Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Gluten-free Vanilla Cake

Gluten-free Vanilla Cake

Today, I will share with you the recipe for a delicious Gluten-free Vanilla Cake, perfect to have at breakfast or tea time.

Fig Vanilla Jam

Fig Vanilla Jam

Today I will share with you the recipe for a deliciously sweet Fig Vanilla Jam. Having grown up in Italy, I have been really spoilt when it comes to sweet ripe seasonal fruits.

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

Christmas Tree Cupcakes

These Christmas Tree Cupcakes are so much fun to make! I baked chocolate cupcakes to use as the base of the tree and then topped them with green vanilla buttercream to make the tree. To decorate the “tree” you can use anything you like. I used mini chocolate chips of different colours, silver pearls and…

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Tahitian Mango Jam

Tahitian Mango Jam

During our recent stay in the islands of Tahiti, we have had plenty of delicious locally made jam. The main flavours were pineapple (always a favourite of mine), guava, some of kind of citrus like lime or grapefruit, and mango. Well, we even had an amazing coconut jam that I will have to try and…

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Pineapple Vanilla Jam

Pineapple Vanilla Jam

The first time I had this delicious Pineapple Vanilla Jam I was in Tahiti. The islands abound in both pineapples and vanilla, so to them is a normal combination. However, to my Italian taste buds it wasn’t and I was literally blown away but how good these two flavours were together! This jam has become…

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Slice of moist cake dusted with icing sugar served on a white plate with a fork.

5 Minute Vanilla Cake

A soft slice of 5 Minute Vanilla Cake is always a good idea, especially when it comes together this quickly, with a light, fluffy texture and a simple vanilla flavour.

Close-up of a blue Gelato al Puffo scoop in a wafer cone.

Gelato al Puffo

Bring some colour to your summer desserts with this bright Gelato al Puffo. Creamy, cool, and wonderfully smooth, it adds a fun twist to sunny-day snacking or simple weekend sweets.

Homemade almond shortbread cookies stacked on a rustic hessian cloth.

Almond Shortbread Cookies

Buttery Almond Shortbread Cookies made with almond meal bake up crisp around the edges with a delicate crumb, making them a wonderful treat to enjoy with tea or coffee.

Chocolate cookie ice cream sandwiches stacked with vanilla filling on parchment paper.

Homemade Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Soft chocolate cookies wrapped around creamy vanilla filling make this Homemade Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich an easy treat to keep in the freezer.

Fiordilatte Gelato

Fiordilatte Gelato #SundaySupper

Welcome to this week’s #SundaySupper event! This Sunday the #SundaySupper team has organised an Italian Fest! Being Italian, when the Italian theme was announced, I knew I had to host it. This is the first #SundaySupper event I host and I am really excited, especially since it will be showcasing some amazing Italian food! I am very excited about today’s recipe…

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Vanilla Cupcakes with Jasmine Buttercream

Vanilla Cupcakes with Jasmine Buttercream

I must admit that this is one of those recipes that came about by chance.  Actually, it was created out of… leftovers.  I once made my Lavender and Jasmine Macarons and did not use all the Jasmine buttercream.  I had no intention of throwing it out and, even though the temptation was quite strong, I resisted…

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Paw Print Cupcakes decorated with chocolate icing and marshmallow paw shapes arranged on a serving plate.

Paw Print Cupcakes

Party desserts feel more fun with Paw Print Cupcakes, mixing soft vanilla sponge, chocolatey icing, and cute paw prints kids love.

Vanilla Poached Tamarillos

Vanilla Poached Tamarillos #SundaySupper

This week, the #SundaySupper bloggers are sharing recipes with ingredients that are hunted or foraged. This can include wild game or vegetarian options or also special ingredients that you have to source online or hunt down at specialty markets.  I love the theme!  As I regularly cook with ethnic ingredients (where for ethnic, I mean…

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Single broken glass cupcake with sugar shard and strawberry syrup blood on green plate.

Broken Glass Cupcakes

These bloodyBroken Glass Cupcakes make a spooky Halloween centrepiece with shards of sugar glass and sticky “blood.” The soft pumpkin sponge and sweet buttercream taste every bit as wicked as they look.

