Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Homemade coffee liqueur served in small glasses with a swing-top bottle, coffee beans, and vanilla on a soft cloth background.

Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur

Rich espresso and vanilla flavour give this Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur a deep taste and slightly syrupy texture. Pour it over ice, into cocktails, or over gelato for an easy treat.

MANU’S CHRISTMAS MENUS – BOOK GIVEAWAY

As many of you already know, I have recently published my first eBook: Manu’s Christmas Menus.  The eBook contains 20 original recipes, divided in 4 menus, to help you bring Italy to your table this holiday Season. All recipes have step by step instructions and pictures and they have never been published before (so you…

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MANU’S CHRISTMAS MENUS

Today is a big day for me.  I can finally share with all of you a project that I have been working on for the last three months.  It’s been hard doing all of it quietly as I am not very good at keeping things to myself when I am very excited about something.  But…

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SALTED NUTELLA CHOCOLATE FUDGE

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…

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White Chocolate Passion fruit Truffles

WHITE CHOCOLATE PASSION FRUIT TRUFFLES

I told you I would not forget about you!!  So here I am with a sweet tropical recipe: White Chocolate Passion Fruit Truffles!  I love passion fruit and I think it goes very well with chocolate, especially the white kind, as its slightly tart flavour combines perfectly with the sweetness of white chocolate!  These truffles…

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Cotechino with Lentils

COTECHINO WITH LENTILS

Today I want to share with you a classic Italian recipe: cotechino with lentils.  I don’t think there is a single household in Italy that will not serve this dish on New Year’s Eve.  It is a huge tradition.  Also, lentils are supposed to bring good luck and money in the new year, so we…

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Panettone

PANETTONE

Merry Christmas everybody!  I know you will be very busy in your kitchens today (or at the malls, getting your last minute Christmas shopping done!), but I just could not stop myself from sharing this special recipe with all of you today: Panettone! ManuLove travelling as much as cooking? Many of the recipes I share…

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Green Lasagne with Stracchino, Artichokes and Sausage

GREEN LASAGNE WITH STRACCHINO, ARTICHOKES AND SAUSAGE

When I think of comfort food, the first image that comes to my mind is a plate full of lasagne… no matter how they are made (with a classic beef sauce, with pesto or with any other ingredients), lasagne represent comfort food to me (and the majority of Italians).  They are easily going to be…

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Pistachio and Cardamom Semifreddo with Rose Cream

PISTACHIO AND CARDAMOM SEMIFREDDO WITH ROSE CREAM

Today I want to share with you the recipe for a special dessert.  A few weeks ago, my friend Abeer from Cake Whiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of a special project she was working on for Christmas.  She asked a few of her favourite bloggers to come up with a Christmas…

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Biscotti di fichi - Fig Cookies

BISCOTTI DI FICHI – FIG COOKIES

Today, as part of my series on Regional Italian Cuisines, I want to share with you the recipe for a very traditional Christmas Sicilian sweet: biscotti di fichi.  They are made with the same dough and filling of Buccellato (the traditional Sicilian cake I have shared with you last year), but they are a bit…

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Marrons glacés arranged in paper cups with a glossy sugar coating.

Marrons Glacés (Candied Chestnuts)

Soft, glossy Marrons Glacés with a delicate vanilla scent and gentle sweetness, slowly infused in syrup, perfect for serving at Christmas or alongside coffee after a special meal.

Chocolate Fudge

CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Who doesn’t like chocolate??  Well… I know a couple of people who are not crazy about it, but really… not many, right?  When it comes to home-made Christmas gifts, chocolate never fails and I try to always include something chocolatey in my little hampers.  This year I made my favourite fudge!  I made it for…

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Chocolate Cookies with Orange and Mint Glazes

CHOCOLATE COOKIES WITH ORANGE AND MINT GLAZE

A little while ago, my friend Diane from Muppys asked me if I wanted to take part to this year’s Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap.  I checked it out and immediately said yes.  The Great Food Blogger Cookie Swap brings together food bloggers from around the world in a big cookie swap: you sign up, receive…

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Soft Vanilla and Pink Salt Caramels

SOFT VANILLA & PINK SALT CARAMELS

I made these caramels to give away as presents for Christmas this year.  I had wanted to try and make my own caramels for ages, but all the recipes I came across had corn syrup as one of the ingredients and I wasn’t very keen on it… especially since I have never seen it around…

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Bottle of homemade Baileys Irish Cream with a glass and coffee syrup on the side.

