ZUCCHINI . . . THIS MAGIC VEGETABLE MAKES POSITIVELY ADDICTIVE ZUCCHINI FRITTERS

July 14, 2026July 13, 2026 / belocchio / 4 Comments

I have a magic zucchini factory in the garden. One minute beautiful yellow flowers. Close your eyes and POOF elegant slender zucchini. One must lift the safe-guarding prickly leaves to be sure to find every zucchini. You want them just the right size. Not too big and not too small. You gather intoxicating handfuls of mint, dill and parsley. It is these herbs that make this particular recipe for zucchini fritters so delicious. Toss in some cubed feta cheese and you are away to the races.

Put small dollops of your zucchini mixture into the saute pan. They are perfect for appetizers. Serve them with a simple little dipping sauce of mayonnaise sparked with Sriracha sauce and thinned with a little white wine vinegar.

Or use a large amount of the mixtures for generous sized fritters perfect for a meal. Garnish with a smattering of Greek yogourt and a sprinkling lemon zest and a little sea salt. Add a simple tossed salad and you have the ultimate summer meal.

A reminder to all zucchini growers. Zucchinis have one dreadful habit. Miss more than one day of checking your garden and your tender green lovelies will morph into giant sized vegetables over night.

This taste of summer awaits you in MRS.BUTTERFINGERS kitchen.

WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A BOWL OF CHERRIES MAKE CLAFOUTI AUX CERISES (cherry clafouti)

July 8, 2026July 4, 2026 / belocchio / 10 Comments

One has a rather small window to make this classic French dessert. It’s a bit of a waiting game. First you wait patiently for the first of the dark, sweet cherries to make their grand appearance. I shop almost daily in our lovely, quiet and delightfully old-fashioned village. We have a wonderful locally owned grocery store in Ladner. JARRY’S feature local and regional products. I have been buying shiny, ruby red cherries every day for a week or so, and today the cherries were deeply rich and sweetly ripe. This is where the waiting and tasting game pays off. The cherries are perfect for clafouti.

Clafuti is a crepe like batter poured over cherries and baked in a very hot oven. There are many recipes for this seasonal dessert and they are all variations of melted butter, flour (not much) a bit of sugar, several eggs , milk and ripe, plump cherries. It is traditional to leave the pits in the cherries. It adds to the flavour of the clafouti. Just remind your guests about the pits.

This very, very French dessert is easy to whip up and pop into the oven about two hours before you want to serve it. At the last minute I dust it with a little icing sugar. You can serve it warm or cool.

The recipe for CHERRY CLAFOUTI awaits you in MRS.BUTTERFINGER’S kitchen. Bon Appetit dear friends.

DECADENT DATE SQUARES . . . aka MATRIMONIAL SQUARES

July 6, 2026July 6, 2026 / belocchio / 10 Comments

I will never forget the first time I tasted date squares. It was 81 years ago. I was still in public school. My best friend’s Mom was an excellent cook and baker. One day after-school she served us a treat that had me over the moon. A sweet square that looked a little crumbly around the edges . One bite and I was swooning over a rich, buttery, caramel enhanced oat crumb with an intensely exotic filling of dark, sweet dates. She called these magical morsels matrimonial squares. Even the name was wonderful. Matrimonial squares. Were these a special creation for weddings? Or did they bring about marriage?

Date squares (matrimonial squares) were my first introduction to baking squares. None of my cookbooks had a section for “squares”. My cookbooks were published in the thirties and early forties and were all that was available. I had started baking around l945. I asked for the recipe and these many years later I am still baking Mrs. Rybka’s Matrimonial Squares.

This old fashion square is a treat any time of day. Date Squares are perfect with morning coffee (think of all those healthy rolled oats). A sublime dessert lavished with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. They are calling you name from MRS.BUTTERFINGERS kitchen.

