My name is Manuela and I was born and brought up in Milan, Italy by Sicilian parents. I moved to Sydney, Australia in 2006 with my loving husband Clint and we have 2 wonderful daughters: Victoria and Georgia who were both born here.
I love Australia and I consider myself really lucky to live here, so much so that I am naturalised Australian and I consider Australia my “home”. My husband is of Indian origin, so you can truly say that we are a “multi cultural family” and that is often reflected in what we eat.
I grew up in an artistic family: my grandfather was, and my father and aunts are all painters/artists. Besides my artistic side, I also inherited the love for travelling and experiencing other cultures from my parents, with whom I have travelled extensively since birth. As an adult, I am still discovering the world and all the fantastic flavours it has to offer! My passion for cooking runs in the family as well. Many of my recipes have been passed down from generations.
I love all kinds of food! I obviously specialise in Italian cuisine, but you will also find “non-Italian” recipes here, especially Indian ones. One of the reasons this site is in English is so that I can spread the concepts of authentic homemade Italian cuisine in the world. In all my travels, and more so now that I live in Australia, I have always been amazed by the “distortions” in many Italian dishes. So, if you are interested in “the real thing”, this is the place to be!
Hello Manu
Nice site ;o)
It´s great to see new stuff…
Maybe i´ll try the food in my family? My 5 years old daugther Julie like the cakes on the photos…. ;o)
Love Maria
Hi Maria! So glad you like it! 🙂 A big kiss to all of you and a special one for the gorgeous Julie! 🙂
Hi! I am so excited to look through some of your recipes on here! I love getting new Italian recipes! 🙂
Thanks Rach! I hope to see you around here again! 🙂
i like your site. i’ll comment in your blog soon. me down with a bad tummy…on V day. too bad…
you have a great day!! lovely kids!!
So sorry to hear that you are not well! I hope you recover soon! 🙂
Hi Manuela and family, a breath of fresh air, a lovely site and some lovely dishes. I like when you say traditional Italian, the real thing is good.
More than that i also like the energy you put into your descriptions. The artist family is inside eh. Big hugs to you and your family and keep up the magic.
Skjerstad.
Hi Skjerstad! Thanks so very much for stopping by! I guess the love for traditional food of our countries is something we have in common! Hope to see you around here often! Manu
Hi,
Good evening !
This dessert looks absolutely gorgeous and I am sure it tastes amazingly yummy.
I was wondering if you could share an eggless recipe for the same.
I do not want the vegan version..would love to try my hand on this
Please reply
Thanks !
Kanan
Hi Kanan! Which dessert are you talking about? Do let me know please and I will see if I can help. 🙂
I love Italian dishes. Thanks for sharing, Manu. By the way, your girls are very very cute. Give them hugs and kisses from me, will you? 🙂
HOLY WOW!! BEAUTIFUL!!! Seriously, what a gorgeous blog! What a gorgeous family….I wanna be YOU!!! LOL!!
Great work! Have a fabulous day!
I just discovered your blog! I’m so excited to check out your blog now. Nice to meet you Manu!
WOW! It’s awesome “meeting” someone who knows the value of the REAL Italian cuisine and who doesn’t distort that! 🙂
I’ll follow your posts with great pleasure!
Pure clean looking web blog. I can’t wait to explore your creation. I am new to blogging. Hope you have time to check out my travel blog. Perhaps it will be useful when it’s time to travel to America!
Cheers!
Hi Manu, nice to know you and glad that I get to know about your blog thru Tina-Pinay In Texas Cooking & Nami-Just One Cookbook. 🙂
btw, both your girls are so aborable and beautiful 🙂
Hey Manuela,
Cute pics and your daughters look like twinkle star…. Great to know about you.
Love,
Maria
Hi Manuela!
I’ve just discovered your foodblog from Tuki’s contest. As you I’m an Italian food-lover that live in Australia, but I live in the opposite coast… in Perth!
