Zucchine alla Scapece – delicious fried zucchini dressed with mint, garlic and vinegar. This classic Neapolitan side dish works beautifully with grilled meats, fish or served on crostini. Zucchine alla Scapece is a traditional Neapolitan preparation that’s surprisingly simple yet full of bright, Mediterranean flavour. Thinly sliced zucchini are fried until golden, then tossed with … Read more

Torta Caprese Bianca is a classic flourless almond cake from the island of Capri. This lighter, white version swaps dark chocolate for white chocolate and adds bright lemon zest for a fresh citrus lift. The result is a dense, moist, fudgy cake that’s subtly sweet and wonderfully zingy — ideal with morning coffee or as … Read more

Spaghetti al Rancetto is a classic Umbrian pasta dish made with a simple tomato sauce, sweet onion, crispy pancetta, grated pecorino and a touch of marjoram. This rustic recipe is easy to prepare, relies on pantry-friendly ingredients, and delivers bold, authentic Italian flavour in every bite. Pasta al Rancetto originates from Umbria and is traditionally … Read more

Sarti Spritz is a bright, fruity Italian cocktail made with Sarti Rosa, Prosecco and a splash of soda water. Refreshing, colourful and very easy to make, it is a lovely summer aperitivo to serve with olives, grissini and simple Italian antipasti. Could the Sarti Spritz be the next must-try spritz for warm weather entertaining? If … Read more

Grilled summer vegetables tossed in a simple oregano, garlic, tomato and red onion marinade. This easy recipe is delicious on crostini, alongside grilled meat or fish, or served as a substantial salad with beans. I can’t get enough of grilled vegetables in summer — they pair with almost everything and can be used in many … Read more

Grilled summer vegetables tossed in a simple oregano, garlic, tomato and red onion marinade. This easy recipe is delicious on crostini, alongside grilled meat or fish, or served as a substantial salad with beans. I can’t get enough of grilled vegetables in summer — they pair with almost everything and can be used in many … Read more

Orecchiette tossed in a silky zucchini sauce made from zucchini, garlic and butter, finished with roasted cherry tomatoes and crunchy Parmigiano breadcrumbs. Bright, full of summer flavor and surprisingly creamy without any cream. Last year our allotment produced more zucchini than we could eat, so we experimented with many zucchini dishes — pasta sauces, risottos … Read more

This Pistachio Affogato is a playful twist on the traditional Italian affogato, made with pistachio cream, pistachio ice cream, chopped pistachios and a hot shot of espresso. It’s a simple, elegant dessert that takes less than 10 minutes to make and delivers rich, nutty flavour. An affogato is one of my favourite quick desserts. I … Read more

Pasta fredda — a chilled pasta salad — dressed in a creamy sun-dried tomato and ricotta sauce, tossed with fresh cherry tomatoes, mozzarella bocconcini, olives and peppery arugula. Light, simple and ideal for sunny summer lunches, picnics or barbecues. I love an easy pasta salad in the warmer months — it’s great to make ahead, … Read more

Hello, dear readers — how is October treating you so far? Welcome to another edition of “Here’s What’s Up!” Today I’m going to be honest and open about a recent experience. It’s easy to write about successes, but sometimes the lessons come from the disappointments. I’m sharing this in case someone out there can learn … Read more