I grew up in Europe during the 90’s and the war in the former Yugoslavia was very close for us living in Italy. I had visited Croatia as a child, and looking at the terrible images coming from across the border would make me shiver. A few months ago, a friend of mine visited Bosnia…
Cajun Burgers
With both the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras around the corner, how about putting some cajun spice into your life? As you know, I love to come up with different combinations of flavours for burgers and this recipe is an absolute keeper. Remember I shared my home-made recipe for Cajun Seasoning in my last post?…
Sticky Chinese 5 Spice Wings
You can never have enough chicken wings recipes! That’s one of my favourite mottos. They are great for entertaining and for footy night and I am yet to meet someone who doesn’t like them. Today’s recipe is delicious: sticky, sweet, spicy, tangy and hearty thanks to the Chinese 5 Spice Mix. These wings are baked…
Chicken 65
I love Indian food and I try to cook it as much as possible at home. I also love to eat out though and we recently tried out a new place, not too far from home. They had a dish on their menu that caught my attention: Chicken 65. The name was too intriguing, so…
Chicken Kabsa
For the month of October, Sawsan from Chef in Disguise challenged us to prepare a rice based main meal that represents our own culture, or one from a cuisine that we would like to explore. Now that’s the kind of Daring Cooks challenge I like! I love rice actually. At first I thought of making risotto,…
Skillet Pizza Chicken
My kids love pizza… I know, I know… who doesn’t? The thing is, when it comes to pizza, they are very picky. It must be their Italian genes… They also love chicken (it is their favourite source of protein), so I thought it would be a great idea to combine these 2 likes into a…
Creamy Pumpkin Soup
Come September and I start craving warm comforting food. It does not matter that we are in the middle of spring and the days are getting longer here in Australia. I have been living here for almost 10 years, but I think my mind will never get used to the reverse seasons. So, to satisfy…
Tonkatsu Sandwich
I first had Tonkatsu Sandwiches when we bought them in Shin-Osaka on our way to Hiroshima/Miyajima and it was love at first bite. The bread was so soft and the meat was crunchy, yet tender and juicy: it was perfection in a sandwich. I also really liked the sauce in it, but my daughters were…
Cheese Korokke #SundaySupper
This week the Sunday Supper team is sharing Asian recipes!!! And, as you know, I have been sharing a few Japanese recipes lately, so this week’s theme couldn’t have come at a better time! During our recent Japanese holiday, we had so much amazing food. Korokke (コロッケ) were my youngest daughter’s favourite snack! Korokke are potato…
Beef Korokke
During our recent Japanese holiday, we had a lot of amazing food. In fact, Japanese cuisine is so much more than just (fantastic) sushi and sashimi! My youngest daughter especially liked korokke (コロッケ), aka potato croquettes coated in panko and then deep fried. Need I say more? Maybe I should also specify that there are…
Cream of Pea and Mint Risotto
I love playing with risotto and making it different every time. There’s much more than Mushroom risotto in the “risotto world”. You just need to give it a chance. You can actually make risotto with almost any vegetable and/or cheese. Today I played with a classic combination of Italian cuisine: peas and mint. I blended…
Tsukune
I am back in Sydney, after a few weeks travelling around Japan and Italy! Hopefully you have followed my adventures on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram! I had an amazing time, visiting beautiful places, meeting family and friends and tasting awesome food! I will be sharing some of these adventures and photos in the next few…
South American Lamb Stew
As you know, I am travelling at the moment, so I thought of asking some of my favourite food blogger friends to come over and share some of their amazing creations with all of you! I told you I would leave you in great company, right? Today I have the honour of having yet another…
Mahi Mahi with Caponata Sauce
I just came back from a wonderful week in Sicily, filled with emotions, as I got to spend time with some relatives and friends I hadn’t seen in 7 years and I got to show my kids places filled with childhood memories that they had never seen before! And to celebrate this moment, today I…