THE SECRET TO COOKING PERFECT CORN ON THE COB

June 24, 2026June 24, 2026 / belocchio / Leave a comment

This buying corn on the cob is “hands on”. You search for freshest, fattest cobs. Fat cobs mean plump kernels . The husks should be fresh, green and the corn silk wispy and delicate. There should be a fragrant whisper of a sunny garden. A guarantee your corn was freshly picked.

This is the secret to tender, juicy corn. Corn on the cob takes from thirty seconds to one minute(definitely no more) to cook. Use the largest stock pot you own and fill with water. DO NOT ADD SALT. DO NOT ADD MILK. When the water comes to the boil add the cobs of corn – one for each person. Cook for thirty seconds to one minute depending on the size of the cob. DO NOT LEAVE CORN in the now warm water. Cover extras loosely with tin foil. Better still – repeat the performance from the beginning for an absolutely perfectly cooked cob of corn.

To serve spread lavishly with butter. Season with salt and sea salt. For the enthusiastic corn on the cob devour-er you could add finger bowls and generous linen napkins.

PATCHING JEANS SASHIKO STYLE . . . WITH A LITTLE THRIFT SHOP HELP

June 19, 2026June 18, 2026 / belocchio / 3 Comments

The jeans had been mended not once but three times. They had done yeoman’s duty in the garden. They had moved furniture into a new house. Their knees worn thin sanding an old floor. Pruning an apple tree had left a large tear. Every worn mark was a memory. Not to be discarded. Each permanent wrinkle and scrunch represented how many cars polished. A roof repaired. A window replaced. They were a pair of jeans with a history of accomplishments and jobs well done. Not to be discarded but repaired to continue a life of of challenges, and sometimes to simply sit on a bench in the morning sun.

My machine does not have an arm that allows one to easily sew patches on blue jeans. My solution is to undo the outside legs. For rough wear jeans I cut the front pant leg close to the seam after I have unpicked a little of the hem each side of this seam. I cut the seam open just high enough to work comfortably with the patch. I suggest you don’t use this method with closely fitted jeans. You lose a half inch on each side seam.

To repair jeans (when you don’t have any old jeans ) a thrift shop is the answer. I buy bargain priced dark blue jeans at the DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP in the village of Ladner, B.C. I salvage as much of the jeans as possible. Removing the zipper and cutting leg off using the leftover bits and pieces for other projects.

Measure the area to patch and cut two pieces the same size. Try to round out the width of the patch to even inches. It makes drawing the sashiko lines simpler.

Pin the patch to the jeans making sure you are leaving room to sew the side seam.

Use a jean needle or a #16 needle to saw this heavy fabric.

Sew the patch on with dark thread using an overcast stitch to prevent too much fraying. Give the patch a good press to smooth the fabric.

Using the width of the ruler mark vertical on the fabric.

Use heavy white cotton thread (I used quilting thread) if possible for the top thread. Black in the bobbin. Do not back stitch at any time. Leave extra long tag ends at the beginning and end of each row. Pull the white thread through to the back and tie off with a strong double knot.

Sew the side seams together in a half inch seam. Sew with the back leg of the pants as the top fabric. Use the old edging as a sewing guide.

When sewing the side seam you will need to blend the original seam wear it joins with the new seam. The easiest way is to unpick a few of the original stitches to “finagle” them to meet with a flat join. It might not be perfect but this is not haute coture sewing. Give the side seams a good press – pressing them to the back of the jeans.

Sashiko is a type of Japanese stitching used for decorative or functional reinforcement. I have reinterpreted the concept of a sashiko visible mend with the dark blue jean fabric and machine sewn white thread. You could use this method to patch a jean jacket or a blue work shirt.

These jeans were patched two years ago. Enthusiastic wear and long days in the garden exhausted the jeans. They had to be retired. Permanently. There seemed to be more patches than jeans. I plan to use them the next time I make a garden scarecrow.

