclusive beach club even boasts a seawater swimming pool, plus is renowned for its acclaimed restaurant. If you really want to do it in style, on top of the hill is the Capri Palace Hotel. Privately owned with fabulous service and an outstanding two-Michelin-star restaurant (with a one-Michelin-star restaurant at its beach club), it looks towards the island of Ischia and beyond to Naples.
Dickens said: ‘There is no spot in the world with such delightful possibilities of repose as this little isle’. I could have spent weeks here just exploring, so to Dickens I say, I will have to agree and I vow to return as soon as I can.
For those of you who are into hiking, lots of walking and step climbing here are your must visits:
Linking the port of Marina Grande with Anacapri and, for many centuries, the only way to reach the town built on the high slopes of Monte Solaro is the 921 Phoenician Steps. Chiselled out of the rock face by the ancient Greeks between the 6th and the 7th century, the steps were used by anyone who needed to transport goods from the Marina up to Anacapri. Much of the hard work was done by the women of the town who carried heavy vases, balancing them on their heads. In the late 18th century as international travellers started to visit the island, donkeys were used to carry their trunks up the stone stairs. I remember seeing the donkeys as a little girl, and people paying to ride up the steep stairs.
Deciding where to base yourself is crucial. Capri, where the main drag is Bond Street al mare, is heaving with day trippers, but by 7 pm they’re all gone and the town settles into a different rhythm.
That said, Capri town does have some stunning views, too. From the Gardens of Augustus, you also have a fabulous view of the iconic Faraglioni rocks. And from Villa Jovis, a Roman villa perched above the town, you can take in the spectacular view of the entire Bay of Naples, as well as Ischia and Procida!
Don’t miss our post on 5 of the most beautiful islands in Italy! and more on my food and wine tours.