Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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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.

Top view of dairy-free chocolate muffins showing domed tops and chocolate chips.

Dairy-Free Chocolate Muffins

A fresh batch of Dairy-Free Chocolate Muffins can save any busy morning. Soft crumb, a rich chocolatey taste, and no dairy needed.

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!

Italian Vegetable Pie

Italian Vegetable Pie

Today’s recipe is a delicious Italian Vegetable Pie. It is very simple to make and it is lower in fat than a regular quiche, since it does not contain any milk or cream. You can use your favourite vegetables for this one and it is also a great way to finish off leftover vegetables lying…

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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.

Pizza Christmas Tree

Pizza Christmas Tree

I love puff pastry treats! They remind me of my childhood as they would always be part of all our festive spreads. This Pizza Christmas Tree is very easy and quick to make and it looks impressive. It would definitely make for a great appetiser idea to serve to family and friends this coming Christmas….

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Walnut Ciabatta Bread

Walnut Ciabatta Bread

As you know, I love baking bread and having recently discovered that I am lactose intolerant, that’s a great thing. Not many people know this, but lactose is not only found in milk and dairy products. Lactose is used as a preservative for cold meats like ham and salami for example, and it is often…

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Roasted Pumpkin and Carrot Quinoa Salad

I only recently discovered quinoa and now I am hooked. I love all grains that can be used to make salads (I have plenty of couscous and maftoul recipes on the blog already!), so I already knew I would like quinoa. And I was not mistaken. I love its crunch and its slight bitterness, especially…

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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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Bowl of cicatelli pasta coated in spicy tomato sauce.

Cicatelli Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce

Enjoy a bowl of Cicatelli Pasta with Arrabbiata Sauce, with perfectly cooked cicatelli smothered in spicy tomato sauce and finished with Pecorino Romano.

Homemade sweet potato mash in a ceramic bowl with a spoon on the side.

Sweet Potato Mash

Add warmth to your holiday menu with Sweet Potato Mash. It’s smooth, buttery, and naturally sweet, making it the perfect match for roasts and seasonal sides.

Close-up of a spoon lifting glossy homemade peach jam from a glass jar.

Homemade Peach Jam

Sweet, soft peaches turn into a golden jam that adds brightness to breakfast and desserts. Homemade Peach Jam is simple to make and brings back the taste of long summer days.

Pasta with Baby Eggplants

Pasta with Baby Eggplants

Finally I am back with another pasta recipe! This Pasta with Baby Eggplants is a dish my grandmother used to make in Sicily. I have always loved it… it’s very easy to make and whenever I find baby eggplants at the grocer, I always buy them to make this pasta. What sets this sauce aside…

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Fiadoni

Fiadoni

This year’s Easter recipe is Fiadoni. Fiadoni are a typical Easter dish from Abruzzo, in Central Italy. They are savoury ravioli, filled with cheese and then baked until golden brown. Usually, the cheese is a mix of dry grated sheep’s milk cheese (like Pecorino Romano) and a milder, less aged sheep’s milk cheese. I used…

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Close-up of a crispy fried spaghetti cake on a white plate over a checkered cloth.

Fried Pasta

Crisp, golden Fried Pasta with a savoury tomato aroma makes weekday lunches effortless, turning simple leftovers into something warm, satisfying, and ready in minutes. My mother often made fried pasta. It isn’t really a proper recipe since the ingredients don’t have exact proportions, and you can easily adjust it depending on what’s left in the…

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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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Brioche Potatoes

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…

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Middle-Eastern Chargrilled Pumpkin Salad

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…

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Parmigiano Reggiano Tortellini with Artichokes

Parmigiano Reggiano Tortellini with Artichokes

If you follow Manu’s Menu regularly, you will know that artichoke is my absolute favourite winter vegetable! Today I will show you how to make Parmigiano Reggiano Tortellini with Artichokes, a real treat! The tortellini are filled with Parmigiano Reggiano and the artichokes are used in a very simple sauce. The combination is amazing and…

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Honey Glazed Baby Carrots

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…

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Pineapple strawberry apple smoothie with striped straw on plate.

Pineapple Strawberry Apple Smoothie

Fresh Pineapple Strawberry Apple Smoothie with fruit and milk, a fresh, light, drinkable option for breakfast, brunch, or midday meals.

Saffron Pumpkin Porcini Risotto

Saffron Pumpkin Porcini Risotto

I must admit that one of the things I miss the most about living in the Northern Hemisphere are the seasons. Don’t get me wrong, we have the same seasons down here, but they are “reversed”. In fact, right now, it’s the end of spring. Besides the fact that I will never be able to…

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Slice of Pine Nut Cake with visible semolina layer served with lemon on the side.

Pine Nut Cake

Buttery crostata crust with a soft semolina centre and pine nuts baked on top gives this Pine Nut Cake a rich, nutty finish with a gentle hint of lemon.

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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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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