Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Full view of the Tinkerbell fondant cake with green base and character decorations.

Tinkerbell Cake

Sprinkle some fairy magic on your next party table. This Tinkerbell Cake has soft layers, cute details, and all the charm kids love.

VICTORIA’S 6TH BIRTHDAY

On the 16th my eldest daughter turned 6!!!  I cannot believe how fast time flies.  Before I had kids, a year seemed to last forever… now it’s finished before I even get used to saying “Victoria is 5”!!!   She is turning into a precious little girl and she can look so “grown up” at times……

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Purple Gnocchi with Parmigiano Reggiano Fondue, Crunchy Speck and Toasted Hazelnuts

PURPLE GNOCCHI ON A PARMIGIANO REGGIANO FONDUE WITH TOASTED HAZELNUTS AND CRUNCHY SPECK

I love experimenting with pasta and gnocchi. I love the fact that you can make them of many shapes, flavours and colours. I saw these amazing purple Congo potatoes at the market and I could not resist buying them. They are not imported from Congo as they name might suggest, but they are grown in…

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Ricotta Crostata

RICOTTA CROSTATA

After showing you how easy it is to make “ricotta” at home, I thought I would also show you an additional way to cook with it.  I love ricotta, both in sweet and savoury dishes.  Sicilians are famous for their ricotta desserts and I must admit I love sweet ricotta.  It is lighter (also in…

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Watermelon Gelato

WATERMELON GELATO

Today, for my Regional Italian dish series, I am going to take you all back to Sicily with the perfect summer recipe.  I know, I know… it’s winter down here and it’s also been quite cold lately, but my family and friends are enjoying summer in Europe, so I thought of publishing this today.  I…

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FIAMME DI CIOCCOLATO – CHOCOLATE FLAMES

I am very happy about the recipe I will be sharing with you today.  I have many food related memories of my childhood and one of the sweetest memories is of Sunday mornings.  My parents and I would often have friends over or go over to some friends’ house for Sunday lunch.  My mum would…

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Caramel Espresso Bars

CARAMEL ESPRESSO BARS

It is time again for the “Secret recipe club” reveal!  I am sure you all know what the club is about, but for the few of you who still don’t know about it, here goes a brief explanation.  It is a great concept… each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a…

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MANGO, COCONUT AND JASMINE VERRINES

Sometimes I see the picture of a dish and I just can’t get it off my mind until I make it!  Has it ever happened to you?  I guess that it the reason why I try and limit my use of Pinterest or I would probably be spending all day long in the kitchen!!  Not…

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Parmigiano Reggiano Panna Cotta served in small cups with balsamic glaze and crisp cheese hearts.

Savoury Parmigiano Reggiano Panna Cotta

A spoonful of Parmigiano Reggiano Panna Cotta is silky and rich. Finished with balsamic glaze and crisp cheese hearts, it’s smooth, savoury, and completely spoonable.

WALNUT AND ORANGE GELATO WITH CHOCOLATE SYRUP

I love ice cream and not only in summer!  Today’s recipe in fact, is perfect for autumn/winter as it is made with walnuts and candied orange zest   These flavours always make me think of autumn, cold days and cozy nights.  The home-made chocolate syrup adds a touch of decadence to the whole dessert which is always…

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Pumpkin Risotto

PUMPKIN RISOTTO

Today’s recipe is from Lombardia, the region of Italy I grew up in and it is a very simple risotto made with pumpkin cream.  As you know, it is autumn down here in the southern hemisphere… so what’s better than some pumpkin risotto to warm us up?  Don’t you just love that orange colour?  I…

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COCA COLA CHICKEN WINGS

It is time again for the “Secret recipe club” reveal! I am sure you all know what the club is about, but for the few of you who still don’t know about it, here goes a brief explanation.  Each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a recipe from and in turn…

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Sliced chicken ballotine filled with minced meat and pistachios served with roasted apples on a white plate.

Chicken Ballotine

A good roast doesn’t need to be complicated. This Chicken Ballotine is filled with sausage, prosciutto, and pistachios, bringing warmth and comfort to any meal.

