Some readers have asked me to share more Italian side dishes on the blog. I actually hadn’t realised that I didn’t have many! It’s probably because Italian side dishes are pretty easy and straightforward and I never think they are “blog worthy”. But then again, they may be straightforward for me, having grown up in…
Brioche Potatoes
Today I am back with a delicious side dish: Brioche Potatoes. This was one of my grandmother Bice’s specialty and now that my mum is in town, we have made them again. It is a very easy recipe, really, what what sets these potatoes apart is their shape. They are called “Brioche” because they have…
Middle-Eastern Chargrilled Pumpkin Salad
I made this Middle-Eastern Chargrilled Pumpkin Salad as one of the side dishes for our Christmas Eve dinner, as it paired really well with the stuffing of the roast pork I had made. I loved the blend of Middle Eastern spices that goes into this warm simple salad. Sumac is one of my all time…
Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
I made these Honey Glazed Baby Carrots as one of the side dishes for our Christmas Eve dinner. I love baby carrots as they taste sweet and delicious and this is one of my favourite dishes. It also helps that it is very quick and easy to make, which makes it the perfect addition to…
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…
Sicilian Eggplant Bake
Eggplant are my absolute favourite summer vegetable (while artichokes top my list in winter!) and today’s recipe is an absolute keeper. It is a Sicilian Eggplant Bake made with tomato sauce, salami, mozzarella, breadcrumbs, Pecorino Romano and topped with beaten eggs. It is then baked till golden brown. It is sort of like a variation…
Swordfish Caponata
Today’s recipe is a variation of one of the most popular Sicilian dishes: Caponata (click here for the recipe I shared a while ago). This Swordfish Caponata has all the ingredients of the original dish – including eggplant, olives and capers, plus swordfish. Caponata could be described as a cooked salad made up of fried…
Pinzimonio
Today I want to share with you a traditional Italian recipe called Pinzimonio. It is more than just a recipe, it is a style of eating raw vegetables by dipping them into a vinaigrette. You can use the vegetables you prefer, based on the season. I like to use carrot sticks, celery sticks, fennel, radishes…
Buttered Potatoes
Today I want to share with you a quick side dish recipe: Buttered Potatoes. I often make these potatoes instead of mash when I don’t have a lot of time. They taste delicious and absolve the same purpose of mash: to soak up all the yummy sauce or gravy of the dish they accompany. And…
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…
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…
Aloo Tikki
Today’s recipe is a delicious Indian appetiser. Well, it’s more like a snack really, but it is also served as an appetiser at restaurants. I personally love Aloo Tikki and I often make them at home. You could say that they are the Indian version of potato croquettes and they are packed with flavour thanks…
Korokke
Korokke (コロッケ) were my youngest daughter’s favourite snack during our trip to Japan! Korokke are potato croquettes coated in panko and then deep fried. In Japan you can find many different kinds of korokke and I have already shared with you the recipe for Beef Korokke and Cheese Korokke. Today’s recipe is the basic version…
Spiced Potato Wedges with Easy Sweet Chilli Sauce
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. It is a great concept… each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a…
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…
Cheese Korokke #SundaySupper
This week the Sunday Supper team is sharing Asian recipes!!! And, as you know, I have been sharing a few Japanese recipes lately, so this week’s theme couldn’t have come at a better time! During our recent Japanese holiday, we had so much amazing food. Korokke (コロッケ) were my youngest daughter’s favourite snack! Korokke are potato…
Puntarelle alla Romana
During my recent trip to Italy, I didn’t really forget about my readers! Even though I was on holiday, I still did a little cooking. There are a few dishes that I have always wanted to share with you, but never could, as I was not able to find the ingredients for them. So… I…
Beef Korokke
During our recent Japanese holiday, we had a lot of amazing food. In fact, Japanese cuisine is so much more than just (fantastic) sushi and sashimi! My youngest daughter especially liked korokke (コロッケ), aka potato croquettes coated in panko and then deep fried. Need I say more? Maybe I should also specify that there are…
Mixed Tomato and Halloumi Salad
I am enjoying the Italian springtime at the moment and I can’t help but thinking about the amazing tomato crop that will soon be available at the local markets. There is absolutely nothing better than ripe Italian tomatoes! I must say though, that Australia too grows some delicious tomatoes, like the ones in this recipe. …
Gyoza
I love potstickers and Japanese Gyoza – 餃子(ぎょうざ) are my absolute favourite! I love the crunchy skin and the soft and tasty filling.
Torta Pasqualina Umbra
Today I’d like to share with you a traditional Easter recipe from the Italian region of Umbria. Umbria is famous around the world for its hilly landscapes and old towns, such as Assisi and Orvieto to name just two. It is a wonderful area of Italy and besides being beautiful, it also boasts delicious hearty…
Carciofi in Pinzimonio
I grew up in a family of artichoke lovers. Every week, in winter, my parents would buy plenty of artichokes at the local market and we would eat them in all sorts of ways. I have already shared a few recipes and ideas on what to do with this delicious vegetable, and today I am…
Onion Crusted Scotch Fillet with home-made Chips
A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Toollio, a very handy kitchen tool that really makes your life easier when it comes to cooking. Today, I want to show you yet another recipe that I have created using this fantastic appliance: Onion Crusted Scotch Fillet with home-made Chips. It is another very quick meal idea, as…
Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes
A little while ago, I was so lucky to find some amazing artichokes at the markets. I got a tray full of them… and made them in many different ways. Remember my Carciofi alla Trapanese recipe? Those too were part of this batch… Today, I will show you yet another way of preparing a delicious…
Croquetas de Jamón Serrano
I must admit that even though I love Australia, I often miss Europe. I was born and brought up in Milan, which is practically in the middle of Europe. By car, you can get to Switzerland in 30 minutes, to the South of France and Austria in 3 hours and in 5 hours you are…
Carciofi alla Trapanese #SundaySupper
This week the Sunday Supper team is sharing recipes for lighter foods to balance out the indulgences that go along with all the feasting, parties and celebrations of the upcoming holiday season. And what better than artichokes to eat lighter, healthier but still delicious food? Did you know that the total antioxidant capacity of artichokes is one…
Sun-dried Tomato and Chickpea Maftoul Salad
A few months ago, I shared with you the recipe for Maftoul with Chicken, a traditional Palestinian dish. As you know I am part of the Daring Cooks and one of the challenges was to make Maftoul from scratch! So, what is Maftoul? I have seen it many times on the shelves of my local…
