Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Carciofi in Pinzimonio

Carciofi in Pinzimonio

I grew up in a family of artichoke lovers.  Every week, in winter, my parents would buy plenty of artichokes at the local market and we would eat them in all sorts of ways.  I have already shared a few recipes and ideas on what to do with this delicious vegetable, and today I am…

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Pasta Contadina

Silky pappardelle coats this Pasta Contadina in a smooth porcini cream sauce, with tender carrots and onions simmered to perfection. It brings creamy countryside goodness with every twirl.

Crespelle Cake with Broccoli

Crespelle Cake with Broccoli

A few months ago, I shared with you the recipe for another Crespelle “cake” made with asparagus and I liked it so much that I decided to make it again using other vegetables.  This time, it’s broccoli.  I adore broccoli, it is one of my favourite vegetables.  I have adapted a classic pairing of Italian cuisine…

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Carciofi alla Trapanese  

Carciofi alla Trapanese #SundaySupper

This week the Sunday Supper team is sharing recipes for lighter foods to balance out the indulgences that go along with all the feasting, parties and celebrations of the upcoming holiday season. And what better than artichokes to eat lighter, healthier but still delicious food?  Did you know that the total antioxidant capacity of artichokes is one…

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Mushroom Vol au Vents served on a white plate with parsley garnish.

Mushroom Vol au Vents

Bake Mushroom Vol au Vents for a classic party appetiser with creamy porcini filling inside buttery puff pastry shells, perfect for buffets or elegant dinners.

Close-up of fried cheese bitterballen with crisp coating.

Cheese Bitterballen

Crunchy on the outside and creamy in the middle, Cheese Bitterballen deliver crisp crumbs and hot, melted cheese in one rich, savoury mouthful.

Roasted Bell Peppers

Roasted Bell Peppers

Bell pepper, or capsicum as they are known here in Australia, are among my favourite vegetables.  I have always liked them, ever since I was little.  In summer, they would make a regular appearance on our table and I was always delighted.  My mother would make them in many different ways and even though my…

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Minestrone

Minestrone

Having grown up in Milan, where winters are quite cold, I have had my fair share of soups.  In fact, my mum would often make soup for dinner.  My favourite has always been Pasta e Fagioli, but she has always made a fantastic Minestrone.  Contrary to what it may seem, Minestrone is actually a  pretty…

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Close-up of golden baked gnocchi alla Romana in baking dish.

Gnocchi alla Romana

Soft, creamy, and baked until lightly golden, Gnocchi alla Romana is classic Italian comfort food, with a cheesy finish and a texture meant to be enjoyed slowly.

Cucumber Sandwiches

Cucumber Sandwiches

The first time I had Cucumber Sandwiches, they were served as part of a high tea I attended with friends.  To me, the idea of having savoury treats along with tea sounded quite weird.  You see, Italians only have sweets with tea (mainly cookies or pastries), so the thought of eating a cucumber sandwich (of…

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Beetroot and Ricotta Gnocchi with Gorgonzola

Beetroot and Ricotta Gnocchi with Gorgonzola

I have always love beetroot, a taste I share with my dad.  I remember often buying it at the store whenever it was available.  We would buy it cooked, ready to be sliced and eaten.  My favourite way to eat beets was to make them into a simple salad with extra virgin olive oil 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.

Fresh tomato and labneh salad served with pomegranate dressing, cherry tomatoes and toasted flatbread.

Middle Eastern Tomato Salad with Labneh

Juicy tomatoes pair with creamy labneh and a fragrant za’atar dressing in this Tomato Salad with Labneh and Pomegranate Dressing, making it a refreshing side dish for barbecues and lunches.

Risotto with Zucchini and Pesto

Risotto with Zucchini and Pesto

I know some people find the idea of making risotto daunting.  I have shared many risotto recipes on this blog and it is actually the dish I first learnt how to cook on my own, as it was my favourite dish.  I was 6 or 7 years old, so as you can understand, making risotto…

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Taleggio Fonduta with Walnut Mezzelune served with creamy cheese sauce and chopped walnuts.

