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Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Cotechino with mash potatoes

COTECHINO WITH ITALIAN MASH POTATOES

As the last post of the year, I had to share with you a cotechino recipe.  That’s because Italians always have at least one slice of cotechino on New Year’s Eve!  It’s a tradition that I love to keep alive even down under.  I often make my own cotechino (you can find my tutorial and…

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Homemade Cotechino resting on a wooden board with whole spices.

Homemade Cotechino

Bringing the festive mood straight to the table with this Homemade Cotechino. Slow-simmered, deeply comforting, and perfect for relaxed family meals all season long.

Saffron Potato Gnocchi with Sausage and Porcini

SAFFRON GNOCCHI WITH SAUSAGE AND PORCINI

Todd, who is The Daring Kitchen’s AWESOME webmaster and an amazing cook, is our September Daring Cooks’ host! Todd challenged us to make light and fluffy potato Gnocchi and encouraged us to flavor the lil pillows of goodness and go wild with a sauce to top them with! YESSSSS!  I love gnocchi of all sorts,…

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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.

Homemade Sicilian Pork Sausage with Fennel coiled on a white plate.

Homemade Sicilian Pork Sausage with Fennel

Fire up the grill for Homemade Sicilian Pork Sausage with Fennel. Juicy, flavourful, and easy to cook, it’s made for outdoor meals and relaxed gatherings.

Albondigas en Salsa de Almendras

ALBÓNDIGAS EN SALSA DE ALMENDRAS

The June Daring Cooks’ challenge sure kept us rolling – meatballs, that is! Shelley from C Mom Cook and Ruth from The Crafts of Mommyhood challenged us to try meatballs from around the world and to create our own meatball meal celebrating a culture or cuisine of our own choice. Wow! What a great theme!…

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Pan-fried Kothey Momos served on a plate with tomato chutney and chopsticks.

Kothey Momo (Pan-Fried Dumplings)

Ready to upgrade your dinner? Kothey Momo brings together crisp bottoms, soft dough, and juicy filling in one perfect bite that’s simple to prepare and always worth the effort. I first tried Kothey Momo at a Nepalese restaurant and loved them from the first bite. My version uses pork and ginger to give the filling…

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Honey and Ginger Pork Stir Fry served over steamed rice with broccolini and capsicum.

Honey and Ginger Pork Stir Fry

Sweet honey, fresh ginger, and tender pork come together in this Honey and Ginger Pork Stir Fry with a glossy, flavour-packed sauce.

Raw Salame Cotto tied with butcher’s twine on a wooden board.

Salame Cotto

Tender, flavourful, and delicately seasoned, Salame Cotto fits beautifully on grazing boards, in sandwiches, or simply enjoyed as slices on the board.

SAUSAGE AND FENNEL RISOTTO

I don’t think I have said this before, but when I was expecting my eldest daughter, I used to have very strong savoury cravings and risotto was always on the top of my list!  The great thing about risotto is that it is like a white canvas that you can paint with any flavour you…

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Pork Stir Fry with Garlic, Onions and Chilli

ADORA’S PORK WITH GARLIC, ONIONS AND CHILLI

I love this recipe!  I have discovered this beauty on Adora’s Box a little over a year ago (thank you Adora!) and the whole family got hooked.  Needless to say, I have made it many times already as it is the perfect midweek dinner: quick, but delicious!  I have slightly modified Adora’s recipe as I…

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PINEAPPLE & COCONUT GLAZED PORK SPARE RIBS

Today’s post is a “fight-against-waste” recipe!  I had a nice rack of pork spare ribs in the freezer, so I gathered all the left overs I had in my fridge and built up a recipe from there.  I also did some research on the web and saw I could make something yummy out of these…

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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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Pork Meatballs with Peanut Sauce

PORK MEATBALLS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Thai is one of my favourite Asian cuisines.  Believe it or not, there were no Thai restaurants in Milan, at least up until 6 years ago!  Some Chinese restaurants would serve some Thai dishes, but they obviously did not have a lot of variety.  That’s why, the moment I saw it, I bought this little…

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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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Paella Mixta

PAELLA MIXTA

Our Daring Cooks’ September 2012 hostess was Inma of la Galletika. Inma brought us a taste of Spain and challenged us to make our very own delicious Paella! Paella!!!!!!!!!!  When I saw this month’s challenge I couldn’t have been happier.  When I lived in Europe, Spain was my favourite place to travel to.  I have been there…

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A plate of cavatelli coated in pork ragù and topped with grated cheese and parsley.