Homemade Baileys Irish Cream

A glass of Homemade Baileys Irish Cream with its creamy chocolate flavour rounds out dessert time and gives you an easy way to finish dinner with something gently sweet.

Fish Couscous

FISH COUSCOUS

I finally get to share with you what we ate on Christmas day and one of my all time favourite dishes: fish couscous.  It is a traditional and ancient recipe from Trapani, the town in Western Sicily where my mum is from.  In fact, this is a “guest post from my mum” who is presenting…

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Almond Parfait - Parfait di Mandorle

AUNT MARIA’S ALMOND PARFAIT

Almond parfait is my favourite semifreddo.  I love the crunch of the almond that contrasts with the otherwise soft ice cream like texture!  It is a traditional Sicilian dessert, very popular in the area of Trapani, the city where my mum was born.  I have already shared a recipe for almond parfait when I first…

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Buccellato

BUCCELLATO – CUCCIDDATU

Buccellato is a Sicilian cake traditionally eaten during the holiday season, especially on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve… so it had to be featured on the  Sicilian Street Food New Year’s Eve Party I organised for this month’s Foodbuzz 24×24 event!  It is a ring shaped shortbread cake filled with dried figs, raisins, candied fruits,…

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Il Siciliano Cocktail

IL SICILIANO COCKTAIL

Sicily is very famous for its citrus fruits… be it lemons, mandarins or oranges.  So, one of the drinks for the Sicilian Street Food New Year’s Eve Party that I organised as part of Foodbuzz’s 24×24 program had to have some citrus in it.  I chose orange, because it is sweet and I have a…

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Pomegranate Martini

POMEGRANATE MARTINI

I always associate pomegranate with Christmas and New Year.  It is very common to see it on an Italian table during the holidays.  I love its intense ruby colour and the juicy, yet crunchy texture of its seeds.  I think it is one of the prettiest fruits that exist!  Being very common in the Mediterranean…

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Profiteroles

PROFITEROLES

Maybe not everyone knows that profiteroles, also known as choux pastries, are originally from Italy.  In fact, they were introduced in France by Caterina de’ Medici, wife of Henry II of France, together with many other dishes.  I love choux pastries or bignè, as we usually call them.  They are so light and fluffy and…

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SNAPPER EN PAPILLOTE

I am not a huge fan of fish… I like it, but when given the choice, fish is never on top of the list.  The truth is, I like fish that is not easily available in Sydney: sardines, anchovies, small mackerel… However, on Christmas Eve, we tried to follow the Italian tradition of eating fish. …

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Parmigiano Reggiano Fagottini in Chicken Broth

PARMIGIANO REGGIANO FAGOTTINI IN CHICKEN BROTH

In Italy, a typical Christmas Eve dinner always includes some stuffed pasta, better if it is home-made and “di magro” (which means without meat).  We often serve this pasta in chicken broth and it is such a comforting food!  So, to follow the tradition, I decided to make stuffed pasta and serve it with chicken…

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PAIN BRIOCHE

Pâté is one of the things I love the most and it always makes an appearance on our family table for special occasions… and this Christmas Eve was no exception.  I also found a quick recipe for pain brioche, which is the ideal bread to serve pâté with… and I am sharing it with you,…

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today there won’t be any recipe on MsM… it is the time to celebrate and above all it is the time to enjoy the company of your loved ones.  My parents have been here for a couple of weeks already and we are all having a great time together.  The kids especially are having a…

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Chicken consommé with saffron served with tortellini in a white bowl.

Chicken Consommé with Saffron and Tortellini

Light yet flavourful, Chicken Consommé with Saffron and Tortellini brings together soft pasta and a fragrant broth in one calming, comforting bowl.

Semifreddo al Torroncino with Hot Chocolate Sauce served with chocolate drizzle and hazelnuts.

Semifreddo al Torroncino

Cold, creamy semifreddo with crunchy torrone, finished with warm chocolate sauce, makes Semifreddo al Torroncino with Hot Chocolate Sauce satisfying from the first spoonful.

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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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
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MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

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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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