This recipe for canestrelli biscuits makes it easy to create this tasty Ligurian treat – Mario Matassa shares his technique to show us how its done… These biscotti would traditionally have been twice cooked (bis-cotti), resulting in a crisp exterior and crumbly interior. Canestrelli can be bought today, fresh from the ovens, in any good […]
This delicious swordfish dish (pesce spada alla ligure) from Mario Matassa is a treat for seafood fans, and a real taste of northern Italy Throughout Liguria, capers, pine nuts and lemons are used to flavour and garnish dishes – as in this swordfish dish. It’s always best to use unwaxed, organic lemons: Serves 4 Preparation time […]
If you like anchovies (alici in Italian), try this recipe from Mario Matassa, which would also work well with sardines… Anchovies are the most commonly served fish in the Cinque Terre, often simply marinated in lemon juice as an antipasto – this is a great way to serve them: Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time […]
Mario Matassa’s recipe for trofie with leeks, tomatoes and basil is a delicious taste of Liguria – known in Italian as trofie alle ligure The area around Cinque Terre, Liguria has a long-standing tradition of dried pasta. Trenette, long, thin linguine-like pasta, are served with pesto, potatoes and green beans. Equally popular today are trofie, […]
We could give you 100 reasons to visit Italy’s capital, but here we’re focusing on just the gastronomic highlights – here are our foodie tips for Rome! Images by iStock and iStockfood 1 One of the best ways to start the day in Rome, as it is in the rest of Italy, is […]
Una zucca is usually a pumpkin or marrow but it can apply to anything in the squash family – this flavoursome soup is hearty and comforting at any time of year By Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • a few tablespoons of olive oil • 1 small onion, peeled, finely […]
Yes, it’s packed with architectural treasures, fantastic shops and historic sights, but here are five reasons to visit Milan for its food and drink. How many of these have you tried? 1 Milan has lent its name to many famous dishes, and risotto alla Milanese is probably the best known.The saffron-flavoured rice, often served with the hearty […]
Food writer Mario Matassa introduces some Italian classics – traditional dishes that are known all over the world, yet rarely prepared properly outside of Italy – and shows us how they should be made… Photos by Mario Matassa Everyone loves ‘spag bol’. It’s possibly Britain’s favourite meal. Yet many people would be surprised to learn that […]
Think of Italy and its most well-known food exports, and a third of them come from one region: Emilia-Romagna. Alexander James finds out why this part of the country is such a gastronomic hot-spot… Photos by Bologna Welcome (www.bolognawelcome.com) unless otherwise stated Visit this region between the Adriatic Sea and Tuscany and you’ll find the […]
This asparagus bruschetta is great way to get in two of your five a day. With fresh green veg and creamy cheese, it’s a pretty and flavoursome dish that’s ideal for summer entertaining Makes 4 (serves 4 as a starter or snack) Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 10 mins Ingredients: 300g podded and […]