Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Dairy-free Raspberry Jam Crostata

Dairy-free Raspberry Jam Crostata #BakingBloggers

While I was on holiday in Tahiti (yes… and expect some posts on that!), I read on Facebook that Sue from A Palatable Pastime was organizing #BakingBloggers, a group of bloggers who would bake something different once a month and publish it on their blogs. I really liked the idea, as I don’t usually bake…

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Oil Shortbread Dough

Oil Shortbread Dough

The other day my eldest daughter came home from school saying she wanted to bake a crostata for the whole family. We usually make a butter-based crostata dough (click here for the recipe) which tastes amazing and never fails! However, I have recently found out that I am lactose intolerant and she absolutely wanted mummy…

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Vegan Wholemeal Banana Bread

Vegan Wholemeal Banana Bread

If you follow Manu’s Menu more or less regularly, you may know that I have recently found out that I am lactose intolerant. Don’t worry, I will still be publishing “normal” recipes, but I will also start experimenting with dairy-free (or lactose-free) recipes. This Vegan Wholemeal Banana Bread is one of the first attempts at…

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Cardamom Rum Banana Bread

Cardamom Rum Banana Bread

I must admit I am not big on breakfast. Italians, in general, don’t have heavy breakfasts. We usually havbreakfastse (espresso) and cookies or a croissant. But I do make an exception for a slice of good banana bread! This Cardamom Rum Banana Bread has quickly become one of my favourites. It tastes delicious, and it…

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Slice of moist cake dusted with icing sugar served on a white plate with a fork.

5 Minute Vanilla Cake

A soft slice of 5 Minute Vanilla Cake is always a good idea, especially when it comes together this quickly, with a light, fluffy texture and a simple vanilla flavour.

Lemon and Oil Cakes

Lemon and Oil Cakes

I absolutely love lemon-based desserts. I am not sure if it’s an age thing, but lately, they have become m, favourite and I like them even more than chocolate-based desserts! If you had told me this a few years ago, I would have never believed it could happen! These Lemon and Oil are delicious and…

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Apple Skillet Cookie with Maple Butterscotch Sauce

Apple Skillet Cookie with Maple Butterscotch Sauce

There is absolutely nothing better than apple desserts, especially in winter. I find them to be the most comforting of dishes. I love the flavour, the consistency, the aroma that fills the house when you bake anything made with apples. This Apple Skillet Cookie with Maple Butterscotch Sauce has become a huge family favourite in…

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Apricot Jam Crostata

Apricot Jam Crostata

Growing up I have always preferred Nutella over jam. However, I did make an exception for peach jam. I know you may be wondering why I am talking about peach jam when I have used apricot jam for this crostata. Well, the reason is simple: I can’t find peach jam at regular supermarkets here in…

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Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes

Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes

I made these Strawberry Chocolate Cupcakes for my youngest daughter’s birthday party… I can’t believe they were still sitting in my archive! Anyhow, if you remember, she had requested a Japanese/Doraemon themed-party, so I thought of decorating the cupcakes with little cherry blossoms made out of fondant. They were a hit, like cupcakes always are….

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Nutella Cheesecake with Nutella Ganache

Nutella Cheesecake with Nutella Ganache #WorldNutellaDay

Happy World Nutella Day everyone! As I am sure you have noticed from my latest Round-Up, I already have plenty of recipes that feature Nutella among the ingredients. I grew up eating it and I still love it. And so do my kids, so, World Nutella Day is a day we always celebrate happily. While…

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Nutella Recipe Round-up 2017

As World Nutella Day is just around the corner, I thought of putting together a roundup of my favourite Nutella recipes. Hopefully this will give you a few ideas on what to make to celebrate World Nutella Day. Grab a spoon and dig in! Here goes MsM’s Nutella Recipe Roundup for 2017 (click on the…

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Double Chocolate Cupcakes

Double Chocolate Cupcakes

I made these Double Chocolate Cupcakes for my youngest daughter’s birthday party in December and they were a hit with both adults and kids alike. I must admit that I usually do not like buttercream, as it is usually way too sweet for my taste, but this chocolate version got me hooked! I guess it’s…

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Blueberry Limoncello Yogurt Ciambellone

Blueberry Limoncello Yogurt Ciambellone

Don’t you think that Blueberry and Lemon is the perfect combination of flavours? I certainly do! And even more so when liquor is involved! This Limoncello Blueberry Yogurt Ciambellone is AMAZING in flavour and texture. The cake is fluffy and light with a good hint of lemon and the blueberry make it even more moist….

