Eggplant is one of my favourite ingredients when it comes to make anything with vegetables. It is a very common ingredient in Italian cooking, especially in the south where it is present at almost every meals during the summer months, when eggplant is at its best. Today I will share with you a recipe for…
Pinzimonio (Tuscan Crudités)
Pinzimonio is a traditional Italian crudités platter served with olive oil and vinegar for dipping. It comes together in minutes and makes a fresh appetiser or colourful platter.
Pesche al Vino
Today’s recipe takes me back to my summers in Sicily where my aunt would often finish a delicious meal with these Pesche al Vino – aka Italian Peaches in Wine. She would skip the sugar to be completely honest, but the smell of the ripe peaches macerated in wine is still vivid in my mind….
Chicken with Black Olive Tapenade
I often cook chicken at home as it is my kids’ favourite kind of meat, so I know they will eat it without making a fuss. Today’s recipe is Chicken with Black Olive Tapenade and it is a variation of a Rabbit recipe I published a long time ago. In this case, I use chicken…
Black Olive Tapenade
Black Olive Tapenade is a Provençal dish consisting of puréed olives, herbs and olive oil. It is a popular condiment in the south of France, where it is generally eaten as an appetiser, spread on bread. Maybe not everyone knows though, that olive based tapenades are very common in Italian cuisine and trace back to…
Coca de Espinacas a la Catalana
Thin, crisp Coca de Espinacas a la Catalana with spinach and raisins, savoury and golden, perfect for brunch, slicing and sharing.
Espinacas a la Catalana
Today I am taking you back to Spain, to Catalonia to be precise. I have realised I don’t have many side dishes on the blog, so this recipe for Espinacas a la Catalana is an attempt to fix the problem. When I was a child I used to dislike spinach. They tasted bitter and just…
Homemade Spanish Chorizo
Skip store-bought sausage and make Homemade Spanish Chorizo. Fresh pork seasoned with smoky paprika and garlic delivers an authentic Spanish taste you simply can’t get from a packet.
Sangria
As I wrote in my last post about Pa amb Tomaquet, I will be sharing Spanish recipes this week. And what’s more Spanish than Sangria?? I am actually surprised I haven’t shared this recipe yet, as Sangria is one of my most favourite drinks. There are many recipes on the Internet on how to make…
Pa Amb Tomaquet
This week Manu’s Menu will feature 3 Spanish recipes! I love Spain and Spanish food is among my all time favourite! It is also very close to Italian, and even more so to Sicilian, food, so I guess it would be very hard for me not to love it! Let’s start with a very simple…
Pasta with Braised Onions
Pasta with Braised Onions, or Pasta con la Cipolla as we say, is one of my mother’s recipes. It is a very quick, easy and affordable dinner idea that tastes delicious. It’s part of my series on quick and affordable pasta recipes just like Pasta with Peas and Pasta with Fried Zucchini. These are all dishes…
Italian Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are a staple at our place especially in spring and summer. In fact, this recipe is dedicated to all my friends in the Northern hemisphere (though my readers who are going into winter should definitely bookmark it for later!). When I met my husband, he barely ate any vegetable. True story. But these…
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad
I often have salad for lunch and I like to jazz it up with different ingredients and flavours so as not to get too bored. Today I would like to share with you the recipe for a very satisfying salad made with grilled chicken. This is no ordinary grilled chicken though, it is marinated in…
Pasta with Peas #SundaySupper
Welcome to this week’s #SundaySupper event which is all about spring! As you know, I live in Australia, which means we are in the middle of autumn at the moment, but that doesn’t stop the Italian in me to think of April as spring… so… Today’s recipe is part of my little series about quick, simple…
Cream of Asparagus and Spumante Risotto
I have always loved asparagus. When spring comes, they are on my table at least once a week! I love them poached with home-made mayo or aioli, but I also like to make risotto with them. I have already shared an Asparagus Risotto with Raspadüra recipe on the blog, but this Cream of Asparagus and…
Baked Nutella Iris (Italian Nutella Buns)
Baked Nutella Iris combines fluffy dough and rich Nutella in one cosy homemade treat with soft centres and lightly golden tops, perfect for breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Pasta with Fried Zucchini
I know I don’t even enough pasta recipes on the blog… and that’s such a pity! So, I decided to fix it and I am planning a little series about quick, simple and affordable pasta recipes. Who says that you need to go out of budget to have “real, healthy food”? Pasta usually makes everyone…
Snapper all’Acqua Pazza
I must admit, we don’t eat a lot of fish. I think it’s because my kids are not crazy about it, so I just find it easier to cook something that pleases everyone. On the other hand, I grew up in a family that LOVES fish and we would eat it at least 3 times…
Mushrooms in Escabeche
I love Spanish food, just as much as I love Spain. I really like the flavours and its simplicity and it reminds me of summer time, seaside and holidays! I enjoy making tapas, especially when I have people over or for special occasions. It’s a fun way to serve and taste many different dishes. I…
Tuna and Onion Pizza
A thin crust with tomato, mozzarella, tuna, and onion gives Tuna and Onion Pizza a light, savoury flavour perfect for relaxed pizza nights when you want something homemade.
Bosnian Burek
Flaky, savoury, and wonderfully simple, Bosnian Burek is a pastry filled with seasoned meat and baked until golden. It’s warm, satisfying, and perfect for family meals.
Homemade Grapefruit Liqueur
Sweet, zesty, and perfect for warm nights! Make a batch of Homemade Grapefruit Liqueur and enjoy a bright sip whenever you like.
Prosciutto, Goat’s Milk Ricotta and Rockmelon Skewers
As I promised, today I am back with an idea on how to use the home-made Goat’s Milk Ricotta from my latest post. Today’s recipe is the perfect summer appetiser, but it also works well as a palate cleanser any time of the year. It looks very elegant, but it is actually very easy to make. If…
Warm Maftoul Salad with Roasted Vegetables
I love salads, but sometimes I feel like eating something warm instead. I had some pearl couscous (maftoul) in my pantry and when I looked through the vegetables that I had in my fridge I thought it may be a good idea to make a warm Maftoul salad with all of that. I must admit…
Nonna’s Italian Pork Ragu with Troccoli Pasta
Slow-cooked pork ribs and sausage give Nonna’s Italian Pork Ragu with Troccoli Pasta a rich, hearty flavour that pairs well with fresh homemade Troccoli alla Chitarra.
Bell Pepper Involtini
Today’s recipe is a very simple appetiser idea: Bell Pepper Involtini. I like to serve these involtini as part of a buffet or a barbecue and they are always a hit. They are very easy to make and I love how colourful they look. Besides, they should be served at room temperature, so you don’t…
Grissini Torinesi
Grissini, aka breadsticks, are a weakness of mine. They originate from the Italian city of Turin, in Piedmont and they have been around for centuries! I love how crunchy they are and I often serve them wrapped in prosciutto as an appetiser or aperitivo. I even like to dip them in Nutella, when I am…
