The combination of raisins, sardines, warm spices, and pine nuts makes this Pasta con le Sarde alla Palermitana unbelievably satisfying. Add breadcrumbs on top for a next-level finish.
Archives for January 2013
LAMB TAJINE WITH QUINCES
When I feel like having some comfort food, I often make stews. Just the aroma of a stew cooking on the stove (or in the oven) has a somewhat relaxing and almost therapeutic effect. When I make a stew on a rainy day, even the bad weather seems more bearable and from annoying, it becomes captivating and…
TRUFFLE HONEY & VANILLA CRÈME BRÛLÉE
A little while ago, my husband and I went out to have dinner at a delightful restaurant called Chophouse. We ate really well and I was particularly impressed by their Wagyu Tartare with truffle aioli, pear, pine nuts & white soy dressing and by their Wagyu Striploin with harissa… divine! Also, I was pleasantly surprised…
SAUSAGE AND FENNEL RISOTTO
I don’t think I have said this before, but when I was expecting my eldest daughter, I used to have very strong savoury cravings and risotto was always on the top of my list! The great thing about risotto is that it is like a white canvas that you can paint with any flavour you…
SWORDFISH INVOLTINI IN TOMATO SAUCE
Swordfish involtini are a very common dish in Sicily and they are also one of my favourite recipes for fish! A little while ago I already shared with you the recipe of how to make Baked Swordfish Involtini. Today I am going to show you an alternative way of cooking them. This is my mom’s…
SPLIT-SECOND COOKIES
It is time again for the “Secret recipe club” reveal! I am sure you all know what the club is about, but for the few of you who still don’t know about it, here goes a brief explanation. Each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a recipe from and in turn…
ADORA’S PORK WITH GARLIC, ONIONS AND CHILLI
I love this recipe! I have discovered this beauty on Adora’s Box a little over a year ago (thank you Adora!) and the whole family got hooked. Needless to say, I have made it many times already as it is the perfect midweek dinner: quick, but delicious! I have slightly modified Adora’s recipe as I…
RICOTTA, PEAR AND HAZELNUT VERRINES
I came across this recipe while looking for a new way to finish off some pears I had left over on my kitchen counter. I love all kinds of mousses and little servings… they are not completely “guilt-free”, but they surely are better than a huge slice of cake (not that there’s anything wrong with…
2 YEAR BLOGIVERSARY!
Today we are celebrating my site’s 2nd blogiversary! It feels like yesterday that I sat down at my computer and created Manu’s Menu! I still remember all the research I did and all the hard work I put into figuring out all the technicalities that are behind these pages! I have always cooked, but working…
BEEF SCHIACCIATINA
This is one of my “go to” recipes for a quick, yet delicious mid week meal. Schiacciatina means “something small that has been pressed”, and it is basically a very flat burger made with only ground beef, Parmigiano Reggiano, salt and pepper. My mum used to make this often for me as a child. I…
WHITE CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA SHOOTERS WITH RASPBERRY COULIS
If you are not new on this site, you will know that I love all desserts that you can eat with a spoon: mousses, creams, trifles… and panna cotta! I also like individual servings and I have been making these panna cotta shooters for a while now. I often take them to friends’ houses for…
PINEAPPLE & COCONUT GLAZED PORK SPARE RIBS
Today’s post is a “fight-against-waste” recipe! I had a nice rack of pork spare ribs in the freezer, so I gathered all the left overs I had in my fridge and built up a recipe from there. I also did some research on the web and saw I could make something yummy out of these…
Pasteis de Bacalhau
Warm, crisp, and savoury, Pasteis de Bacalhau make an easy addition to any meal. Serve them with lemon wedges or a green salad for a light, balanced plate that always feels satisfying.
CHESTNUT GNOCCHI VALCHIAVENNA STYLE
Today’s Regional Italian recipe comes from the region I grew up in: Lombardy. To be precise, this recipe is from Valchiavenna, an Alpine valley to the north of Lake Como. It is a truly beautiful area and the food you can eat there is genuine and very much linked to the territory and local produce. …
HONEY CHICKEN
I must admit I had never eaten honey chicken before moving to Australia. I do not recall seeing it on the menu of any Chinese restaurants in Milano and I am not even sure whether it is an original Chinese dish. All I know is that I was hooked to it from the first time…
Salami Pasta Recipe (Penne with Provolone)
A classic Salami Pasta Recipe combining salty salami, tomato sauce, and soft melted provolone for a rich, satisfying plate of penne. I want to share one of my husband’s favourite pasta recipes. He loves salami and provolone, so when he first tasted these penne, he told me, “This is the best pasta I have ever…
RADICCHIO AND GORGONZOLA RISOTTO
First of all… HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Today’s risotto is pure comfort food, a dish I often cook when I want to spoil myself… what better dish to start the new year with? It is very easy to make and it rewards you with great flavours. I truly believe that radicchio and gorgonzola were made to…






























