Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Traditional Sicilian Mulberry Granita served with whipped cream and mint.

Mulberry Granita

Cool down with Mulberry Granita, a classic Sicilian frozen dessert made with fresh mulberries, lemon juice, and sugar. Light, fruity, and refreshing, it’s the perfect way to enjoy summer.

Lightened-up Eggplant Caponata

Lightened-up Eggplant Caponata

After sharing with you the recipe for traditional Eggplant Caponata, today I am back with an healthier and quicker version of this Sicilian summer classic: Lightened-up Eggplant Caponata.

Meatball Marsala

Meatball Marsala

A few weeks ago, I shared with you the recipe for Veal Marsala. Today instead I am back with a modern twist to the classic recipe. In fact, I will show you how to make Meatball Marsala. The sauce is not exactly the same as the one used for Veal Marsala, so make sure you…

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Pasta with Baby Eggplants

Pasta with Baby Eggplants

Finally I am back with another pasta recipe! This Pasta with Baby Eggplants is a dish my grandmother used to make in Sicily. I have always loved it… it’s very easy to make and whenever I find baby eggplants at the grocer, I always buy them to make this pasta. What sets this sauce aside…

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Finished Pignoccata shaped into a mound with almonds and sprinkles.

Pignoccata (Italian Honey Balls)

Pignoccata, or Italian honey balls, are coated in syrup that makes them sweet and sticky. Almonds bring crunch, sprinkles add colour, and the taste is light enough to enjoy at Carnevale.

Sicilian Sweet and Sour Mackerel

Sicilian Sweet and Sour Mackerel

My parents are here for the holidays and, like every year, I get to eat food from my childhood cooked by my mother. We used to eat a lot of fish when living in Italy and today I will share my mother’s recipe for one of my favourite dishes: Sicilian Sweet and Sour Mackerel –…

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Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini

Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini

Today’s recipe is a very simple appetiser or side dish idea: Sicilian Bell Pepper Involtini. I love capsicums (or bell peppers), I always have. I have already shared a Bell Pepper Involtini recipe before, but this one is different. They are filled with what we call the ”Zangaras’ trademark”, as we use this same stuffing…

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Finished Sicilian eggplant bake in a red baking dish.

Sicilian Eggplant Bake

Layers of roasted eggplant, sweet tomatoes, and gooey cheese make this Sicilian Eggplant Bake taste like home-cooked perfection.

Swordfish Caponata served in a rustic bowl with fresh basil and warm bread on the side.

Swordfish Caponata

A Sicilian classic with a seafood twist, Swordfish Caponata blends tender eggplant and firm fish in a rich sweet and sour tomato glaze.

Baked Nutella Iris dusted with icing sugar and filled with creamy chocolate hazelnut spread.

Baked Nutella Iris (Italian Nutella Buns)

Baked Nutella Iris combines fluffy dough and rich Nutella in one cosy homemade treat with soft centres and lightly golden tops, perfect for breakfast or afternoon coffee.

Marzipan Lambs

Marzipan Lambs

Today’s recipe is a classic Sicilian sweet that is made and eaten to celebrate Easter. In Italian these delicious treats are called Pecorelle di Pasqua or Agnelli Pasquali which literally mean Easter Lambs. As they are made out of marzipan, I thought that Marzipan Lambs would be a better translation… at the end of the…

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Pasticceria Peralta – San Vito Lo Capo

I am very excited about today’s post as I will be taking you all back to the beautiful little town of San Vito Lo Capo, in Sicily.  Today I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite pastry shops: Pasticceria Peralta.  Their sweets, pastries and cakes are the best in town!

Panificio La Sala – San Vito Lo Capo

I am very happy about today’s post as I will be taking you all back to the beautiful seaside town of San Vito Lo Capo, in Sicily.  Today I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite bakeries: Panificio La Sala.  Everyone knows it in town… their bread, cookies and other yummy treats are THAT…

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Azzurra – Macari

I am very happy about today’s post as I will be reviewing one of my all-time favourite restaurants: Azzurra.  It’s not a famous or hatted restaurant, but it serves delicious and hearty food. Besides, it has an added bonus… you can eat on their terrace while enjoying a spectacular view.