THE PERFECT PARIS LAMP . . . A THRIFT SHOP BARGAIN

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 / belocchio / 2 Comments

I love the French lamps I see in magazines and books . They have an elegant slender shape. A quiet, old world finish. They discreetly murmur of all things French and chic. One could find these lamps in shops specializing in expensive home accessories. Better still and at a bargain price simply create them yourself.

These brass lamps were popular a few decades ago. Check out your local thrift shop for bargain finds. I found several lamps at the Delta Auxiliary thrift shop in the sweet village of Ladner. Look for lamps that feel very heavy. They are the quality you want. These shiny, brass lamps are basically all the same style. It is easy to find pairs (or almost look alike pairs).

When you bring your budget treasures home give them a good wipe with a little soap and water, then wipe well with vinegar and water and dry thoroughly.

To begin your French creations you’ll need:

.Spray paint primer (in gray or beige/light brown) You’ll get the best results if you buy Krylon Spray paint. You need a primer that self-etches to brass.

.White latex flat wall paint. Any shade will work. This is an opportunity to use up those odd bits of white you have left over from other decorating projects. You use very little paint so if you don’t have any pick up a sample can from your paint dealer. They have small containers for very little money.

Before you spray paint wrap the light cord and the top part of the lamp with masking tape. This will protect from over spray.

Make yourself a spray booth out of a big cardboard box. Do this in the garage with the door open, or outside. Use a face mask and follow the directions on the can. Spray lightly, doing a couple of coats. This prevent paint runs.

When the primer is dry (about an hour) you’re ready to start creating. Cut an old white t-shirt into generous squares. Dampen these. Now lightly paint (almost dry brushing) the white paint over the lamp. immediately start wiping it off with the damp cloths. For the first go around don’t try to bury the grey, just glaze it. This may be the effect you want. Dark grey shadowed with white. The primer really “grabs” the white so if you want the darker look you need to be quick off the mark when you wipe. NO PRESSURE. If you don’t like the effect just spray it again and start over. You CAN’T make a mistake.

I wanted a lighter base so I repainted my base with a second more solid coat of white, and then just wiped it so I had highlights of a greyed white. Let dry an hour and you’re done.

The absolutely newest look in home decor is various shades of brown, beige, off white – anything but colour. For this different look spray paint with a light brown primer and then follow the above directions. The very best part of your do it yourself lamp base painting you can create in ANY colour. Primers come in a variety of colours – the choice is yours.

My dear friends, Through the years I have written about the DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP in my blogs. It is an important part of our community and Auxiliary volunteers are the reason we continue to have this hospital in Ladner. I am a volunteer in our Thrift Shop. I enjoy sharing my adventures with you about this outstanding Hospital Thrift Shop. Thank you for being part of my life. Virginia.

This is a past blog. I posted it again in light of the struggle the volunteers have been going through the last several weeks. We volunteers and the community are so happy to have our THRIFT SHOP back. The Board of Directors are gone.

WE WON! WE W0N! THE DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY HAS REMOVED THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

June 15, 2026June 16, 2026 / belocchio / 2 Comments

Monday June 15th, at an Extraordinary General Meeting, THE DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY volunteers took back control of their beloved THRIFT SHOP.

By secret ballot volunteers voted 83% to remove the Board of Directors.

Every chair in the room was filled. More chairs were brought in. They ran out of chairs. Volunteers lined the walls happily standing for more than three hours. The three doors of our THRIFT SHOP are open. We are back in business. Returning the DELTA HOSPITAL AUXILIARY THRIFT SHOP to the community.

WHEN LIFE HANDS YOU A LEMON . . . SMILE AND WHIP UP THIS EASY LEMON LOAF

June 14, 2026June 14, 2026 / belocchio / Leave a comment

This is an old fashioned recipe truly whipped up in a few minutes using your stand mixer. The trick is to have ALL your ingredients at room temperature. Even the lemon. While your loaf is baking you conjure up a lemon syrup and as soon as your cake has cooled 10 minutes you pour on the syrup. It is important that you don’t let your cake cool down too much. The warm loaf absorbs the syrup. The lemon loaf ‘s flavour improves the longer you let it sit.