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Overhead photo of Doraemon birthday cake on decorated fondant board.

Doraemon Cake

Surprise your little one with a Doraemon Cake that’s fun to make, easy to decorate, and made with soft sponge layers covered in colourful fondant that brings joy to every celebration.

Castagnaccio

Castagnaccio

Today I am back with a traditional Italian recipe: Castagnaccio. It is a typically autumnal dessert found in the Tuscany, Liguria, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna regions of Italy. It is made from a batter of chestnut flour, water, extra virgin olive oil, pine nuts, and raisins, which is mixed until smooth and then baked. There are…

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Slice of Pine Nut Cake with visible semolina layer served with lemon on the side.

Pine Nut Cake

Buttery crostata crust with a soft semolina centre and pine nuts baked on top gives this Pine Nut Cake a rich, nutty finish with a gentle hint of lemon.

Water-based Vanilla Cake

Water-based Vanilla Cake

After having my gallbladder removed, I am back at eating “almost” normally. I still try not to have very heavy meals like greasy, fried food or things that are very high in fat… I still need some time for that, but in the meantime, I am still trying to satisfy my cravings. This Water-based Vanilla…

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Freshly baked banana bread topped with mixed nuts beside a milk bottle.

Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread

Moist Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread with banana and walnut aroma creates a light dessert that feels homely, served slightly warm with a scoop of ice cream.

Close-up of M&M’s forming a gravity effect on a Kit Kat cake with a flowing candy stream.

Gravity Defying M&M’s Kit Kat Cake

Make every birthday sweeter with a Gravity Defying M&M’s Kit Kat Cake, a chocolate creation wrapped in Kit Kats and topped with floating M&M’s, an instant favourite for birthdays and family celebrations.

Eggless Chocolate Cake

Eggless Chocolate Cake

Recently we celebrated my eldest daughter’s 9th birthday. We usually have a party at our place and I take care of the food (remember the Frozen theme?), but this year we had to do something a bit different. Due to my recent surgery, I was not able to organise the usual spread of food, so…

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Cherry Frangipane Tart

Cherry Frangipane Cake

It’s cake time! I made this Cherry Frangipane Cake in December (I know, I know… a LONG time ago!) for my mother’s birthday. It was amazing! My mother had brought me the recipe as a cut-out from an Italian magazine and it looked too good not to give it a go. It’s actually quite easy to…

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Cherry Financiers

Cherry Financiers

As you know, I have always had a big connection with France. My parents have always loved the country, especially Paris, so we visited at least once a year while I was growing up. Luckily, France is quite close to Milan, so the trips were easy. That said, I have always enjoyed French food… I…

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Cinnamon Coconut Loaf

Cinnamon Coconut Loaf

I love coffee cakes or sweet loaves. It’s not something Italian – actually, it’s not Italian at all – but I really enjoy a slice of sweet bread for breakfast or with my cup of tea in the afternoon. This Cinnamon Coconut Loaf is moist, fluffy and airy and with a delicious cinnamon flavour. The…

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A plate full of sweet yoghurt burek pieces with crisp, golden tops.

Sweet Yogurt Burek

Flaky pastry wrapped around a creamy yoghurt filling makes Sweet Yogurt Burek a warm, comforting treat with a golden finish you’ll want to slice.

Whole yogurt plumcake loaf with sliced pieces and jam.

Yogurt Plumcake

Easy to slice and pleasant throughout the day, Yogurt Plumcake fits naturally into breakfast, snack time, or a quiet moment with tea. While growing up in Italy, the morning treats I loved most were small yogurt plumcakes sold by a famous Italian brand. I am not sure how this cake got its name, as there…

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Slices of Panforte dusted with icing sugar on a wooden board with a candy cane.

Panforte di Siena

Panforte di Siena is a classic Italian Christmas cake filled with almonds, honey, and spices. It’s rich, chewy, and filled with the warmth of Tuscan holiday traditions in every slice. Panforte di Siena is a traditional Christmas recipe from the beautiful Tuscan town of Siena. The name means “strong bread”, a reference to its spicy…

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Rapunzel Cake

Rapunzel Cake

My youngest daughter Georgia just turned 6. I usually organise a party at our place, but this year she asked for something different. She wanted to celebrate her birthday at the bowling and invite some of her friends. And so we did. All I had to do was to make the birthday cake. Like all…

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Welcome to Manu’s Menu!

