Manu’s Menu

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Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini

Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini

Today’s recipe is a very simple appetiser or side dish idea: Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini. I love capsicums (or bell peppers), I always have. I have already shared a Bell Pepper Involtini recipe before, but this one is different. They are filled with what we call the ”Zangaras’ trademark”, as we use this same stuffing…

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Parmigiano Reggiano Brutti ma Buoni

Parmigiano Reggiano Brutti ma Buoni

Today’s recipe is a savoury variation of the more famous sweet Brutti ma Buoni (click here for the sweet recipe that I have already shared a while ago). Brutti ma Buoni are cookies made in Lombardy, the region I was born and grew up in, mainly to utilize leftovers – especially egg whites and nuts….

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Finished Sicilian eggplant bake in a red baking dish.

Sicilian Eggplant Bake

Layers of roasted eggplant, sweet tomatoes, and gooey cheese make this Sicilian Eggplant Bake taste like home-cooked perfection.

Swordfish Caponata served in a rustic bowl with fresh basil and warm bread on the side.

Swordfish Caponata

A Sicilian classic with a seafood twist, Swordfish Caponata blends tender eggplant and firm fish in a rich sweet and sour tomato glaze.

Chestnut Porcini Risotto

Chestnut Porcini Risotto

I have been living in the Southern Hemisphere for over 10 years now, but I will never get used to the idea that September, October and November are spring months! Every year, when September comes, I feel like eating autumn food like apples, mushrooms, pumpkin, chestnuts and the likes. I doubt I will ever get…

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Sweet Taralli arranged in a wooden bowl with a few biscuits placed on a folded napkin.

Sweet Taralli

Make Sweet Taralli for a warm afternoon pick-me-up. They pair well with tea and stay crisp for days, giving you a simple treat for busy moments.

Close-up of cut wedge revealing airy interior and lightly crisp edges.

Schiacciata

Fresh from the oven, Schiacciata is golden and airy, brushed generously with olive oil, a Tuscan flatbread pressed thin into tins and baked until lightly crisp on top.

Baked Nutella Iris dusted with icing sugar and filled with creamy chocolate hazelnut spread.

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.

Marzipan Lambs

Marzipan Lambs

Today’s recipe is a classic Sicilian sweet that is made and eaten to celebrate Easter. In Italian these delicious treats are called Pecorelle di Pasqua or Agnelli Pasquali which literally mean Easter Lambs. As they are made out of marzipan, I thought that Marzipan Lambs would be a better translation… at the end of the…

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Snapper all’Acqua Pazza

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…

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Pasticceria Peralta – San Vito Lo Capo

I am very excited about today’s post as I will be taking you all back to the beautiful little town of San Vito Lo Capo, in Sicily.  Today I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite pastry shops: Pasticceria Peralta.  Their sweets, pastries and cakes are the best in town!

Castelmagno and Pear Risotto

Castelmagno and Pear Risotto

Today I am back with a typical Italian recipe. As you know, I am very fond of Italian regional products. It is because of this incredible variety of resources and flavours that Italian cuisine is so special. Besides, I love cheese – even more than I love chocolate! So, when I visited Italy last year,…

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Panificio La Sala – San Vito Lo Capo

I am very happy about today’s post as I will be taking you all back to the beautiful seaside town of San Vito Lo Capo, in Sicily.  Today I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite bakeries: Panificio La Sala.  Everyone knows it in town… their bread, cookies and other yummy treats are THAT…

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Spelt and Raspberry Baci di Dama

Spelt and Raspberry Baci di Dama

“I thought I’d start this blog by posting the recipe of my all time favourite cookies.  Their name means “lady’s kisses” because their shape resembles a kiss.  They are originally from Turin, in the Piedmont region of Italy.”  These were the very first lines I wrote on Manu’s Menu, 5 years ago! The first recipe…

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Tagliatelle Dolci di Carnevale

Tagliatelle Dolci di Carnevale

If you follow Manu’s Menu, you will know that Mardi Gras, or Carnevale for us Italians, is my favourite time of the year!  Carnevale is quite big in Italy and all kids dress up for almost a week and go on parades with all kinds of floats.  There are many famous Carnevali in Italy, like…

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Azzurra – Macari

I am very happy about today’s post as I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite restaurants: Azzurra.  It’s not a famous or hatted restaurant, but it serves delicious and hearty food. Besides, it has an added bonus… you can eat on their terrace while enjoying a spectacular view.

San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo Guide – Italy

After a few weeks’ break, I am back with my guides about Italy. Today I will take you all back to Sicily, to explore another area with my San Vito Lo Capo Guide.  San Vito Lo Capo – San Vito for short – is a beautiful little seaside village near Trapani.  It is a place…

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Close-up of sliced Onion Schiacciata showing soft crumb and caramelised onions.

Onion Schiacciata

Hosting a lunch or dinner? This Onion Schiacciata is always well-loved. It has a homemade look, tastes incredible, and goes perfectly with almost any main dish.

Spritz

Spritz

For my last post of 2015 and to welcome the new year, I am sharing the recipe for one of the most classic Italian drinks: the Spritz. It is a wine-based cocktail commonly served as an aperitif. It is prepared with prosecco wine, a dash of some bitter liqueur such as Aperol, Campari or Cynar…

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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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Bottle and glass of grapefruit liqueur arranged on blue cloth with a grapefruit.

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.

Parma Burger

Parma Burger

My kids love burgers, so in an attempt to keep their meals as healthy as possible, I usually make them at home. I always make my own beef patties as I like to play around with flavours and these Parma Burgers were an instant hit. These burgers have an Italian twist. The patties are made…

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Trapani

Trapani, Erice and Segesta Guide – Italy

After last week’s break, I am back with my guides about Italy. Today I will take you all back to Sicily, to explore another area with my Trapani, Erice and Segesta Guide.  Trapani is my mother’s home town and it is a place I know very well, as I used to spend about 2 months…

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Fresh Troccoli pasta coated in rich pork ragù with tender pieces of slow-simmered pork.

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 served on a plate with fresh basil.

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…

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Palermo Guide – Italy

I am very excited about the next few posts on Italy, as I will be taking you with me to Sicily. You see, I was born in Milan (in the north of Italy), but my family comes from the beautiful island of Sicily and being away from Italy made me realise how much I owe…

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Sicilian Ricotta Crêpes

Sicilian Ricotta Crêpes

Today I will share with you a recipe that I have recently come up with while trying to finish off a few leftovers. If you follow Manu’s Menu, you already know that quite a few of my recipes come to life in this way. I hate wasting food… so I always try to be creative…

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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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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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