Do you know other Italian foodbloggers in OZ?
Buon cucinamento allora! 😉
Nico
Hi Manu, first time here & l like it here…..love Italian food so I’m gonna check for some recipes now…
I found your site through one of my favorite blogger Nami @ “Just One Cookbook” and I would say, I’m impressed with your dishes. You have a new fan here.
More success to you Manu.
ray. . .
Hi Manu, congratulations on your very own website. Great to see you doing what you love doing best. Love your recipes. Good luck and rest assured I will be peeking into to find new recipes.
Love,
Hygenia, Isaac and Allan
Thank you so very much for your sweet comment Hygu! <3
A big hug to all! 🙂
Hi Manu, what a wonderful blog you have! I found you through your Tweets on MANGO, my favorite fruit. I enjoyed reading your posts and will definitely be back for more !
Manu, love…love..love your blog. Wow, you are so gifted with all of the lovely recipes. I am Viet Namese and can relate to your love for Thai Food. Can’t wait to find some time to read and learn more about you and all these recipes!! I love to cook, but so busy with 2 kids from school, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and to soccer practice for both that I don’t find much time to do what I love is to cook and bake. I managed to cook for my family though so at least I am still doing that. Thank you for sharing your life and talents with us. Hugs, Toni
OOOOHHH THANK YOU so much for this sweet comment Toni! I really appreciate you taking time to let me know you like my blog!!! <3 <3 <3 I hope to see you around here more often!!! :-)))))
What a lovely blog you have! I was excited to see that you’re italian since I am too! Can’t wait to start following and try out your recipes!
Hy Manuela, I’m looking at your site and I just want to go to kitchen and start cook!! thank you for sharing all this amazing recipes!!! Brava!!!
Aaawww THANK you sooooo much Olga! That was a great compliment! :-)))) Thanks for stopping by and letting me know you like my recipes! <3
Im trying the spinach rissotto tonight 🙂 thanks for the recipe I hope mine looks like yours.
Great!!! Let me know how you liked it!!! <3
Brava Manuela,
pubblichi delle bellissime e buonissime ricette. Evviva la cucina italiana nel mondo!
Ti seguirò
Complimenti per i tuoi bellissimi bambini
Jas
Hi Manu, just found ur blog…I had a lovely time here…and cant wait to try out your recipes….visit me if time permits…Merry Christmas.
Carissima Manuela,
ti ho trovata tramite Tasteologie e il tip post sul carbone della Bafana! Solo noi Italiane-all’estero- possiamo capire il valore di questa ricetta!
Manu, lo sai sono anche io di Milano, trasferita a Sydney da qualche anno, due bimbi (1 e 4 anni) , nati qui, marito Australiano. Anche io ho un background ( e lavoro ‘vero’) nell’arte, anche io, come te, sono una appassionata della cucina Italiana VERA, quella delle nostre mamme, zie, cugine e nonne, che poco a che fare con ‘set salse ‘Alfredo’ o ‘Napoli’!
Ecco il mio sito, se hai voglia di conoscermi. http://silviascucina.wordpress.com/
Io vivo nelle northern beaches, tu?
Sono davvero contenta di averti scoperta.
Un abbraccio
Silvia
bon manu, couscous is not clear arabe but bebere, you are a europeen you should now , voila
Ooops Myriam… you are absolutely right… couscous is of Berber origin, not so much Arab! I am going to correct that! Thank you so much for pointing that out. 🙂
Hello! I just found your site and I’m already bookmarking endless recipes to try. It’s just what I’ve been wanting– classic italian recipes based in the different regions. I’m really an outsider to traditional italian cuisine but I’ve been hoping to try out some recipes. I’ve been bookmarking yours, and am looking forward to seeing your posts in the future. 🙂
Hi Manu,
Im so glad I found this site. I love cooking italian and these recipes are to die for. Ill let you know how I go
Kerrie
Your little girls are so pretty (just like their mom!) 🙂 It’s great to meet you and to see your lovely smile! I’m still discovering your site. My sweetheart’s sister lives in Australia and he loves it as well, but we both live in Montreal and we’re Franch Canadian (although I think in a past life I must have been an Italian pastry chef ~ my two favourite foods although I also love most other cuisines as well!) I’m just wondering where you find the time & energy to do all this cooking, keep your website updated, and take care of 2 young children … please don’t tell me you also have a full-time job (unrealated to food or cooking), or I’ll gasp! Once again, congratulations, Manu ♥
~ marie
Nice to meet you Manuela, and are so glad to found your wonderful blog. What a lovely family you have with such darling daughters! Looking forward to peruse your recipes.
