Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Peppered mussels served with toasted crusty bread and lemon wedges.

Impepata di Cozze (Peppered Mussels)

Juicy mussels with fragrant garlic and cracked black pepper fill every shell with briny, peppery flavour, making Impepata di Cozze a simple yet satisfying seafood dish.

Jasmine and Mango Panna Cotta

JASMINE AND MANGO PANNA COTTA SHOOTERS

These panna cotta shooters are a very elegant and exotic dessert.  I believe they would be the perfect dessert for any New Year’s Eve dinner party.  When I smell jasmine, I am always brought back in time… you see, in the house I used to spend my summer holidays in Sicily, we had a beautiful…

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Rose del Deserto - Desert Roses

ROSE DEL DESERTO – DESERT ROSES

Today I want to share with you a recipe that my mum learnt from one of her friends years ago and that has become a family favourite.  We call these cookies “Rose del deserto” or Desert Roses as they resemble the minerals of the same name that can be found in the desert.  Besides looking pretty,…

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CHILLED YOGURT CAKE WITH BLUEBERRY COMPOTE

Today’s dessert is a cold treat and it is one that is actually not too bad for you as it is made (mainly) with natural yogurt.  Back in Italy there is a famous pre mixed version of this that is sold in little boxes… you mix in some fresh ingredients and there you have your…

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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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Tart with Nutella on a plate with hazelnuts and strawberries around it.

Nutella Tarts

If you love simple chocolate bakes, these Nutella Tarts might be your new favourite! These irresistible tarts are soft, sweet, and ideal for gifting or adding to any dessert spread.

Close-up of pan-fried sausage with golden potatoes and fennel seeds.

Pan-Fried Sicilian Pork Sausage with Fennel

Homemade cooking feels easy with Pan-Fried Sicilian Pork Sausage with Fennel, using only three ingredients to create tender pork, crisp edges, and a mild fennel aroma.

Ginger Sesame Chicken served with steamed rice and chopsticks on a wooden table.

Ginger Sesame Chicken

Filled with sweet and savoury flavours, Ginger Sesame Chicken combines tender chicken, fresh ginger, and sesame seeds in a quick and easy stir-fry served with rice or noodles.

Sweet and Sour Tuna with Onions

SWEET AND SOUR TUNA WITH ONIONS

I really enjoy eating fresh tuna.  It is very common in Italy, especially in Sicily so I kind of grew up on it.  Since moving here, I haven’t seen it often at the stores, but when I do, I usually buy some.  Today I will share with you one of the ways my mum would…

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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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Passion fruit Curd and Lime Tarts

PASSION FRUIT CURD AND LIME TARTS

I had some pasta frolla dough and some Passion fruit Curd sitting in my freezer and I could not wait to use them up… together!  You see, pasta frolla is the Italian pie crust that we use to make crostata or simple cookies.  So the pairing was really very easy.  I just cooked the tarts…

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Smooth banana and coconut smoothie in glass jars with paper straws.

Banana Passion Fruit Smoothie

Creamy, tropical, and easy to sip, this Banana Passion Fruit Smoothie brings banana, coconut, and passion fruit together for a refreshing drink that feels light and sunny.

BAILEY’S MOUSSE

Happy Paddy’s Day everyone!  Raise your hand if you love Bailey’s!  I DO!!!  I am not a very keen wine drinker (I know I know… very un-Italian…), but cocktails, sweet wines and sweet liquors are a different matter.  And Bailey’s is one of my favourite… to drink and to cook with.  That is why in…

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Kahlúa coffee ice cream scoops in cones with a bottle of liqueur in the background.

Kahlúa Coffee Ice Cream

Smooth and creamy Kahlúa Coffee Ice Cream is a balanced homemade dessert that works well for casual dinners and adult gatherings.

Mimosa Cocktail

Fresh, fruity, and easy to sip, this Mimosa Cocktail brings a zesty brightness with a light, fizzy finish to any gathering.

Thin slices of raw beef topped with baby rocket and Grana Padano shavings on a serving plate.

Beef Carpaccio with Grana Padano and Rocket

Silky, paper-thin beef dressed in bright lemon and smooth olive oil makes Beef Carpaccio with Grana Padano and Rocket feel fresh and effortlessly simple.

Split Second Cookies

SPLIT-SECOND COOKIES

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.  Each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a recipe from and in turn…

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BEEF SCHIACCIATINA

This is one of my “go to” recipes for a quick, yet delicious mid week meal.  Schiacciatina means “something small that has been pressed”, and it is basically a very flat burger made with only ground beef, Parmigiano Reggiano, salt and pepper.  My mum used to make this often for me as a child.  I…

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Bowl of penne in rich tomato sauce with pieces of salami and melted cheese.

Salami Pasta Recipe (Penne with Provolone)

A classic Salami Pasta Recipe combining salty salami, tomato sauce, and soft melted provolone for a rich, satisfying plate of penne. I want to share one of my husband’s favourite pasta recipes. He loves salami and provolone, so when he first tasted these penne, he told me, “This is the best pasta I have ever…

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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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Home-made Chocolate Syrup

HOME-MADE CHOCOLATE SYRUP

Today I want to share with you a very easy recipe.  I love making at home, food that you would usually buy ready made at the stores.  It is often so much tastier and definitely healthier!  I actually had to make this for another recipe that called for chocolate syrup, which is an item that…

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Home-made Pumpkin purée

HOME-MADE PUMPKIN PURÉE

Come October-November I start seeing a lot of recipes that call for pumpkin purée… the truth is, the thought of looking for the canned version never even occurred to me.  I didn’t even know it existed before I started blogging… So, I looked it up on the internet and discovered that it is plain and…

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Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Vanilla Cream served with fresh passion fruit coulis on a white plate.

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Vanilla Cream

Silky vanilla cream and fresh passion fruit coulis make Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Vanilla Cream a chilled Italian dessert with smooth texture and bright flavour.

Green tagliatelle with tuna and ricotta

GREEN TAGLIATELLE WITH TUNA AND RICOTTA

Today I want to share with you a dish that is very dear to my heart.  It is a very simple recipe, but if made with home made pasta it can be a little bit more labour intensive (but so much worth it!).  The reason why I love it so much is because it reminds…

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Home-made Yogurt

HOME-MADE YOGURT

A couple of months ago, my friend Sawsan from Chef in Disguise posted a beautiful tutorial on how to make home-made yogurt.  Since I saw it, I knew I had to give it a try too!  This was my first time at making yogurt, but I remember my mum making it often when I was…

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Peach and Almond Trifle

PEACH AND ALMOND TRIFLE

Today’s recipe is another “spur of the moment” kind of recipe.  I made it a while ago and forgot all about it, until today when I was organising my archive.  I actually made it to finish up some of the crema pasticcera, cream and pan di spagna that I had left over from making my…

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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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