Architecture, culture, history and landscapes – together with food – are at the top of my list of things to experience whenever I am visiting a new place. Being a person who wears her heart on her sleeve, sometimes these can bring tears to my eyes, leave me in awe, and take my breath away. The ancient ruins of Tintern Abbey, in the former County of Gwent in south-east Wales, did all of that.

I seem to have a never-ending supply of over-ripe bananas in the freezer, so it's time to make some banana bread, methinks. It's one of Peter's favourite sweet things, along with dates, so let's see if I can find a recipe made from both.

The combination of chocolate and hazelnut is another of those insanely good things that melt my heart and make me go weak at the knees – particularly when combined with meringue and filled with cream in the form of a dacquoise or layered gâteau.

There's something about fudge that always makes me feel better...   always...  well, almost always. Ü

Natalie Boog, food photographer and cookery writer, image courtesy Murdoch Books

'There's so much pleasure in making a delicious dish from something you grew yourself.'
                           - Natalie Boog - home cook, writer, food photographer, gardener

'What happened to the rest of the madeleines?' asked the man of the house, sounding very disappointed. 'Oh, there was only a few left and I ate them,' I replied, suddenly feeling guilty. 'I've been out on a truffle hunt in the bitter cold and needed something yummy to warm me up,' I pleaded. 'But don't worry, I'll bake some more first thing in the morning,' I added, hoping it would cheer him.

In the 1990s this energetic young thing spent several hours a week at a local gym. Step aerobics, funk classes and circuit training were on the agenda, accompanied by the sounds of C+C Music Factory, Right Said Fred and Salt-n-Pepa. What's that got to do with Galaktoboureko? Whenever I eat this sumptuous Greek custard slice, I find myself singing that crazy song, 'Things that make you go Mmmm' [Hmmm]. 

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favourite things

-  My Favourite Things, sung by Maria, The Sound of Music, 1965

There are times when something good catches your eye and you know you simply have to have it. That good 'thing' can range from the latest whizz bang motor car to a stylish pair of shoes – or it may just be a piece of cake. Literally.