Cavatelli al Ragù di Maiale

A hearty simmer brings out a rich, rounded taste in Cavatelli al Ragù di Maiale, turning simple ingredients into a warming pasta bowl.

Golden baked Cannelloni di Carne in a casserole dish.

Cannelloni di Carne

Cheesy, saucy, and full of goodness, this Cannelloni di Carne checks every craving you can think of with tender layers of pasta wrapped around a rich filling.

Balsamic, maple & miso glazed pork spare ribs with Sweet & Sour Cauliflower Quenelles

BALSAMIC, MAPLE & MISO GLAZED PORK SPARE RIBS WITH SWEET & SOUR CAULIFLOWER QUENELLES

Our April 2012 Daring Cooks hosts were David & Karen from Twenty-Fingered Cooking. They presented us with a very daring and unique challenge of forming our own recipes by using a set list of ingredients!   Here they go: List 1: Parsnips, Eggplant (aubergine), Cauliflower List 2: Balsamic Vinegar, Goat Cheese, Chipotle peppers List 3: Maple…

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Braised Pork Belly with Caramel Miso Sauce

BRAISED PORK BELLY WITH CARAMEL MISO SAUCE

The March, 2012 Daring Cooks’ Challenge was hosted by Carol, a/k/a Poisonive – and she challenged us all to learn the art of Braising! Carol focused on Michael Ruhlman’s technique and shared with us some of his expertise from his book “Ruhlman’s Twenty”. Ohhh how I loved this challenge!  I must admit I have loved…

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PORK FILLET WITH A HONEY & MUSTARD GLAZE AND FRIED ARTICHOKES

This is one of those recipes that I have been making for such a long time that I do not even remember where I got it from!  It is very simple, yet delicious.  The pork is tender, juicy, sweet and tangy.  I love to serve it with fried artichokes, the way my mum makes them. …

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Char Siu and Char Siu Bao

CHAR SIU AND CHAR SIU BAO

Our Daring Cooks’ December 2011 hostess is Sara from Belly Rumbles! Sara chose awesome Char Siu Bao as our challenge, where we made the buns, Char Siu, and filling from scratch – delicious!  When I saw this month’s challenge I was really happy as I had already made Char Siu once and we had all liked it, so…

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Sweet and Sour Pork Fritters

SWEET AND SOUR PORK FRITTERS

Sweet and sour pork has always been my favourite Chinese take-out food.  I am sure I have already said this, but I am a big fan of anything sweet and sour.  It must be my Sicilian genes (it is a common cooking style over there) or my love for vinegar… whatever the case I never…

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OLIVE ALL’ASCOLANA

This has always been one of my favourite antipasti, perfect along a good glass of chilled white wine while waiting to serve dinner.  I have never seen it here in Sydney and I was looking for the perfect occasion to try and make it at home.  And what better occasion than my series on Regional…

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MAIALE AL LATTE – PURCIT TAL LAT

This week’s Regional Italian recipe takes us to Friuli – Venezia Giulia, Italy’s most North-Eastern region that borders with Austria and Slovenia.  This region has been a part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire for many years and thus has many cultural and culinary similarities with the other regions and Nations of the area.  It is a region that…

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MOO SHU WITH CHINESE STEAMED PANCAKES AND HOME-MADE HOISIN SAUCE

The October Daring Cooks’ Challenge was hosted by Shelley of C Mom Cook and her sister Ruth of The Crafts of Mommyhood. They challenged us to bring a taste of the East into our home kitchens by making our own Moo Shu, including thin pancakes, stir fry and sauce.  When I saw this I was a bit…

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PORK ROAST WITH APPLES AND PRUNES

This is another one of the dishes I have learnt from my mom.  She used to make it often on Sundays and it is a fantastic and juicy roast.  I guess apples and pork are a classic combination, but it is one that I never get tired of.  The sweetness of the apples goes very…

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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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