Have all ingredients at room temperature.

Grease a loaf pan and line with parchment paper. Oven temperature should be 350F.

Sift 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt onto sheet of wax paper and gently mix.

In standing mixer using your whisk put in 1/3 cup unsalted butter, 1 cup sugar and whip until light and fluffy. Add two eggs and whisk well. Add 2 tsp lemon rind.

Have ready 1/2 cup milk and 3 tb lemon juice

Add the flour 4-5 tb. at a time alternating with milk. Last should be flour. Have your mixer on lowest speed and just barely mix each addition. Over mixing when you are adding flour will toughen your cake. Add your 3 tbs lemon juice barely mixing

Pour into your prepared loaf pan and bake at 350 for about one hour. Test with a thin skewer sticking into the side of the cake and then into the centre. Let rest 10 minutes on cooling rack then turn out onto generous sheet of waxed paper.

Mix 3 tb. lemon juice and 1/2 cup lemon juice. Stir well to dissolve sugar. Spread this on the top and sides of the warm lemon loaf. Feel free to lick your lemony fingers. Let cake sit lightly covered with plastic wrap for 24 hours.

This is a lovely summer cake and it does keep well. It’s the ideal cake to take on a picnic or to the cottage. Enjoy dear friends. Virginia

JAPANESE TREE PEONIES . . . stars in your garden

June 13, 2026June 13, 2026 / belocchio / 15 Comments

Once upon a time (all good stories begin with once upon a time) a delicate tree grew in China. The flowers on this tree were so magnificent, so unusual only the Emperor of China was allowed to possess it The tree was guarded night and day by ferocious soldiers. The Emperor’s tree was coveted by many. A few brave souls attempted to take cuttings from this tree. They disappeared never seen again.

This tree of fairy tale beauty was a Tree Peony. A tree peony is planted with great ceremony and deliberation for once planted it can never be moved. A tree peony will live up to one hundred years but if moved it will die.

Beauty such as this could not be held captive by one man even if he was the Emperor of China. In the eighth century a memorable event took place. The royal court of China shared these blossoms with Japan and finally the world.

“If the stars should appear but one night every thousand years how man would marvel and stare”. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

The first sight of this magnificent flower with its enormous blossoms one can only stare and marvel.

HAPPINESS IN A CAKE . . . RHUBARB CRUMB CAKE WITH SUMAC CRUMBLE

June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 / belocchio / 9 Comments

“Happiness . . .

not in another place but this place,

not for another hour

but this hour.”

I walk to the garden past hedges heavy with fragrant with wild roses and awash with cow parsley. Blackbirds, wrens, robins and song thrushes fill the air with glorious song. The early morning sun catches glittering drops of dew suspended in fragile spiderwebs turning grass into a field of diamonds. A walk of happiness to the garden to gather rhubarb.

This Rhubarb cake is one you make with pleasurable ease. The tactile pleasure of combining the crumble by hand. The lemony perfume of adding the sumac. The sharp tang of grating the lemon into brown sugar then rubbing the zest through the sugar with your finger tips. A whip of eggs. An easy pour of melted butter. A gently folding of flour and a delicate hand with the rhubarb. All is happiness in this hour.

This is a cake that sits often under a glass dome in my kitchen. As the season changes the cake takes on a different persona. Sometimes chopped pears with a dash of almond flavouring. The stone fruit comes into season I add peaches, apricots or deep purple plums and serve the cake with whipped cream. Apples and cinnamon cake generously presented with a wedge of crumbly wedge of old cheddar cheese; the flavour of autumn.

“Happiness . . . not in another place, but this place, not for another hour, but this hour.” (Walt Whitman)

The printable recipe resides in the kitchen of MRS.BUTTERFINGERS.

Bon Appetit my dear friends.

Bel' Occhio

Looking at life through The Beautiful Eye