Manu’s Menu

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Sun-dried Tomato and Chickpea Maftoul Salad

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…

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Roasted Bell Peppers

Roasted Bell Peppers

Bell pepper, or capsicum as they are known here in Australia, are among my favourite vegetables.  I have always liked them, ever since I was little.  In summer, they would make a regular appearance on our table and I was always delighted.  My mother would make them in many different ways and even though my…

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Beet and Goat’s Cheese Salad with Mint Balsamic Vinaigrette

Beet and Goat’s Cheese Salad with Mint Balsamic Vinaigrette

I love cheese.  All kinds.  Goat’s cheese in at the top of my list, together with Gorgonzola, Parmigiano Reggiano and Taleggio.  I like it so much that I even learnt how to make it by myself, at home (click here to find out how to make your own Chėvre)!  I love how flavourful and tangy it…

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Bowl of Salada de Bacalhau e Grão with salted cod, chickpeas, red onion, and parsley served on a blue table.

Salada de Bacalhau e Grão

This light, make-ahead Salada de Bacalhau e Grão offers a refreshing way to use salted cod in a balanced, wholesome dish that fits both busy days and relaxed dinners.

Creamy Patatas Alioli served in a bowl with aioli and garlic cloves nearby.

Patatas Alioli

Smooth, garlicky Patatas Alioli make a quick, hearty side for family meals, ideal when you need something tasty that comes together with little effort.

Fresh tomato and labneh salad served with pomegranate dressing, cherry tomatoes and toasted flatbread.

Middle Eastern Tomato Salad with Labneh

Juicy tomatoes pair with creamy labneh and a fragrant za’atar dressing in this Tomato Salad with Labneh and Pomegranate Dressing, making it a refreshing side dish for barbecues and lunches.

A fresh bowl of Fattoush salad with crispy khubz, cucumbers, radishes, pomegranate, and sumac dressing.

Fattoush with Sumac Dressing

Bright, zesty, and refreshing, this Fattoush with Sumac Dressing brings together the best of crispy bread, fresh vegetables, and a tangy sumac dressing. Perfect for meal prepping or a quick lunch.

Green bean, tomato and potato salad

Green Bean, Tomato and Potato Salad

Today I want to share with you the recipe for a delicious and healthy side dish.  This Green Bean Tomato and Potato Salad is very special to me and eating it always takes me back in time.  My mum would often make it in summer when we were holidaying in Sicily.  It is a very…

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Braised Fennel with Red Wine Vinegar

BRAISED FENNEL WITH RED WINE VINEGAR

Going through my Recipe Archive, I have realised that I don’t have as many side dish recipes as I should!  So today I will share with you a very quick and delicious side dish, perfect to accompany both meat (especially pork) and fish: Braised Fennel with Red Wine Vinegar.  It is a dish my mum…

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Couscous, Olive and Orange Salad

COUSCOUS, OLIVE AND ORANGE SALAD

Ohhh I love couscous and I make it in all kinds of ways.  My all time favourite is my mum’s (and grandma’s) traditional Fish Couscous, but I also make the pre cooked version and serve it as a side dish.  And then there is leftover plain couscous.  Which is like a white canvas that can…

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A bowl of Spinach and Rocket Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette on a wooden table.

Spinach and Rocket Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette

Fresh strawberries bring a naturally sweet twist to Spinach and Rocket Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette, pairing perfectly with baby spinach, peppery rocket, and crunchy toasted pecans.

COUSCOUS AND HERB SALAD

Couscous is one of my favourite side dishes.  I love the fact that it is so versatile and that it can be easily turned into a light and healthy main dish for a weekday lunch.  I usually make couscous to go with my Lemon Chicken Tajine with Olives or my LambTajine with Quinces and I sometimes have…

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Easy Eggplant Parmigiana

EASY EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Today I want to share with you my family’s recipe for Eggplant Parmigiana.  It is a simplified and lighter version of the classic Parmigiana that has mozzarella inside and needs baking.  This is a much faster recipe and I love to make it in summer, when I do not feel like turning on the oven…

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Raita in a glass bowl topped with cumin seeds, coriander, mint, and red chilli powder.

