Manu’s Menu

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Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

I love pigs in a blanket… they would always be served for parties when I was growing up, so I guess they remind me of happy times. I also love how easy they are to make. So this Holiday Season, I thought of serving them in a special way and I made the most delicious…

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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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Ham and Stracchino Pinwheels

Ham and Stracchino Pinwheels

I recently made these Ham and Stracchino Pinwheels and it was love at first bite! I think these will make it to our dinner table during the Holiday Season. They make a great addition to any buffet! I love anything made with puff pastry, but these pinwheels are special. The stracchino cheese is what sets…

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Nutella Roses

Nutella Roses

I love making puff pastry treats, both savoury and sweet. I always have some puff pastry in the freezer and I like the fact that working with it is easy and quick. I have already showed you how to make Apple Roses using puff pastry, and today I am going to show you how to…

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Apple Orange Hand Pies

Apple Orange Hand Pies

I know I have already said this, but apple desserts are among my favourites. I must admit that I am not a huge fan of raw apples (even though they are really good for you!), but cooked apples are a totally different matter. I love the taste, the consistency… everything! And these Apple Orange Hand…

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Apple Roses

Apple Roses

I love apple desserts, don’t you? When I was a child, my favourite cake was this Apple Tart and it is still one of my favourites. Today’s recipe is quite common in Italy and there are a few variations to it.  Some people cook the apples, others use them raw, some people sprinkle cinnamon on…

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Nutella Palmiers

Nutella Palmiers

I made these Nutella Palmiers for my daughter’s 8th birthday party. As you know, I always have puff pastry for birthday parties and being Italian, Nutella cannot be skipped either! So, I decided to combine the 2 traditions and I made these deliciously crunchy treats. I added some toasted hazelnuts to them, to enhance both…

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Pesto Pinwheels

Pesto Pinwheels

For parties, I always serve something made with puff pastry. It is somewhat due to my Italian heritage… I can’t remember a birthday party without puff pastry treats. We have them with anchovies, sausages, or all kinds of vegetables and even pizza ones. You name it. I love to make both sweet and savoury treats….

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Finished pain au chocolat with flaky layers and dark chocolate filling on a serving plate.

Pain au Chocolat (Homemade Chocolate Croissants)

Fresh Pain Au Chocolat straight from the oven pairs perfectly with coffee and brings crisp buttery layers and soft chocolate. Freezer-friendly and ideal for make-ahead baking.

Mushroom Vol au Vents served on a white plate with parsley garnish.

Mushroom Vol au Vents

Bake Mushroom Vol au Vents for a classic party appetiser with creamy porcini filling inside buttery puff pastry shells, perfect for buffets or elegant dinners.

Smoked Salmon Mille-Feuille

Smoked Salmon Mille-Feuille

A little while ago I have shown you how to make puff pastry at home and how to make a beautiful Mille-feuille with it.  So, you should already have a recipe for the classic vanilla custard flavoured Mille-feuille.  Today I want to share with you a savoury recipe.  You could say it is my take on a…

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Chicken and Sun-dried Tomato Rolls

Chicken and Sun dried Tomato Rolls #FridgeShelfies

Last week I blogged about PHILADELPHIA #FridgeShelfies, a campaign that wants to inspire Aussies to get more creative in the kitchen, with new and exciting recipes developed using the ingredients already in their fridges.  I immediately loved the concept because, let’s face it, that’s what we have to do everyday.  We open the fridge and…

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Golden puff pastry cannoncini served with hot tea and a blue ceramic coffee pot.

Cannoncini alla Crema (Puff Pastry Filled with Crème Pâtissière)

Crisp, flaky pastry wrapped around silky crème pâtissière gives Cannoncini alla Crema their classic Italian bakery texture, with caramelised edges and creamy filling.

Spinach and Ricotta Pie

Spinach and Ricotta Pie

Today’s recipe is perfect for potlucks and picnics.  It is one of my favourite savoury pies and I make it often.  What I love the most about quiches and savoury pies is that you can prepare them in advance and eat them at room temperature, so you don’t have to spend too much time in…

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Finished mille-feuille slice on a white plate with a fork.

