WHEN Plentyonyourplate graduated from Uni, there was only one place he wanted to travel all the way around, and he achieved that dream. With backpack in hand, he toured ’shoe country’ with a friend. Yes, Italia. Italy has some hidden gems. We toured all over. From the great, and not so great parts of Milan, Venice, Verona, San Remo, Pisa, and Rome, to the deep parts of Sicily in the whirling heat. Yes, we even stopped off in Bologna, the home of the famous Bolognese sauce. When’s your Dolmio day? Nothing compares to that sauce POYP’s friend and I tasted on that occasion. Just what did they put in it? POYP is still trying to work out the recipe. If anyone knows the secret, then do email us (we promise we won’t reveal it).

If you haven’t been to Italy, where have you been hiding? Although it’s famous for its authentic pasta’s, great pizzas, and great culture (the Opera though was a little bit hard to latch on to when POYP was a kid, ) there is one underestimated product that is often left off the Radar.

Roaming foodie Natasha Al-Atassi explains all….

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EVERYBODY loves Cookies, so if you’re an absolute glutton, then this next short piece is for you.

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IN the past, there has been a few TV series that have given a microscopic view of life in parts of the UK. From the run-down council houses of Peckham in Only Fools and Horses, to the ever so posh areas of Surrey in the 70’s sit com The Good Life. Although many of us dream of living in the country, owning a little bit of farm land, growing our own fruit and vegetables, and raising chickens and hens, being able to do this may not be as difficult as having to marry into a wealthy family, or marrying your Mr Darcy just to get your hands on the quiet, or indeed good life. The fact is, now, you can have a bit of the good life – on a budget. It’s no longer a distant dream, as Jennifer Lynton explains.

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JUST a quickie to update those who are interested in Plentyonyourplate’s progress. It’s been three weeks since this site was re-launched, and the feedback has been positive to say the least.

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PLENTYONYOURPLATE has been busy trawling through the PDF Doc of MPs expenses. That old Chestnut, again. This time though, it’s a comprehensive document of how many dinners/lunches MPs have been holding with lobby groups, campaign groups, and any other group worth taking out and wining and dining in the House of Commons etc.

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ANYONE who’s ever watched Come Dine With Me on TV, will realise how daunting it must be for someone to cook, and play host to a group of complete strangers, ready to rip you to shreds like a pack of Wolves in front of the camera after, dis your cooking, and even dis your own personal space, your home. If there’s one thing Brits cherish more than anything, it’s their castle. Slag it off at your own peril.

But even if you’re not in front of the camera, playing host must still be a terrifying experience. It’s best to have a good bottle of something strong on hand to cope with the stresses and strains of pleasing a group of hungry, eager, diners, who will be beady-eye watching your every move. And Plentyonyourplate thought Big Brother was bad. We truely are an Orwellian society.

Anyhow, in Thursday’s column, Sally Beerworth indulges in a spot of Come Dine With Me. It’s her first time apparently, and she did indeed have the secret ingredient that made the meal taste all the more satisfying. Nice one Sally.

Over to her.

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