When we go on holiday we usually don't have an oven, so we can't make cakes and muffins for dessert or afternoon tea. Of course we can visit one of the seaside cafes where (often with a sea view) we may eat apple pie with ice cream or cheese cake with raspberry syrup. When the weather isn't encouraging or we don't want to go away, I reach for proven home desserts. Homemade kissel with fresh fruit or budino with chocolate glaze are always welcome.

Today I would like to share with you the recipe for chocolate budino for adults. If you want to prepare it for children, lose the amaretto and chili pepper. The dessert will be gentle but also tasty.

Ingredients (for 4 people)
budino
500ml of milk (you may use vege milk)
200g of dark chocolate
1 tablespoon of wheat flour
1.5 tablespoons of potato flour
2 tablespoons of amaretto
confiture
3-4 peaches
a piece of chili pepper
3 tablespoons of maple syrup

When it is too hot outside, turning the oven on could cause a heatstroke. On such days I pretend to be a lizard. I try not to move and make believe that it isn't so hot but only nicely warm. My children feel it differently and only want one dish for dinner, but the lack of dessert is most unwelcome. I refused to make any kind of complicated dessert by myself, but, to my surprise, my daughter decided to help me, and we prepared together oat muffins with chocolate crème and fruit. You have to believe me that they were excellent, or you can prepare them and see for yourself.

Ingredients (8 muffins)
muffins:
80g of butter
75g of brown sugar
170g rolled oats
2 tablespoons of cocoa
5 tablespoons of water
stuffing
150ml of 30% sweet cream
250g of mascarpone cheese
100g of dark chocolate
1 teaspoon of caster sugar
fruit and peppermint leaves

We went to the The Dilettantes restaurant in the first week of the holidays, when our children were at sports camp. It was the first time in 13 years that we had been alone for a while. Despite the stress of it being the first time my son had been away on his own for such a long time, it was a special occasion. Above all, we were able to unwind mentally. We love our children, but a short time without "Mum!" every ten seconds was invaluable. The cinema, theatre, restaurants, walking and time together – this was something we had needed for a long time.

We found the Dilettantes thanks to Trip Advisor. Sometimes, when we don't have any idea where to go, we use their recommendations. A few times we have discovered some really nice places. The recommendations depend on your taste and individual feelings, which means you get mixed results. However, we assumed that on our first day of freedom it somehow had to work out. We didn't imagine, however, that we would find a restaurant which would win over our hearts and stomachs and which would make it to our list of favorite places.

We started the dinner with light vegetable starters. Carrots with peas could sound boring, but not when the dish is done by the Dilettantes. They were part of a colorful and excellent meal served with coriander dressing, ramson and linseed crisps. I was entranced with the beetroot terrine, which made the perfect dish with kumquat, walnuts, pickled ginger and a surprisingly refreshing horseradish sorbet. They were quite big dishes, even though they were just starters, and the composition on the plate pleased the eyes, tempted with the aroma and surprised with the flavors.

Last year during the summer I very often served cold soups: traditional cold soup with beautiful colours, cucumber-peppermint cold soup and my favourite cold soup with radishes and a hint of thyme. This year we gambled on tomatoes and pepper, i.e. gazpacho. This refreshing soup comes from Andalucia. It should be prepared with the ripest tomatoes, red pepper, fresh cucumber, garlic and white bread. Depending on the province of Spain, this soup is served with diced eggs, ham, olives or nuts. In eastern Andalucia it is served also ajo blanco – gazpacho with almonds, garlic, olive oil and bread but without tomatoes and pepper. I have eaten gazpacho sprinkled with olive oil and with croutons. It was great, but I prefer olive oil and bread mixed in the soup. Prepare gazpacho the way you like it.

Ingredients (for 2 people)
3 big tomatoes
1 big pepper + half a pepper for decoration
2 fresh cucumber + one cucumber for decoration
half a chili pepper
half a small onion
1 clove of garlic
half a roll
1 tablespoon of cider vinegar
1 teaspoon of sugar
100ml of olive oil
salt and pepper
nigella and basil

When I think about fast dinner, pork chops and spaghetti always spring to mind. Though some people might disagree, it is difficult to eat this dish for every meal. Sometimes I need to serve something else. Incessantly, I look for swift and yummy dishes. One such meal is chicken with a hint of rosemary and colourful pearl barley. Serve it with your favourite salad or cooked vegetables. You can be sure that your family will be glad, and you can use your free time how you want.

Ingredients (for 4 people)
chicken
8 chicken thighs
8 slices of smoked bacon
4 cloves of garlic (2 unpeeled, 2 peeled and sliced)
3 big and 8 small sprigs of rosemary
1 teaspoon of paprika
2 tablespoons of olive oil
2 tablespoons of butter
salt and pepper
colourful pearl barley
100g of pearl barley
a bunch of chard
4-5 dried tomatoes
half a red pepper
1 tablespoon of butter