MORE BLOG DELIGHTS

Over in Italy there a woman called Ilva who takes the most beautiful pictures, writes lovely things and cooks scrumptious food. The blog is called Lucillian Delights and because it is all about cooking, there is a link to it from Gardeners' Gastronomy. Here is her latest recipe but you must go and look for yourself...... TIAN OF POTATOES WITH FENNEL SEEDS AND BAY LEAVES Run fennel seeds and bay leaves in a mixer/blender (what is it really called? Or is it a question of AmE and BrE?) until they have become a powder.- Peel the potatoes and slice them very thinly.- Mix the fennel and bay leaf powder with salt and olive oil. Add to the potato slices and stir well, the slices must be covered wit oil and herbs.- Pack the slices closely together in an oven-proof dish like in the photo. Add a little water or stock, just enough to cover the bottom of the dish.- Sprinkle crumbs and parmesan over the potatoes.- Bake in a pre-heated oven (175C/350F), the first 20 minutes covered with aluminium foil and then without for 15-20 minutes or until the crust is golden and crunchy.