Manu’s Menu

Authentic Italian Home Cooking & More

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Italian Grilled Vegetables

Italian Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables are a staple at our place especially in spring and summer. In fact, this recipe is dedicated to all my friends in the Northern hemisphere (though my readers who are going into winter should definitely bookmark it for later!). When I met my husband, he barely ate any vegetable. True story. But these…

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Pasta with Fried Zucchini

Pasta with Fried Zucchini

I know I don’t even enough pasta recipes on the blog… and that’s such a pity! So, I decided to fix it and I am planning a little series about quick, simple and affordable pasta recipes. Who says that you need to go out of budget to have “real, healthy food”? Pasta usually makes everyone…

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Risotto with Zucchini Cream and Basil

Risotto with Zucchini Cream and Basil

Besides experimenting with Japanese cooking, I have also cooked some good old Italian food. This Risotto with Zucchini Cream and Basil is one of my latest favourite risotto and I have it quite often, alternating it with the Pumpkin and Gorgonzola one. I love the combination of zucchini and basil as I think their flavours…

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Zucchini Flower and Stracchino Risotto

Zucchini Flower and Stracchino Risotto

A few weeks ago, I went to the markets and managed to find some good deals.  I bought a whole tray of artichokes for less than half the price they are usually sold at the grocery store and I was also lucky enough to find zucchini flowers.  Zucchini flowers are very common in Italy and…

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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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Lasagne with zucchini pesto, speck and smoked scamorza

LASAGNE WITH ZUCCHINI PESTO, SPECK AND SMOKED SCAMORZA

Mmmm Lasagne!  My favourite dish ever.  Growing up my parents and I would make Lasagne for big occasions, like Christmas or birthdays.  And they would always be the classic meat version (you can find my recipe here).  Well, lately I have been making all sorts of Lasagne.  Remember my Pesto Lasagne (my all time favourite!), or…

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Zucchini and Blue Cheese Savoury Pastries

ZUCCHINI AND BLUE CHEESE SAVOURY PASTRIES

As I wrote in my previous post about the Pizza flavoured Savoury Pastries, Italian birthday parties always have some sort of savoury pastries in the menu.  After taking care of the kids with Pizza, I though I should make something more suited for the adults (even though, let me tell you that many of the…

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Bowl of trofie pasta topped with zucchini cream sauce.

Trofie with Taleggio and Zucchini

Soft Taleggio warms into a velvety sauce mixed with blended zucchini, coating Trofie with Taleggio and Zucchini in a light, creamy cheese flavour that fits weeknight meals.

A bowl of spaghetti with prawns and zucchini served alongside white wine and fresh whole prawns.

Prawn and Zucchini Spaghetti

Quick enough for a weeknight meal, Prawn and Zucchini Spaghetti combines seafood, vegetables and pasta in one satisfying dish without a complicated ingredient list.

Baked Jumbo Shells filled with Zucchini and Mushrooms

BAKED JUMBO SHELLS FILLED WITH ZUCCHINI AND MUSHROOMS

Today’s recipe is the perfect recipe to make for a Sunday lunch or any special occasion.  It does require a little work, but it is definitely worth it and it is a dish that can be prepared in advance and then baked on the day.  Needless to say, it is delicious.  My 5 year old…

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Savoury Zucchini Muffins

Give lunch boxes a savoury change with these Savoury Zucchini Muffins, combining a tender crumb, grated zucchini and rich, cheesy flavour.

Busiati with Herbs, Pistachio pesto and crunchy Zucchini

BUSIATI WITH HERBS, PISTACHIO PESTO AND CRUNCHY ZUCCHINI

I noticed that I haven’t shared many pasta recipes lately… and for an Italian food blogger that’s bad!  Oh so bad!  So, today I am going to make it up to you with a special post that is very good for you!  My dear friend Cì from Il Mondo di Cì informed me of a…

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CORSICAN STUFFED COURGETTES – GUEST POST FROM JILL OF MAD ABOUT MACARONS

If you follow me regularly, you may know that I am off for a short holiday with my family for some well deserved R&R.  While I am gone, I thought I would leave you in good company.  I have wanted to host some guests on Manu’s Menu for a while and this sounded like the…

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Freshly baked crespelle with creamy béchamel and golden top in a dish.

Stuffed Crespelle

Finished with a light golden crust, Stuffed Crespelle blends soft crêpes, smooth sauce, and melted cheese that create creamy layers from the first slice.

A thick slice of Greek moussaka served with parsley beside a fork and white wine.

Moussaka

A warm tray of Moussaka is all you need after a long day. Soft veggies, rich meat sauce, and creamy topping come together in one satisfying bake.

Zucchini and Ricotta Quiche

ZUCCHINI AND RICOTTA QUICHE

The other day some friends came over for lunch and I wanted to make something quick and tasty that could be prepared in advance, so that I could spend more time chit chatting with them instead of being busy in the kitchen.  I like making all sorts of quiches, which in Italy are called “torte…

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Penne with zucchini and speck

PENNE WITH ZUCCHINI AND SPECK

This pasta brings back lots of wonderful childhood memories.  I still remember the first time I ate this pasta even though I was only 7 years old.  It was a very cold winter evening and I was on a ski holiday, a “settimana bianca” (literally a “white week”) as we call it in Italy.  We…

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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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