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…
Nonna’s Poached Pears
Today’s recipe brings back very fond memories of my grandmother Bice. She was a fantastic cook and she could whip up amazing dishes. These easy pears though were like a trademark. Only she could turn something so simple into a fingerlicking dessert. To make this recipe, you need small cooking pears that are still hard…
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…
Chole Masala
Another Indian recipe on MsM today! When I posted the recipe for Bhatura, a deep-fried leavened bread from the North of India, I promised I would also share the recipe for Chole Masala (also known as Chana Masala). This amazingly tasty chickpea curry is always served with Bhatura and together they make up a dish…
Bhatura
Today I want to share with you the recipe for a delicious North Indian bread called Bhatura. I had it for the first time in an Indian eatery here in Sydney, famous for its street food and I simply fell in love with it. It is a fluffy deep-fried leavened bread and it’s usually served…
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…
Onion Pakoras
Vimala was our host for the November Daring Cooks challenge and she invited us to try our hands at some Indian snacks and treats. What amazing timing… as Indians have just celebrated Diwali – the festival of lights. I am very happy to share with all of you the recipe for one of my favourite Indian…
Biancomangiare with Citrus Salad
Today’s recipe is all about Sicily. Last week I shared with you the recipe for Sicilian Almond Milk, a deliciously sweet drink. Besides drinking it plain, it also makes a great base for desserts like Biancomangiare. Biancomangiare (where bianco means “white” and mangiare means “to eat”) is a traditional Italian pudding and in its Sicilian version it…
Bruschetta with Eggplant and Matarocco
With summer just around the corner, ML Spell from Dry Spell invited us to play with fire! She challenged us to make some mouthwatering eats on the grill for the June daring cooks challenge. Well, as you are probably aware, I live in Australia and even though the weather is usually not extremely cold,…
Olive Schiacciate
Olive Schiacciate (or Cracked Olives) are very popular in Italy, especially in the South. They are cracked olives in brine. I remember going to one of the beautiful and colourful markets in Palermo as a child and getting drawn to the stalls that would sell olives. They had so many different kinds. Mountains of delicious,…
Seeded Cranberry Crunch Granola Bars
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…
Moroccan Mint Tea
Brew Moroccan Mint Tea for a soothing blend of sweetness and minty warmth, a comforting drink to enjoy any time of day.
Ful Medames
I made this dish for the Middle Eastern breakfast we were asked to prepare for this month’s Daring Cooks challenge. Ful Medames is an Egyptian dish made with cooked and mashed fava beans, tomatoes, tahini, lemon juice, fresh coriander leaves, spring onions and extra virgin olive oil. It is a staple meal in Egypt, but…
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…
Cinnamon Apple Chips
During the Christmas holidays, we all tend to eat a lot. And we also snack a lot more than during other times of the year. I find it easier to snack on healthy food and fresh fruits here in Australia, as it is summer, but for all my friends and family up in the Northern…
Coconut Caramel 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…
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…
Minestrone
Having grown up in Milan, where winters are quite cold, I have had my fair share of soups. In fact, my mum would often make soup for dinner. My favourite has always been Pasta e Fagioli, but she has always made a fantastic Minestrone. Contrary to what it may seem, Minestrone is actually a pretty…
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.
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…
Mostarda Mantovana
Add something extra to your meals with Mostarda Mantovana. This traditional Italian condiment brings a zesty sweetness and a subtle spice that pairs perfectly with your favourite dishes.
GUACAMOLE
I love Guacamole. I must admit that, before falling in love with my Chocolate Avocado Mousse, Guacamole was the only reason I would buy avocados as I don’t know many recipes that use it. Avocados in Italy are not that good as they are rarely ripe, so I wasn’t used to eating them regularly, which…
Mango and Passion Fruit Cocktail
This refreshing Mango and Passion Fruit Cocktail, made with mango, passion fruit, and sparkling wine, is light, fruity, and full of tropical flavour. It’s easy to enjoy on warm afternoons or during relaxed summer dinners.
SPINACH, ROCKET AND STRAWBERRY SALAD WITH STRAWBERRY VINAIGRETTE
I have seen quite a few recipes of salads that include strawberries lately and I was very curious to try one myself. I usually enjoy having fruits in savoury dishes and I think strawberries (and berries in general) make for fantastic savoury ingredients as they are slightly tart and not overly sweet. I have even…
MATAROCCO
For this week’s Regional Italian dish I am going to take you back to Sicily. Today’s recipe is really easy and really tasty, it is one of those family recipes that we would always have during our summer holidays. It is hearty and delicious, full of “local” flavours as all the ingredients are easily available in…
CHOCOLATE AVOCADO MOUSSE
Chocolate mousse is one of my favourite desserts. I think all the chocoholics out there will agree with me: there is nothing better than digging the spoon into a soft, silky chocolate mousse. Heaven! However, chocolate mousse often involves raw eggs and/or cream, which means it is probably not very child (and hips) friendly. Well,…
BANANA, COCONUT AND PASSION FRUIT SMOOTHIE
Lately I have been experimenting quite a bit with smoothies and shakes. The truth is, I have been left with some ripe fruits that needed to be used and I wanted to make something light and healthy with it. Besides, I always find that smoothies are a great way to get my fussy children to…