Strawberry and Lemon Cheesecake in a glass

STRAWBERRY AND LEMON CHEESECAKE IN A GLASS

Who doesn’t love cheesecakes??  I do!  I must say that I discovered them quite late in my teenage years as they are not an Italian “thing” (though now they are quite popular in Italy too).  I was in New York for 3 weeks as an exchange student when I was 17 and one of the (many) things…

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Italian rabbit stew served with mashed potatoes on a white plate with a rich tomato sauce.

Italian Rabbit Stew (Aunt Franca’s Rabbit Recipe)

Swap your usual stew for something more traditional, Italian Rabbit Stew cooks rabbit with simple ingredients into a rich, savoury meal.

LAVENDER AND JASMINE MACARONS

I have a few macarons recipes on the blog and I like them all, but to tell you the truth, today’s flavour combination is my new all time favourite.  Yes, I like these even more than my Salted Caramel Macarons and my Mango and Passion fruit Macarons!  I made these a little while ago to take…

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Sweet Chilli and Orange Chicken Wings

SWEET CHILLI AND ORANGE CHICKEN WINGS

It is time again for the “Secret recipe club” reveal! I am sure you all know what the club is about, but for the few of you who still don’t know about it, here goes a brief explanation.  Each month you are assigned a participating food blogger to make a recipe from and in turn…

Read More »

Two glasses of Chocolate Viennois with Chantilly and chocolate shards on top, set on a white plate.

Chocolate Viennois (Crème Viennoise Chocolat)

Nothing satisfies a chocoholic faster than Chocolate Viennois, a decadent blend of chocolate cream and Chantilly. It’s a chocolate obsession in a cup that’s thick, velvety, cool, and dangerously addictive.

Mimosa Cocktail

Fresh, fruity, and easy to sip, this Mimosa Cocktail brings a zesty brightness with a light, fizzy finish to any gathering.

Close-up of Dulce de Leche macarons with gold dust in a glass bowl tied with a green ribbon.

Dulce de Leche Macarons

Light, chewy, and filled with soft caramel, Dulce de Leche Macarons are a joy to bake and even better to share with someone who loves sweet things.

CHOCOLATE, ESPRESSO AND CHILLI MOUSSE

Have you already decided what to serve to your loved one tomorrow?  If you haven’t, or are still undecided, look no further.  I think I may have the answer for that, at least as far as dessert goes.  I have always wanted to try and make something with chocolate and chilli… I know, it sounds…

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Golden Meat-Filled Apulian Panzerotti served on a white platter with cherry tomatoes.

Meat-Filled Apulian Panzerotti

Soft fried dough and a rich filling make Meat-Filled Apulian Panzerotti traditional Italian turnovers filled with savoury beef, pork, Pecorino Romano, and mozzarella.

GORGONZOLA FILLED POTATO GNOCCHI WITH BUTTER AND SAGE

When I saw these gnocchi, I could not resist.  If you follow this site, I am sure you know that yours truly is a gorgonzola-holic (?!) and just the thought of biting into soft pillowy potato gnocchi to find a gorgonzola treasure made my mouth water.  I must admit I had never even contemplated filling gnocchi, but…

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LAMB TAJINE WITH QUINCES

When I feel like having some comfort food, I often make stews.  Just the aroma of a stew cooking on the stove (or in the oven) has a somewhat relaxing and almost therapeutic effect.  When I make a stew on a rainy day, even the bad weather seems more bearable and from annoying, it becomes captivating and…

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TRUFFLE HONEY & VANILLA CRÈME BRÛLÉE

A little while ago, my husband and I went out to have dinner at a delightful restaurant called Chophouse.  We ate really well and I was particularly impressed by their Wagyu Tartare with truf­fle aioli, pear, pine nuts & white soy dressing and by their Wagyu Striploin with harissa… divine!  Also, I was pleasantly surprised…

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Ricotta, Pear and Hazelnut Verrines

RICOTTA, PEAR AND HAZELNUT VERRINES

I came across this recipe while looking for a new way to finish off some pears I had left over on my kitchen counter.  I love all kinds of mousses and little servings… they are not completely “guilt-free”, but they surely are better than a huge slice of cake (not that there’s anything wrong with…

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WHITE CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA SHOOTERS WITH RASPBERRY COULIS

If you are not new on this site, you will know that I love all desserts that you can eat with a spoon: mousses, creams, trifles… and panna cotta!  I also like individual servings and I have been making these panna cotta shooters for a while now.  I often take them to friends’ houses for…

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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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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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