Cheers 🙂
Judit & Corina
Hi Manu, I love your site and you have wonderful kids. I also love coocking and baking, but unfortunately I don’t have time to keep my cooking blog updated. I have two kids, the older is 15 years old and her name is Manuela and nickname, Manu, like you. My younger is Carmen. I’m Brazilian, but my parents are from Bolivia, that’s why me and Luiz Fernando decided to name Manuela and Carmen, because they’re very Portuguese and Spanish names. Congrats and I will try your recipe with aubergines. I love them.
Cheers, 😉
Non ci posso credere! finalmente ho trovato un sito con vere ricette italiane, ma in inglese. Anche io come te mi sono trasferita in Australia, ma a Melbourne, un anno e mezzo fa, dalla bellissima Calabria.
Dico VERE perchè finalmente posso mostrare ai miei amici australiani (di famiglie europee) appassionati di cucina, qual è l’autentica cucina italiana.
Il tuo sito è bellissimo! grazieee!!!
Valentina
I just found your site on foodblogs.com so I thought I would stop by and take a peek. I just subscribed to your blog feed and can’t wait to see what your next post will be!
Thank you so much CJ! And welcome to MsM! 🙂
Just “liked” your page on FB…we have a bit of similarity in our lives-I’m 100% Italian, but was born in Scotland and now live in Los Angeles! Looking forward to exploring your recipes and following along 🙂 Christina
Ciao Manu! I have just discovered your blog! So happy! I have just started my own blog about italian cuisine in english, I am so happy to see that there are others. I will be happy to follow your recipes. Thank you! Nice blog and pictures!
Have a look at my blog if you wish http://www.valuskitchen.com
A presto Vale
Just found out your blog and loving it already! You have a great collection of recipes here and wonderful photography too.. I am a Pakistani and I am impressed how beautifully you can cook desi cuisine! Good job well done! 🙂
Manu I nominated you for some awards! http://sharingmyitaly.wordpress.com/2012/08/15/thanking-and-sharing-awards-time/
Ciao,
Hai fatto prorio un bellissimo blog e complimenti per le ricette.
Anch’io ho iniziato un blog sulle ricette della mia famiglia, io sono di Udine quindi sono sia ricette classiche italiane sia friulane.
Ho fatto il blog in inglese per promuovere la cucina italiana nel mondo ( per quei pochi che mi leggono) e per fare pratica di inglese dato che voglio andarmene dall’ Italia ( mi piacciono tutti i paesi anglofoni USA CANADA AUSTRALIA anche perchè sono gli unici che possono dare un futura a mia figlia.
Qui in Italia ci rimane solo la buona cucina e il turismo.
Se ti piacciono le mie ricette puoi tranquillamente usarle e mettere sul tuo blog ne sarei onorato.
CIAO!!!!
Il mio blog è:
http://www.realitaliandish.wordpress.com
It is so nice to meet you through your guest post for Chef Dennis! I love Italian and Indian food so count me as a new follower of your blog! 🙂
Hi Manu,
I found your blog through Nami. My family love Italian food and I am super excited to try your recipes. Thank you for sharing!!
I’m a chef at Le Cordon Bleu – California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, California and my family and culinary heritage from genoa, liguria confirms your solid recipes. Great job keep it up.
