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…
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…
MINI MEAT PIES
You cannot get more Aussie than this: meat pie is an iconic Australian dish and it had to be a part of my “Come have some Aussie tucker, mate!” 24×24 event. You can get it almost anywhere and there are also shops that only sell these. They can be made with different fillings (chicken and…
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…
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…
CHEESE TWISTS AND PILLOWS
These are great both for parties and for appetizers. I made these for Georgia’s birthday party but have also served them with a chilled glass of white wine before a more formal dinner. At first I wanted to make only the basic cheese twists, but then decided to spice them up a bit and make…
STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM IN PUFF PASTRY CASES
When I was a child I didn’t like sweets made with puff pastry: they would crumble so easily leaving my hands dirty and sticky. Traditionally, Italians do not use puff pastry for sweets very often… I remember eating lots of it in France though. Well, I have grown up and the times when I did…
SPECK AND FONTINA ROLL
When we were still living in Italy, one day Clint came back from work saying: “I have eaten a fantastic thing at work today. It was a puff pastry roll stuffed with cheese and speck. You should try and make it at home!”. When I heard “speck and cheese”, I was sold, he didn’t really…