Vanilla and Yogurt Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

Vanilla and Yogurt Cheesecake with Raspberry Sauce

Don’t you just love a good cheesecake?  I certainly do!  I particularly like today’s recipe as it is a 2 layered cheesecake.  The bottom layer is a normal baked vanilla cheesecake, while the top layer also contains Greek Yogurt… this makes the cake a tad lighter to the palate and a bit fluffier on the…

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Fish Fillet with Tahitian Vanilla Sauce served with mixed vegetables and a small glass of sauce.

Fish Fillet with Tahitian Vanilla Sauce

Soft fish and warm vanilla bring easy island comfort to Fish Fillet with Tahitian Vanilla Sauce and keep the dish simple enough for weeknight cooking.

Peach Melba served in a glass bowl with vanilla ice cream, raspberry sauce, and toasted almonds.

Peach Melba

Smooth Peach Melba with bright raspberry scent and cool peaches brings freshness after dinner, combining sweetness and lightness in every spoonful. Happy Australia Day to all my fellow Aussies! In honour of our national holiday, I thought I’d share something sweet and light, Peach Melba. It’s late summer here, and school is about to start…

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Homemade coffee liqueur served in small glasses with a swing-top bottle, coffee beans, and vanilla on a soft cloth background.

Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur

Rich espresso and vanilla flavour give this Coffee and Vanilla Liqueur a deep taste and slightly syrupy texture. Pour it over ice, into cocktails, or over gelato for an easy treat.

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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Soft Vanilla and Pink Salt Caramels

SOFT VANILLA & PINK SALT CARAMELS

I made these caramels to give away as presents for Christmas this year.  I had wanted to try and make my own caramels for ages, but all the recipes I came across had corn syrup as one of the ingredients and I wasn’t very keen on it… especially since I have never seen it around…

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A tray of Peppa Pig cupcakes decorated with green and blue icing and fondant figures of Peppa, ducks, and clouds.

Peppa Pig Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes

Few things brighten a birthday like Peppa Pig Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes. The recipe is easy, the flavours are comforting, and the decorations always make little faces light up.

GEORGIA’S 3RD BIRTHDAY

On the 1st my youngest daughter turned 3 and I have been quite busy organising her birthday party.  This was also the first time that her nonni were physically present for her birthday, so it was even more exciting for everyone!  Yes!  My parents are visiting us from Italy and we are having a great…

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Chestnut Rum Mousse

CHESTNUT RUM MOUSSE

Yesterday I showed you how easy it is to make your own Chestnut and Vanilla Cream… now that you have such a yummy treat in your fridge, how about making something else with it, if you haven’t finished it off the spoon yet, that is! Desserts in a glass are my kind of treat and…

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Homemade Crème de Marrons Vanillée, a smooth chestnut and vanilla cream in a glass jar wrapped with a pink ribbon.

Creme de Marron (Chestnut and Vanilla Cream)

A jar of Creme de Marron makes winter mornings sweeter. Sweet chestnuts and vanilla create a simple cream that adds warmth to breakfast or dessert on cold days.

Crème brûlée with a crisp caramelised sugar topping served in a terracotta ramekin.

Crème Brûlée

The caramel crack on top of this Crème Brûlée is unbelievably satisfying. Smooth and creamy vanilla custard makes every spoonful rich and indulgent.

MINI CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES

I love cheesecake… who doesn’t?  I have made my share of no-bake cheesecakes, but to tell you the truth, I still have to make a baked cheesecake at home.  Don’t ask me why, but baking a cheesecake always intimidated me.  After making these little gems though, I think I am going to have to bake myself…

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Chocolate and Vanilla Shark Mini Cupcakes

CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA SHARK MINI CUPCAKES

I made these mini cupcakes for Victoria’s 5th birthday party.  The theme was The Little Mermaid and the sea, so I decided to make the icing blue, like the sea.  I decorated them with some shark fins made out of chocolate.  As I had already made many sweets for the party, I kept the flavours of…

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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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