Buono fortuna,
Geo. T.
Good solid authentic recipes…not “americanized” at all! How refreshing!
Hi Manuela,
I just discovered your website – love it! Born in Canada, Sicilian background, your recipes are true to the dishes I am familiar and grew up with. Having a passion for baking and cooking, I look forward to discovering the many more recipes from different regions on your future posts. Thank you for existing! 🙂
Hello Manu! I’m very excited to try some of the recipes on your site. I am from Siciliy and my husband is from Genova. Regarding your pesto recipe, is it necessary to include parsley? My husband doesn’t remember his mother using parsley in her recipe when they lived in Liguria. Please advise. Thank you very much! ML
Ciao Maria Luisa!! So glad to “meet” you and welcome to my site! 🙂
There are so many variations of pesto (some people also add a tiny little bit of butter in each plate to make the pasta more “creamy”), so not everyone uses parsley. I myself add it only when I have it at home, otherwise I only use basil. 🙂
Hi Manu
Did you know they advertised your blog on an Italian cooking Magazine called Sale e Pepe? I already knew about your blog and was suprised to see it there…but rightly so. You deserve it. It was on a section where they had step by step instructions to home made pasta like orecchiette. Congratulations. I love your site…but I’ve already told you that. 🙂 Ciao again.
Manu I love your blog and your family is beautiful!! Im happy to following you!
Hi Manu,
Thanks for the blueberry muffins recipe. You have saved another wise rainy Sunday afternoon in Germany.
Great stuff you’re doing with your blog. I look forward to trying the food!
Laura
Hello Manu!
I was searching for a recipe for Panzarotti to make my husband for Fathers day and came across your site! My husband is Italian descent (both parents were born in Italy) so I bookmarked your site for more Italian dishes (and other ones) that I am planning to try!
Thanks!
Teresa
Dear Manuela, you seem so lovely & what a wonderful melting pot family you have! I’m very happy to find you and your wonderful blog and look forward to exploring your archives in the near future as well. I love Italian food and want to learn more about Indian food and in general just love: food! So I’m interested in all your recipes.
Dear Manuela,
This must be the best site for food addicts around, love the italian kitchen. Coming saturday we’re of to our favourite island where we will stay for 2 weeks picking grapes and olives, its near Trapitello so you know were we are heading. Its Maud’s (this is my dear wife) twin sister who lives already for 30 years and married my brother in law Cesare. A few more years and we’re retired so we can stay there a lot longer. All the best for you and family. Lots of love from Jan and Maud from a cold Netherlands.
Hi Manu,
Your blog is fantastic!
It is making me hungry 🙂 I grew up in Sydney and have parents from the Valtellina. We frequently eat many of your Lombardia dishes, pizzocheri is now my children’s favourite and would be the most requested dish when we head to nonni’s for dinner. I was most excited when I saw it on your website.
As I live in Sydney also, I am interested to know where you buy your frozen porcini’s? … so I can buy some for my dad to cook for me 😉
Hi Vanessa!
I am so glad you like my site!! 🙂 I LOOOVE pizzoccheri… it’s one of my all time favourite dishes… so much so that I usually make them for my birthday! 😉
I buy frozen porcini from an importer in Lidcombe: http://italianfood.com.au/ They also sell to the public. It’s just opposite from Costco. Hope it helps!
Manu
Awesome site!
hello Manu,
I have been looking for a miso soy caramel and i think i found it here! It looks so tasty I can’t wait to try it but really the sauce was something for a different take on a sushi roll sauce rather then soy sauce and wasabi. thank you so much!
Hi.
It’s Tegan and Taylor-Maes grandma here. Claire has been telling me all about your wonderful food and said that you had a blog. Just looked at all your wonderful receipes will certainly be trying some out on the Ball family when I come over in December.
Lesley xx
Hi Lesley!