Hi! I am Manu, the author of Manu's Menu. I was born and brought up in Italy and my blog can show you how to create authentic Italian food in your own home! Read More…

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Video Recipe: Orecchiette with Crudaiola Sauce

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manusmenu

Food blogger, cookbook author, food photographer & stylist.

A batch of homemade flaxseed crackers is always ha A batch of homemade flaxseed crackers is always handy to have in the kitchen.

They're crisp, easy to store, and pair well with dips, soft cheeses, fresh vegetables, or your favourite toppings whenever you need a quick snack.

#flaxseedcrackers #mealprep #healthysnacks #homemade #manu #manusmenu
Creamy goat cheese, crunchy pistachios, and a driz Creamy goat cheese, crunchy pistachios, and a drizzle of honey 🍯

The combination of creamy, sweet, and crunchy textures makes this such an easy appetiser to put together when you want something simple but a little different.

Serve with crusty bread or your favourite crackers and enjoy. 

#pistachios #HoneyDrizzle #sharingplatter #manusmenu
After sharing the scrambled eggs and tomato toast After sharing the scrambled eggs and tomato toast recently, I thought it would be a good time to highlight one of my favourite herb blends 🌿

Herbes de Provence is a traditional French herb blend usually made with herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, and savoury.

It's a simple way to add extra flavour to everyday ingredients and works especially well with eggs, tomatoes, roasted vegetables, potatoes, chicken, and soups.

Have you used Herbes de Provence before?

#herbesdeprovence #frenchcooking #mediterraneanfood #herbblends #manu #manusmenu
Scrambled eggs with tomato on toast is one of thos Scrambled eggs with tomato on toast is one of those simple meals that always works 🍅

Warm, savoury, filling, and made with ingredients most people already have at home.

#scrambledeggs #QuickMeals #breakfastideas #homemademeals #manu #manusmenu
This calamari risotto turned out creamy, rich, and This calamari risotto turned out creamy, rich, and so satisfying 🍚

Made as a low FODMAP recipe, it’s a homemade seafood dinner option that feels filling and easier to enjoy for those with sensitive stomachs or lower FODMAP dietary needs.

 #lowfodmap #calamaririsotto #seafoodrecipes #homemademeals #manu #manusmenu
Pumpkin has a naturally gentle sweetness, which is Pumpkin has a naturally gentle sweetness, which is why ingredients like ginger, coconut cream, herbs, curry paste, or lime work so well with it.

Those subtle layers of flavour help create soups that feel comforting, warming, and more rounded 💛

 #pumpkinsoup #thaifood #homemademeals #homemade #manusmenu
Smooth, creamy, and filled with delicious Thai-ins Smooth, creamy, and filled with delicious Thai-inspired flavours 🍲 This pumpkin soup makes such a lovely homemade dinner idea ✨

#PumpkinSoupRecipe #homemadefood #thaifood #manu #manusmenu
A sweet homemade treat for the person who made lif A sweet homemade treat for the person who made life sweeter first 💖
These chocolate date hearts are filled with soft dates, rich chocolate, and a little homemade love for Mother’s Day 🌷

 #mothersday #mothersdaygiftideas #datehearts #manusmenu
more stories beyond the menu ✈️ #MatchaMoments #t more stories beyond the menu ✈️

#MatchaMoments #travelreels #travelwithmanuela
A simple treat for Mother’s Day 🌸 These chocolate A simple treat for Mother’s Day 🌸

These chocolate covered dates pair perfectly with a warm cup of tea and make a lovely homemade gift or afternoon treat.

Simple, sweet, and easy to make at home.

#mothersday #chocolatecovereddates #HomemadeTreats #dessertideas #teatime #manusmenu
This iced chai is simple to make and perfect when This iced chai is simple to make and perfect when you want something calm and comforting.

Made with a few ingredients and warm spices, it’s a drink you can easily prepare at home without much effort.

Sometimes it’s the simple drinks that you keep coming back to. 💓

#icedchai #homedrinks #teatime #homemade #manu #manusmenu
Ever wondered why your iced matcha tastes differen Ever wondered why your iced matcha tastes different every time?

It’s not just about the ingredients. Small details like the quality of the matcha, how you sift it, and how you whisk it can completely change the result.

Even the texture and colour can tell you a lot before you even take a sip.

Once you start paying attention to these steps, it becomes much easier to get a smoother, more balanced matcha at home 🍵

 #matcha #icedmatcha #Matchalatte #JapaneseTea #manusmenu
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