Taleggio and Walnut Mezzelune with Parmigiano Reggiano Fondue

For your next pasta night, Taleggio and Walnut Mezzelune with Parmigiano Reggiano Fondue brings tender half-moon pasta wrapped around creamy Taleggio and walnuts, finished with velvety Parmigiano fondue. I love making pasta from scratch. Some people find making bread relaxing and soothing. For me, making pasta has the same calming effect. Kneading the dough and…

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Spinach and Ricotta Pie

Spinach and Ricotta Pie

Today’s recipe is perfect for potlucks and picnics.  It is one of my favourite savoury pies and I make it often.  What I love the most about quiches and savoury pies is that you can prepare them in advance and eat them at room temperature, so you don’t have to spend too much time in…

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Crespelle Cake with Asparagus

The April Daring Cooks Challenge was brought to us by Joanna from What’s On The List. She taught us all about Pathiri and challenged us to create our own version of this inspirational Indian dish! Mmmm I know what you are thinking… “crespelle cake with asparagus” doesn’t sound very Indian.  And it isn’t.  Actually, Joanna…

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Pomegranate Risotto

Pomegranate Risotto

As you know, autumn has come to the Southern hemisphere.  I can’t lie… I don’t mind it.  I welcome the fresher air and the leaves changing colour on the trees.  It is a beautiful season.  And I LOVE autumn food: mushrooms, chestnuts, quince… pomegranates.  In fact, pomegranates always put a smile on my face: I…

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A fresh bowl of Fattoush salad with crispy khubz, cucumbers, radishes, pomegranate, and sumac dressing.

Fattoush with Sumac Dressing

Bright, zesty, and refreshing, this Fattoush with Sumac Dressing brings together the best of crispy bread, fresh vegetables, and a tangy sumac dressing. Perfect for meal prepping or a quick lunch.

Linguine with Potatoes

Linguine with Potatoes

Today’s recipe is not my own.  It’s actually my mother’s.  It is one of her favourite pasta sauces and she made it for all of us when visiting from Italy.  Usually, as a rule of thumb, Italians do not eat other carbs together with pasta, but this is a delicious exception.  I often say that…

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Spanakopita

Spanakopita

The February Daring Cooks‘ Challenge was hosted by Audax of Audax Artifex. The challenge brought us to Greece with a delicious, flaky spanakopita – a spinach pie in a phyllo pastry shell. Oh Greek food, how I love thee!  I think the fact that Italians and Greeks share a sea and lots of history, has…

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Arancine with Spinach

ARANCINE WITH SPINACH

If you have read my latest post, you will know that I am hosting this month’s challenge at the Daring Cooks!  I chose to challenge my fellow daring cooks to make Arancine from scratch, including risotto!  I also shared 3 different recipes with them: Arancine al Ragu’, Arancine al Burro and Arancine agli Spinaci. The…

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THE DARING COOKS’ JANUARY 2014 CHALLENGE: ARANCINE

This month’s challenge is very special for a few reasons. For starters, our hostess, Manu, graciously stepped in with very little notice and created an entire amazing challenge in pretty much no time at all. Secondly, Manu managed to do all of this while publishing her very first e-cookbook. Seriously, you simply must check it…

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Braised Fennel with Red Wine Vinegar

BRAISED FENNEL WITH RED WINE VINEGAR

Going through my Recipe Archive, I have realised that I don’t have as many side dish recipes as I should!  So today I will share with you a very quick and delicious side dish, perfect to accompany both meat (especially pork) and fish: Braised Fennel with Red Wine Vinegar.  It is a dish my mum…

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Spinach and feta gozleme with browned flatbread edges.

Spinach and Feta Gozleme

Soft flatbread, savoury spinach filling, and pan cooking make this Spinach and Feta Gozleme recipe easy to recreate at home.

Close-up of Tortelli di Zucca with soft pumpkin filling and melted butter.

Tortelli di Zucca (Pumpkin Tortelli)

Tortelli di Zucca, or Pumpkin Tortelli, is one of Mantova’s most loved dishes, pasta filled with roasted pumpkin and amaretti, served with golden butter and crisp sage leaves.

Cabbage and Taleggio Crespelle

CABBAGE AND TALEGGIO CRESPELLE

The weather is getting warmer in Sydney, though I always find it hard to think of September/October as “spring”.  To me it’s still autumn, back to school season and the time during which to enjoy mushrooms, cabbage and pumpkin!  I am hopeless, I know!  So… before it gets even warmer down here, let me share…

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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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