What a nice surprise! Thank you so much for your sweet words, your comment means a lot to me.
Looking forward to seeing you here again! 🙂
Manu
Hi Manuela
I live in South Africa and have spent all afternoon on your wonderful site! I am inspired to make a few of your family recipes – thank you for sharing them! Your photos, attention to detail and passion are evident – I can’t wait to try the real thing !
Hi Manu,
I live in london and I am from india. Got connected thru your blog via chef at large on fb. N I have been hooked on to your blog since then. I loved all your desserts. The Indian desserts are great too.
All the recipes seem possible and you make it look easy.
Thank you,
Love
Trupti
Awww I am so happy you like my site!! I hope to see you around here often! 🙂
Manu
What a lovely website. And great recipes!
Ho la immensa fortuna di conoscere Manu di persona, e’ una donna meravigliosa, squisita, come tutte le sue ricette e le sue due gioie, Manu mette passione in quello che fa, e si vede.
Awwwwww grazie Maura!!!!!!!!!! <3 Miss you!!!
Ciao Manu hai delle ricette interessanti non italiane ma, non riesco a trovare la possibilità di traduzione. Non per me ma ogni volta mi tocca tradurre per un amica che non conosce l’inglese.
Hai messo il traduttore sul tio blog che io non trovo….altrimenti sarebbe bello tu lo mettessi.
Buona serata.
Ciao Edvige! Grazie!! 🙂 Si, ho il traduttore… e’ in alto a destra. E’ quello di google, per cui non e’ il massimo, ma aiuta molto. 🙂
Hi, we would love to start posting links from your website to our Instagram, Twitter, Google +, Pinterest and Facebook to encourage our users to start cooking everyday!
Would you be interested to mention us on your blog as well?
Kind Regards,
HomeCooked Club Team!
You’ve got some awesome recipes on here! Thanks!!! I’m looking forward to cooking them!
Hi Manu I’m of Italian descent, my parents are from the Abruzzi region, my sister and I were born in Oz and we bless our dad’s name everyday that he came here to this amazing country. When I married my wonderful Aussie husband all I knew how to cook were Italian meals but my mother in law grave me some English and australian recipes and amongst them was the sticky date pudding with sticky toffee suace. It’s one of our favourites, your recipe looks very easy to make and I will make it soon.
Ciao e tante cose belle a lei e la sua famiglia.
Rita
Hi Great Chef Manu
Thanks for yr delicious Italian Cuisine recipes.Please do me a favor by sending the few recipes of Italian hot chicken soup as winter season is approaching fast in India.Due to accident I was on bed rest for one year.Now I have to pull on my family through your lovely recipes.I am now 61 years old Although I am a Chef Know about recipes but not born in Italy.So you are more senior to me in culinary and is the worlds renowned Italian Chef and I had always desired to learn from you more.I must say you are god mother of Italian Cuisine.I am proud of you and salute you.I always keep waiting for your recipes. As life is a process of learning and you never stop till you reach the grave whether you like it or not. Regards Chef Johnny Singh,New Delhi India.Whatsapp 00919717846535
Dear Chef Johnny Singh-ji, thank you very much for your comment. I am very happy and honoured that you like my recipes. I would love to help, but unfortunately I do not have any chicken soup recipe… In Italy we don’t make soup with chicken. I do have 2 soup recipes that are traditionally Italian: http://www.manusmenu.com/pasta-con-fagioli-borlotti-pasta-in-a-borlotti-bean-soup and http://www.manusmenu.com/pasta-con-fagioli-borlotti-pasta-in-a-borlotti-bean-soup In both cases, if you like, you can add chicken. I hope it helps. Cheers! Manu
Thanks you so much Chef Manu for sending me the recipes of Italian Soups.I do not understand how to express my feelings now.
Regards
Chef Johnny Singh,New Delhi India
Hi…
You’re food looks delicious…
I can’t find where to file the ones I like.