Dried Porcini and Saffron Risotto
As I have said many times, Risotto alla Milanese (Saffron Risotto) is the first dish I have ever cooked all by myself… I was probably about 6 or 7 years old. It’s always been my favourite risotto and I was so good at it, that whenever my grandfather would visit us from Sicily, he always asked…
Cherry Tomato Tarte Tatin
Tarte Tatins are among my favourite tarts… and I like them both sweet and savoury. The reason is simple: they obviously taste amazing with that hint of caramel on the top, but they also look a thousand bucks. Shiny, luscious and plain scrumptious. I have already shared the recipe for one of my favourites: Red…
Artichoke and Taleggio Risotto
Today I want to share another of my risotto recipes. As you know, I like risotto probably more than pasta and I make it often. Actually, as it can be made so quickly, I often make it for lunch when I am home alone. Yes, you read that right! Unlike what many people think, risotto…
Swordfish Impanata
Today’s dish is another one of my Sicilian recipes: Swordfish Impanata. Impanata is Italian for empanada and they are basically the same thing: pastry with a filling. Unlike the South American empanadas, this Sicilian version is made like a pie and portioned only after cooking. You shouldn’t be surprised to find such a dish in…
Pumpkin Risotto with Gorgonzola Sauce
Today I am back with a typical Italian recipe. This is a dish that well represents Lombardy, the region where I was born. Milan is very famous for its risotto and pumpkin is often used in our cooking. Gorgonzola, my favourite cheese ever, is a blue cheese originally from the town of Gorgonzola, very close…
Mozzarella and Sun dried Tomato Pork Sausage
If you follow Manu’s Menu, you must remember that a few weeks ago, I reviewed the Toollio, an amazing multi-function kitchen appliance. Since then, I have been using the Toollio regularly and sharing some recipes that show how versatile this machine is and today, I will be posting the last recipe of this little series. Among the…
Meatballs in Tomato and Pecorino Romano Sauce
A few days ago, I reviewed an amazing kitchen appliance: the Toollio, a unique multi-function food processor that grinds and tenderises meat, grates cheese and bread, slices and chops vegetables and mozzarella, makes tomato purée… A true gem. As I promised, I am going to publish a few recipes that can give you a better idea…
Crespelle Cake with Broccoli
A few months ago, I shared with you the recipe for another Crespelle “cake” made with asparagus and I liked it so much that I decided to make it again using other vegetables. This time, it’s broccoli. I adore broccoli, it is one of my favourite vegetables. I have adapted a classic pairing of Italian cuisine…
Carciofi alla Trapanese #SundaySupper
This week the Sunday Supper team is sharing recipes for lighter foods to balance out the indulgences that go along with all the feasting, parties and celebrations of the upcoming holiday season. And what better than artichokes to eat lighter, healthier but still delicious food? Did you know that the total antioxidant capacity of artichokes is one…
Pan fried Pork Loin Cutlets
Today’s recipe is one of my favourite mid week dinner ideas. My mum would often make pan fried pork cutlets and she would always serve them with hot fries. It is a hearty dish that I have always enjoyed. It’s easy and quick to make and it tastes delicious thanks to the abundance of herbs…
Sarde Allinguate
I know I have said this before, but sardines are my favourite fish ever. They are cheap and so good for you and I highly recommend you try them. I just wish I could find them more often here in Sydney! Today I will share with you a traditonal Sicilian recipe, very common in the…
Casoncelli alla Bergamasca
Today’s post is all about tradition. I often say that talking about Italian cuisine is not very accurate… every region (and sometimes even city!) has its own cuisine, so it would be more correct to say Italian cuisines. Every area of Italy has its own traditional stuffed pasta which can differ in shape, size and/or…
Guinness Braised Lamb Shanks
It’s been quite cold lately here in Sydney and we have had our share of rainy days too. It truly feels like winter. I am not complaining, it usually doesn’t last long and I know I will miss this weather once the heat and bush fires start again. I am trying to make the most…
