Manu’s Menu

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A glass jar of papaya jam placed on a decorative tile with a blue cloth in the background.

Papaya Jam

Few things feel as rewarding as making your own Papaya Jam. It’s smooth, golden, and perfect for spreading on toast with a cup of tea.

One Pot Mushroom Rice

One Pot Mushroom Rice

Mmmm a One Pot Mushroom Rice?? Yes, you read that right! To make this delicious rice, you only need one pot! And cleaning has never been easier! ManuLove travelling as much as cooking? Many of the recipes I share are inspired by places I’ve visited around the world. On Travel with Manu you’ll find destination…

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Mango Sorbet

Mango Sorbet

Since moving to Australia I have fallen in love with mangoes. I had eaten them already during holidays outside of Europe (Indian mangoes are amazing!), but mangoes in Italy are… well… pretty tasteless. ManuLove travelling as much as cooking? Many of the recipes I share are inspired by places I’ve visited around the world. On…

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Vegan Mango Bundt Cake

Vegan Mango Bundt Cake

Today’s recipe is yet another vegan dessert: Vegan Mango Bundt Cake. Since discovering that I am lactose intolerant, I have been experimenting quite a bit with vegan desserts. ManuLove travelling as much as cooking? Many of the recipes I share are inspired by places I’ve visited around the world. On Travel with Manu you’ll find…

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Home-made Vegan Nutella

Home-made Vegan Nutella #WorldNutellaDay

Happy World Nutella Day everyone! If you follow Manu’s Menu more or less regularly, you will know that I LOVE Nutella. I grew up eating it in Italy (yes, it is an Italian product!) and I still love it. However, you may also know that I have recently discovered that I am severely lactose intolerant….

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Vegan Apple Spice Cake

Vegan Apple Spice Cake

As you may know, I have recently discovered that I am lactose intolerant. That means that I have to also find new ways to satisfy my sweet tooth, so I am always on the lookout for recipes that do not include dairy. Good vegan recipes, like this Vegan Apple Spice Cake, are always great, as…

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Bowl of fried bell peppers, potatoes, and onions served warm on a wooden board.

Fried Bell Peppers and Potatoes

Crispy Fried Bell Peppers and Potatoes cooked in olive oil make an easy Italian side dish with sweet peppers and golden potatoes.

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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Pumpkin Jam

Pumpkin Jam

Have you ever had Pumpkin Jam? I personally love it and I also love the fact that it is really easy to make. This version also has a hint of freshly grated ginger to it, and I think it works really well with the pumpkin flavour. You can use this jam to make tarts, pies,…

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Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread

This Pumpkin Bread is stunning, even if I say so myself. Besides looking good, it is also extremely tasty and very easy to make. It makes the perfect addition to your fall table, so I suggest you bookmark this recipe for the upcoming holiday season! This bread doesn’t only look like a pumpkin, it is…

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Coconut Banana Mandarin Smoothie

Coconut Banana Mandarin Smoothie

I don’t know about you, but I always seem to have overripe bananas in my kitchen! I try and buy them more on the green side, but they always ripen way too fast! I often make banana bread (check this one out – it is my absolute favourite!), but this time I felt like having…

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Italian Salad

Italian Salad

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…

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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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Strawberry Granita

Strawberry Granita

The weather here is getting warmer and strawberries are in season, sweet and full of flavour!  So I didn’t think twice and took my ice cream machine out to make this easy and delicious Strawberry Granita! Italians are famous for their frozen treats and we often have granita for breakfast. Make sure to serve this strawberry…

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potato-based-focaccia

Potato-based Focaccia

I love baking all sorts of bread, but Focaccia is my favourite. I have always loved eating it: Italian focaccia is AMAZING and it is one of the things I miss the most about Italy. As there is no way of finding a focaccia that is just as good where I live, I have been…

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Home-made Apple Pie Spice Mix

Home-made Apple Pie Spice Mix

Living in Australia, I do not find many of the spice mixes available in North America (or in Europe), so I often make my own. Besides, these spice mixes are usually made by stirring together spices that are commonly available everywhere in the world. I already showed you how to make Cajun Seasoning, Pumpkin Pie…

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Passato di Verdure

Passato di Verdure

Today I am going to share with you a typical Italian recipe: Passato di Verdure, aka Italian vegetable veloute. It is a very common soup and we often have it during the cold autumn and winter months. The truth is, there is no real recipe for Passato di Verdure, as its ingredients can vary from…

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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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A stack of cooked wholemeal chapatis cooling on a rack.

Wholemeal Chapati

A stack of homemade Wholemeal Chapati tastes amazing with curries, stews, or grilled dishes. Ideal for dipping, scooping, and wrapping when you want a simple flatbread.

Eggplant Caviar

Eggplant Caviar

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…

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Celery stick being dipped into olive oil vinaigrette beside carrots and cherry tomatoes.

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.

Black Olive Tapenade

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…

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Bhel Puri served in a paper cone with sev, coriander and papdi.

Bhel Puri

Crisp puffed rice, golden sev, and soft potato cubes come together in Bhel Puri, coated in sticky tamarind and fresh green chutney for a sweet and spicy punch.

Espinacas a la Catalana

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…

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Pa Amb Tomaquet

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…

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Italian Grilled Vegetables

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…

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Pineapple Coconut Banana Smoothie

Pineapple Coconut Banana Smoothie

Smoothies are always a great and healthy afternoon snack idea for kids. My children love them and it is a fantastic way to make them eat some fruits and use up some leftovers too. As a child, I would always ask my mother to make me a Banana and Pear Frullato (the Italian version of…

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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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