Do you have a recepy box in your blog?
Hi Manu,
I am glad that I found your beautiful site. you have lot of information to share. Love your resources and your tips. Thank you.
Hi there Manu!!!I am so glad I found your website. I have a half Italian hubby and want to cook for him everything he loves!! My 2 babies love pizza and pasta and of course chocolate so really thank you for all the great recipes!!! Kisses from Cyprus!!!
dear Manu i have only access to passion fruits sugar and yest can i still make passion fruit liqueur
Hello Manu, I am so happy that I can finally get to write to you. Some months ago I wrote to ask you a question but never got an answer. I guess that means it never reached you for some reason.
So I’d like to ask you again if you don’t mind. How long do you think homemade Limoncello lasts in the refrigerator (not the freezer)? I also would like your recipe, if you would be so kind.
Please give those beautiful babies of yours tanti baci!! Gosh Manu, they are truly gorgeous children- they look like their MAMA!!!!! May God bless your whole family. Love, Patty
Words can’t express the joy we felt when we bought your book Homemade Pasta Made Simple. I’m 86 and have been trying for a lifetime to pass all the gifts you have in your book to our family. Unfortunately, todays generation does not really appreciate the artistry you display in your book from cover to cover. People of today love to eat, but very few realize the joy in working and creating these old world classics. I sent a copy of your book to one of my daughters whom I know will appreciate its contents along with my old handcrank pasta machine from Milan that mama gave me back in 1953. We bought new attachments for our Kitchen-Aid mixer to make life easy on the old man. You made me feel like family back in the kitchen rolling out pasta into ravioli, spaghetti, gnocchi with mama in Brooklyn,NY. My brother renamed her gnocchi Bullets as he said, cause when you ate one you could feel it hit bottomwhen it landed in your stomach. Your pasta recipes are fantastic and we will try them all. Family was over during holidays and all the ravioli disappeared as the pasta was truly fabulous. They ate it up like it was candy. Looking forward to receiving your additional recipes and ideas in your E-Mails. You’re very special. Thanks so much for sharing. Grampa Joe
Dear Grampa Joe,
GRAZIE grazie grazie for your beautiful comment. I am so very happy you like my book, but what makes me even happier is the fact that it helped bring back joyous memories for you and your family. Making pasta is a family tradition or many of us Italians, no matter where we live, and it is a great way to spend time together. 🙂 I hope you also enjoy all my other recipes on the site. Buon appetito! Manu
Mille grazie Manu, y buona fortuna a tu y tuoi
Hi Manu, hope all is well with you and yours. Many, many years ago we went to a family wedding. I was a yonug boy back in the forties. They served a magnificent miltilayered cake that had such delicious cream filling complimented by a moist, I would assume rum syrup, or the like, doused cake layers which left such a memorable impression on my palate. I’m not sure if it was a cannoli cream or bavarian. It was gooood. Through the years we have searched and searched and never found any recipes for such a cake.Would you have ever come across such a recipe.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Grampa Joe
Hi Manu,
Could you please contact me re a Toollio Kit
Many thanks
Hi Manu,
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Manuelita !!! LOVE your site !!!
I was looking for Alfajores de Maicena to give for Christmas to my neighbors and I found you!!!
I was born in Argentina and moved to USA long time ago. Also, mia Nona di Genova, Italia and the other side from Spain, etc !!! and on top of that my husband is from Mexico
Like you, I love food from all the world , from my roots and living in Los Angeles for long time fell in love with
Indian cuisine !!!! Ultra tasty !!!
Your girls are adorable!!!
You are already in my Favorites !!!
Mille Grazie !!!
hello I stumbled on this site I too am a foodie and I am also married to a desi guy my husband is Pakistani I am German by ethnicity my parents immigrated to usa from Germany however I told my husband I want to make kabsa and this is the first time I am making it
Hello! Nice to meet you! 🙂 I love Kabsa! Let me know how you like it! 🙂