Raita

Cool, creamy, and refreshing, Raita brings balance to any Indian meal. Thick yoghurt mixed with herbs, vegetables, and gentle spice creates a side dish that pairs perfectly with biryani, curry, or grilled meats.

CAPSICUM STUFFED FLANK STEAK WITH PUMPKIN CREAM

A little while ago I shared with you the recipe of my family equivalent of a Sunday Roast: Falsomagro and I have already talked about how hard it is to reproduce certain dishes when moving from one country to another (or to the other side of the world, like in my case).  You can find all…

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Pumpkin and Fontina Croquettes

PUMPKIN AND FONTINA CROQUETTES

I found this recipe while browsing the Internet and it was love at first sight! I must admit I had only ever made croquettes out of potatoes, so the idea of being able to use pumpkin instead opened up a whole new world of possibilities! It is a delicious recipe that can be served either…

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Fuji Fruit, Spinach and Rocket Salad

GRILLED FUJI FRUIT, SPINACH AND ROCKET SALAD

I have noticed that l don’t have enough recipes for side dishes on the blog, so I thought of remedying that and today I am going to share with you the recipe for a delicious salad.  This is perfect for autumn, when fuji fruits are in season.  In fact I have had this recipe in…

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Naan

NAAN

I don’t think there is anything as hearty and delicious as home-made bread.  Any kind of bread.  The smell itself is soothing… My girls LOVE eating bread, so I try and make it at home as much as possible.  Whenever I cook an Indian meal, I make naan, either with garlic or, like in the…

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Polenta Concia layered with melted Gorgonzola, Fontina, and Parmigiano Reggiano.

Polenta Concia

Turn simple polenta into Polenta Concia, a baked northern Italian main from Lombardia with Gorgonzola, Fontina, Parmigiano Reggiano, and butter.

Fagioli all'uccelletto

FAGIOLI ALL’UCCELLETTO

Today’s Regional Italian dish is from Tuscany and more specifically from the beautiful city of Florence.  It is a very simple yet tasty recipe that can be served as a vegetarian/vegan main dish or, as it is common in Tuscany, as a side to barbecued Italian sausages.  Fagioli all’uccelletto is an ancient recipe made of…

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Paper thin dosa served with coconut chutney.

Dosa and Coconut Chutney

Thin Dosa and Coconut Chutney with crisp edges and a soft centre bring a gentle tang, cooked fresh for a traditional South Indian pairing.

Roasted chicken leg served with golden potatoes on a white plate with rosemary garnish.

Roasted Chicken with Potatoes (Pollo al Forno con Patate)

The holidays can be busy, but Roasted Chicken with Potatoes (Pollo al Forno con Patate) keeps things simple, one pan, a few ingredients, and the flavour of home.

Garlic Naan

GARLIC NAAN

Naan is my favourite Indian bread… and I always order garlic Naan when we eat out.  My girls love it too (they are both bread lovers) and as I have been baking much more bread since I started blogging, I had to try and make these at home.  I have to say that they came…

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Hari Chutney

HARI CHUTNEY

I have a couple of Indian recipes coming up for you in the next few days. Today I want to start with a basic chutney, one that can be used in many dishes and chances are, if you have ever eaten at an Indian restaurant, you have eaten this with some tandoori dish. It is…

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Eggplant Involtini

EGGPLANT INVOLTINI

I think I have already said this but eggplant is one of my favourite veggie.  You can make so many things with it and it always tastes so good!  Today I am going to share with you the recipe for what has to be my all time favourite side dish (that can easily double up…

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Homemade damper bread served beside an Australian flag and ribbons.

Australian Damper

A fresh batch of Australian Damper always feels like a treat. The inside stays soft and the crust turns crisp, making it an easy loaf to serve with soup or simple spreads.

Roasted Tomato, Rocket and Macadamia Salad

ROAST TOMATO, ROCKET AND MACADAMIA SALAD

This is the salad I served as one of the sides for my “Come have some Aussie tucker, mate!” party for Foodbuzz 24×24.  It is one of those salads with fancy names that you could easily see on a café menu, yet it is very easy and quick to make at home.  These are the…

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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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