San Vito Lo Capo

San Vito Lo Capo Guide – Italy

After a few weeks’ break, I am back with my guides about Italy. Today I will take you all back to Sicily, to explore another area with my San Vito Lo Capo Guide.  San Vito Lo Capo – San Vito for short – is a beautiful little seaside village near Trapani.  It is a place…

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Trapani

Trapani, Erice and Segesta Guide – Italy

After last week’s break, I am back with my guides about Italy. Today I will take you all back to Sicily, to explore another area with my Trapani, Erice and Segesta Guide.  Trapani is my mother’s home town and it is a place I know very well, as I used to spend about 2 months…

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Fresh Troccoli pasta coated in rich pork ragù with tender pieces of slow-simmered pork.

Nonna’s Italian Pork Ragu with Troccoli Pasta

Slow-cooked pork ribs and sausage give Nonna’s Italian Pork Ragu with Troccoli Pasta a rich, hearty flavour that pairs well with fresh homemade Troccoli alla Chitarra.

Bell Pepper Involtini

Bell Pepper Involtini

Today’s recipe is a very simple appetiser idea: Bell Pepper Involtini. I like to serve these involtini as part of a buffet or a barbecue and they are always a hit. They are very easy to make and I love how colourful they look. Besides, they should be served at room temperature, so you don’t…

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Palermo Guide – Italy

I am very excited about the next few posts on Italy, as I will be taking you with me to Sicily. You see, I was born in Milan (in the north of Italy), but my family comes from the beautiful island of Sicily and being away from Italy made me realise how much I owe…

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Sicilian Ricotta Crêpes

Sicilian Ricotta Crêpes

Today I will share with you a recipe that I have recently come up with while trying to finish off a few leftovers. If you follow Manu’s Menu, you already know that quite a few of my recipes come to life in this way. I hate wasting food… so I always try to be creative…

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Polipo accupatello served in a small bowl with tender octopus, potatoes, and a bay leaf garnish.

Polipo Accupatello (Sicilian Octopus and Potato Stew)

Octopus with potatoes and wine makes Polipo Accupatello a rich Sicilian coastal stew with soft texture and deep flavour from slow, covered cooking.

Ham and Cheese Sicilian Brioches

Ham and Cheese Sicilian Brioches

I made these Ham and Cheese Sicilian Brioches for my daughter’s 8th birthday party. When I was a child, I would spend part of my summer holidays at my nonni’s house in Palermo. Not far from where they used to live, there was a place called I Cuochini (aka the little cooks) where my mum…

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Biancomangiare with Citrus Salad

Biancomangiare with Citrus Salad

Today’s recipe is all about Sicily. Last week I shared with you the recipe for Sicilian Almond Milk, a deliciously sweet drink. Besides drinking it plain, it also makes a great base for desserts like Biancomangiare. Biancomangiare (where bianco means “white” and mangiare means “to eat”) is a traditional Italian pudding and in its Sicilian version it…

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Close-up of Sicilian Almond Milk in a glass after straining.

Sicilian Almond Milk

Cool, creamy, and naturally sweet, Sicilian Almond Milk is a classic worth making at home. It’s summer-ready and especially enjoyable straight from the fridge.

Close-up of Olive Schiacciate with green olives and chopped pickled vegetables.

Olive Schiacciate

Cracked green olives dressed with vinegar, garlic, and oil turn Olive Schiacciate into a salty, tangy bowl everyone keeps reaching for before dinner.

Close-up of Mahi Mahi covered with rich caponata sauce.

Mahi Mahi with Caponata Sauce

Light fish, bold vegetables, and a sweet–tangy caponata come together in this Mahi Mahi with Caponata Sauce, bringing a sunny, Mediterranean feel to your table.

Swordfish Impanata

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…

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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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