Mille-Feuille

Light pastry, smooth cream, and a sweet finish make this Mille-Feuille a dessert you’ll want to save for any gathering. Bake it today and serve it with fresh fruit or coffee.

Wrapped puff pastry portions stacked on a wooden board beside butter and a rolling pin.

Homemade Puff Pastry

Homemade Puff Pastry forms delicate layers of butter and dough, resulting in crisp, flaky pastries that freeze well and can be used in countless recipes.

Herb filled Chicken Rolls with Puff Pastry

Herb filled Chicken Rolls with Puff Pastry

Today’s post is about a very elegant recipe.  It is great for a special occasion (I made this during the Christmas holidays) or a romantic dinner… It requires a little extra work, but it is much easier than what it seems.  These Herb filled Chicken Rolls with Puff Pastry are delicious!  I love the filling as…

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Freshly baked pain aux raisins served on a plate with milk and jam.

Pain Aux Raisins

Flaky layers wrapped around creamy vanilla filling and plump raisins make Pain Aux Raisins a pastry you remember. It brings the scent, comfort, and sweetness of a real bakery tray fresh from the oven.

Sun Dried Tomato Palmiers

SUN DRIED TOMATO PALMIERS

Palmiers, also known as Elephant Ears, are usually sweet pastries, but I love little savoury treats for parties… they are the ones I usually turn to, since I don’t have much of a sweet tooth.  These were no exception: yummy and very easy to make.  And they also looked quite pretty, which doesn’t hurt, especially…

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CARAMELISED RED ONION AND TALEGGIO PASTRIES

As you know, cheese is probably my favourite food.  I like all kinds of cheeses and I often eat them plain, with bread or crackers for lunch… but I also love to cook with them and make all sorts of savoury and sweet dishes.  Today’s recipe is utterly delicious: I find it simply irresistible!  I…

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Freshly baked croissants with golden crust and flaky layers.

Croissants

Flaky, buttery Homemade Croissants fresh from your own oven bring crisp edges and soft layers to the table. Roll, fold, bake, and enjoy them warm.

Zucchini and Blue Cheese Savoury Pastries

ZUCCHINI AND BLUE CHEESE SAVOURY PASTRIES

As I wrote in my previous post about the Pizza flavoured Savoury Pastries, Italian birthday parties always have some sort of savoury pastries in the menu.  After taking care of the kids with Pizza, I though I should make something more suited for the adults (even though, let me tell you that many of the…

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Pizza flavoured Savoury Pastries

PIZZA FLAVOURED SAVOURY PASTRIES

Italian birthday parties always have some sort of savoury pastries in the menu.  I remember my mum buying a huge tray filled with all sorts of what we call “rustici” (small puff pastry parcels filled with different goodies) at our local bakery.  I have always had more of a savoury tooth rather than a sweet…

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PORCINI, SPECK AND POTATO SAVOURY PIE

Today’s recipe is great in every season.  The ingredients are perfect for the cooler months, but the fact that you can eat it cold (or at room temperature), makes it perfect for the warmer months too.  I actually love to take this to picnics and barbecues when the season is right, but it is also…

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Mini meat pies served warm with ketchup on the side.

Mini Meat Pies (Aussie Mini Beef Pies)

Crisp pastry on the outside and a rich, savoury minced beef filling inside make these Mini Meat Pies a must-try. Great for snacks, lunchboxes, or relaxed weekend baking.

Curried Carrot and Coconut Soup

CURRIED CARROT AND COCONUT SOUP

Today I want to share with you the recipe for a delicious, easy yet elegant soup.  The other day I found myself with some left-over coconut cream.  My first thought was: I am going to make coconut ice cream with it.  Then I thought again… and even though I love coconut ice cream, I felt…

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Sausage Rolls

SAUSAGE ROLLS

Today we celebrate Australia Day!  You all know I was born and brought up in Italy… but I also became an Australian citizen 2 years ago.  I love this country and I am very happy to be part of such a wonderful and diverse community.  People often ask me how I cope so far from…

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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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