Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Close-up of sweet caramelised peanuts in a glass bowl with yellow flowers in the background.

Garrapiñada de Mani

Keep a jar of Garrapiñada de Mani on hand for quick snacking. The caramelised coating gives every peanut a crisp bite, light sweetness, and satisfying crunch that’s hard to resist.

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.

Low Fodmap Samosas

Low Fodmap Samosas

I am so happy to be able to share with you the recipe for these Low Fodmap Samosas.

Low Fodmap Mini Focaccia

Low Fodmap Mini Focaccia

Since going Low Fodmap, I have really missed baking bread. So, I am extremely pleased to share with you this amazing recipe for Low Fodmap Mini Focaccia today!

Almond pralines spilling from a paper cone onto the table.

Almond Pralines

Crisp Almond Pralines coated in cocoa and sugar give a satisfying crunch and warm nutty scent, making them ideal for holiday jars, after-dinner treats, or weekday cravings.

Two triangle onigiri wrapped with nori on a plate.

Tuna Mayo Onigiri (Triangle Rice Balls)

Filled with creamy tuna and wrapped in crisp nori, these Tuna Mayo Onigiri (Triangle Rice Balls) are perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, and quick snacks. Portable, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to prepare. Onigiri has become one of my favourite things to make at home. After visiting Japan a few times with my family, I’ve grown even…

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Vin Brule

Vin Brule

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought I should share a quintessential Italian Christmas recipe: Vin Brule – aka Italian mulled wine. When living in Italy, Christmas used to be my favourite time of the year. I loved the cold, snowy winters and dark evenings. It all contributed to the cozy Christmas atmosphere that…

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Rava Ladoo

Rava Ladoo

Happy Diwali! Sunday will mark the beginning of Diwali (दिवाली), the “festival of lights”, a 5-day Indian festival that celebrates the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Light is the symbol of the celebrations and many clay lamps filled with oil are lit during the 5 days of the festival. As part…

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Strawberry Granita

Strawberry Granita

The weather here is getting warmer and strawberries are in season, sweet and full of flavour!  So I didn’t think twice and took my ice cream machine out to make this easy and delicious Strawberry Granita! Italians are famous for their frozen treats and we often have granita for breakfast. Make sure to serve this strawberry…

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Monica Sandwich

Monica Sandwich

Today’s recipe makes me a little emotional, as it brings back lots of memories from my teen age years. We used to have a cafe in our high school from where we could purchase food and drinks and one of my favourite sandwiches was called “Monica”… I think it was named after the girl who…

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Close-up of cut wedge revealing airy interior and lightly crisp edges.

Schiacciata

Fresh from the oven, Schiacciata is golden and airy, brushed generously with olive oil, a Tuscan flatbread pressed thin into tins and baked until lightly crisp on top.

Bhel Puri served in a paper cone with sev, coriander and papdi.

Bhel Puri

Crisp puffed rice, golden sev, and soft potato cubes come together in Bhel Puri, coated in sticky tamarind and fresh green chutney for a sweet and spicy punch.

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.

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.

Aloo Tikki Chaat

Aloo Tikki Chaat

I am really happy to share today’s recipe on the blog as it is one of my all time favourite Indian dishes: Aloo Tikki Chaat. But what is it exactly? Chaat is a term that describes savory snacks, typically served on the road from stalls or food carts… street food basically. And you know how…

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Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki

Today’s recipe is a delicious Indian appetiser. Well, it’s more like a snack really, but it is also served as an appetiser at restaurants. I personally love Aloo Tikki and I often make them at home. You could say that they are the Indian version of potato croquettes and they are packed with flavour thanks…

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Traditional Bosnian burek spiral baked until golden and sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Bosnian Burek

Flaky, savoury, and wonderfully simple, Bosnian Burek is a pastry filled with seasoned meat and baked until golden. It’s warm, satisfying, and perfect for family meals.

Chole masala served in a metal bowl with bhatura and fresh coriander garnish.

Chole Masala

Rich Chole Masala with soft chickpeas in a thick spiced gravy fills the kitchen with warmth and makes a satisfying meal when served with bhatura or rice.

Bhatura

Bhatura

Today I want to share with you the recipe for a delicious North Indian bread called Bhatura. I had it for the first time in an Indian eatery here in Sydney, famous for its street food and I simply fell in love with it. It is a fluffy deep-fried leavened bread and it’s usually served…

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Close-up of sliced Onion Schiacciata showing soft crumb and caramelised onions.

Onion Schiacciata

Hosting a lunch or dinner? This Onion Schiacciata is always well-loved. It has a homemade look, tastes incredible, and goes perfectly with almost any main dish.

Onion Pakoras

Onion Pakoras

Vimala was our host for the November Daring Cooks challenge and she invited us to try our hands at some Indian snacks and treats. What amazing timing… as Indians have just celebrated Diwali – the festival of lights. I am very happy to share with all of you the recipe for one of my favourite Indian…

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Bowl of deep-fried red chicken garnished with onion rings, green chillies and curry leaves.

Chicken 65

Crisp marinated chicken fried until golden and coated in chilli sauce creates this vibrant Chicken 65, a favourite Indian appetiser.

Tonkatsu Sandwich

Tonkatsu Sandwich

I first had Tonkatsu Sandwiches when we bought them in Shin-Osaka on our way to Hiroshima/Miyajima and it was love at first bite. The bread was so soft and the meat was crunchy, yet tender and juicy: it was perfection in a sandwich. I also really liked the sauce in it, but my daughters were…

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Chicken Karaage

Chicken Karaage

Chicken Karaage is a classic Japanese fried chicken dish. It’s so popular in Japan that you can find it in all izakaya, depachika, supermarkets and street food stalls. In fact, we had quite a bit of Karaage during our Japanese holiday. One of my most vivid memories of our trip is eating Karaage under the…

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Tsukune chicken skewers brushed with glossy yakitori sauce after grilling.

Tsukune (Japanese Chicken Meatball Skewers)

Juicy Japanese chicken meatball skewers with sticky yakitori glaze make smoky savoury Tsukune perfect for izakaya-style dinners or barbecues.

Moroccan mint tea served in glasses with flatbread, olives, and cheese on a colourful tray.

Moroccan Mint Tea

Brew Moroccan Mint Tea for a soothing blend of sweetness and minty warmth, a comforting drink to enjoy any time of day.

Close-up of Lebanese Za’atar Manouche showing golden crust and olive-oil-zaatar topping.

Za’atar Manouche (Lebanese Flatbread)

Soft, chewy Za’atar Manouche baked to golden perfection and brushed with olive oil for rich, herby flavour. Serve warm and enjoy straight from the oven.

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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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