Gnocchi tossed in a bright, peppery arugula pesto, finished with creamy burrata and crisp pancetta. This quick and easy dish is packed with flavour and comes together in under 30 minutes—perfect for busy weeknights when you want something satisfying without much fuss. A simple arugula pesto makes an excellent sauce for gnocchi. Emulsified with a … Read more

Rustici Leccesi are golden puff pastry pies from the Salento region of Puglia. They combine flaky, buttery pastry with creamy bechamel, a spoonful of tomato and a cube of mozzarella for a simple, authentic Italian snack or appetizer perfect for aperitivo or packed for a summer picnic. These little pies are a street food classic … Read more

A simple, healthy granola made with honey, nuts, seeds and dried fruit. This easy recipe yields enough for several days of breakfasts and can be customised with your favourite nuts and fruits. Serve it with Greek yoghurt or milk and fresh berries. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but during busy weekdays … Read more

Decadent, smooth and creamy chocolate hazelnut ice cream made with homemade chocolate hazelnut spread. An easy recipe the whole family will enjoy. After sharing my homemade chocolate hazelnut spread recently, I had a jar to use up and decided to turn it into ice cream. This chocolate hazelnut ice cream is rich, silky and packed … Read more

Gremolata is a bright, zesty Italian herb condiment made from parsley, garlic and lemon zest. Ready in about 5 minutes, it’s an effortless way to add fresh flavour to stews, soups, risotto and many other dishes. If you have a lot of parsley to use up or want a simple way to brighten almost any … Read more

Pasta alla Boscaiola – an easy and comforting pasta made with a rich, creamy sausage and mushroom sauce. It’s quick to prepare and full of autumnal flavor. Pasta alla Boscaiola literally means “woodland-style pasta.” Like many classic Italian dishes, it has numerous regional variations. The central ingredient is mushrooms — without them it wouldn’t be … Read more

Chicken Sorrentina is an easy, comforting Italian dish: chicken baked Sorrento style in a rich tomato and basil sauce, finished with creamy melted mozzarella. It’s perfect for weeknights and pairs well with simple sides such as roast potatoes or steamed green beans. Inspired by Gnocchi alla Sorrentina from the Sorrento region near Naples, this version … Read more

Apple Olive Oil Cake made with cinnamon, apples, and sultanas is moist, tender, and full of flavour. It works beautifully as a light dessert with cream or vanilla ice cream and is equally lovely for breakfast alongside a cup of coffee. Using olive oil instead of butter keeps this cake exceptionally moist and gives it … Read more

I call this The Sbagliato Rosso. It’s a playful, delicious twist on the classic Negroni Sbagliato, swapping Prosecco for sparkling Lambrusco. The result balances sweet fruitiness with Negroni bitterness, yet remains very easy to make. I’ll admit: I’m not a huge Campari fan. My husband loves the classic Negroni, but I find it very bitter. … Read more

Soft and light Italian Bomboloni Doughnuts rolled in sugar and filled with Italian pastry cream (crema pasticciera). These doughnuts are wonderfully indulgent and make a special treat. There’s very little that compares to fresh, warm doughnuts — especially when they’re filled with thick, limoncello-scented pastry cream. Crema pasticciera is one of my favourite fillings: it … Read more