Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Close-up of chocolate custard with caramelised sugar served in a ramekin.

Chocolate Crema Catalana

With a crisp caramel top and silky chocolate custard, Chocolate Crema Catalana is all about the crack and creamy centre. Crack through the sugar and grab a spoon!

Close-up of baked coca topped with spinach, raisins, and pine nuts.

Coca de Espinacas a la Catalana

Thin, crisp Coca de Espinacas a la Catalana with spinach and raisins, savoury and golden, perfect for brunch, slicing and sharing.

Espinacas a la Catalana

Espinacas a la Catalana

Today I am taking you back to Spain, to Catalonia to be precise. I have realised I don’t have many side dishes on the blog, so this recipe for Espinacas a la Catalana is an attempt to fix the problem. When I was a child I used to dislike spinach. They tasted bitter and just…

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Fresh Homemade Spanish Chorizo sausages arranged on a wooden board.

Homemade Spanish Chorizo

Skip store-bought sausage and make Homemade Spanish Chorizo. Fresh pork seasoned with smoky paprika and garlic delivers an authentic Spanish taste you simply can’t get from a packet.

Sangria

Sangria

As I wrote in my last post about Pa amb Tomaquet, I will be sharing Spanish recipes this week. And what’s more Spanish than Sangria?? I am actually surprised I haven’t shared this recipe yet, as Sangria is one of my most favourite drinks. There are many recipes on the Internet on how to make…

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Pa Amb Tomaquet

Pa Amb Tomaquet

This week Manu’s Menu will feature 3 Spanish recipes! I love Spain and Spanish food is among my all time favourite! It is also very close to Italian, and even more so to Sicilian, food, so I guess it would be very hard for me not to love it! Let’s start with a very simple…

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Mushrooms in Escabeche

Mushrooms in Escabeche

I love Spanish food, just as much as I love Spain. I really like the flavours and its simplicity and it reminds me of summer time, seaside and holidays!  I enjoy making tapas, especially when I have people over or for special occasions. It’s a fun way to serve and taste many different dishes. I…

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Churros y Chocolate

Churros y Chocolate

I think everyone knows what churros are… but what you don’t know is how much I like them!  Whenever I go to Spain, they are my breakfast with a nice cup of hot chocolate… no matter the time of the year, the season and the weather!  That’s how much I like them.  There are a…

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Spoon breaking through the caramelised sugar top of crema catalana.

Crema Catalana

Velvety Crema Catalana with citrus notes and a crisp brûlée top adds a gentle, festive dessert to any Christmas gathering.

Chorizo en Salsa

Chorizo en Salsa

If you follow me on Facebook, you will know that this year we hosted a little New Year’s Eve party at our place.  We had a Spanish theme. And this Chorizo in Salsa was one of the dishes I served!

Crispy Serrano croquettes on a plate with paprika mayo and sliced ham.

Croquetas de Jamón Serrano

Golden Croquetas de Jamón Serrano with béchamel and ham make an easy snack that goes well with vegetables, simple salads, and crusty bread on quiet evenings.

Fried Manchego with Tomato and Orange Blossom Jam

Fried Manchego with Tomato and Orange Blossom Jam

In my early 20’s I visited Spain a few times. Oh Spain, an amazing country, one of my favourite places in the world.  I have been to the North (in the Basque country), the center (Madrid is such a beautiful city), the east (I left a piece of my heart in Barcelona and Catalunya) and…

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Creamy Patatas Alioli served in a bowl with aioli and garlic cloves nearby.

Patatas Alioli

Smooth, garlicky Patatas Alioli make a quick, hearty side for family meals, ideal when you need something tasty that comes together with little effort.

Spoon lifting thick and creamy homemade aioli from a black serving bowl.

Homemade Aioli

Fresh Homemade Aioli with garlic, lemon, and olive oil creates a creamy sauce for dipping fries, spreading onto sandwiches, or serving with grilled seafood. Aioli is one of those simple recipes that can completely change a meal. Creamy, garlicky, and rich with olive oil, it’s a condiment traditionally made in parts of France and Spain…

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Gambas al Ajillo

GAMBAS AL AJILLO #SundaySupper

This is a special post for me.  As you might have guessed from the title, I have finally joined the Sunday Supper Movement!  I had been considering it for a while and decided to take the plunge and go for it over our summer (weird, I know…) holidays!  I am very excited and honoured to…

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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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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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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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqSyzFElbRY
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MsM’S EBOOK – CLICK TO BUY IT NOW!

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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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