Spinach and ricotta tortelli are one of Italy’s great comfort foods, delicate parcels of fresh pasta filled with creamy ricotta and soft spinach. Served with tomato and basil, they’re elegant enough for a Sunday lunch yet reassuringly simple to make. Across Italy, stuffed pasta takes countless forms, from the tiny folded shapes of Emilia-Romagna to […]
Want to make the perfect Italian-style focaccia? Mario Matassa shows us how in this step-by-step recipe, enriched with cherry tomatoes and herbs To say that Italians take their focaccia very seriously would be a simple understatement. Once, a dentist friend asked me if I’d like to take a quick drive with him as he had […]
With its iconic bridge and elegant architecture, the Rialto district of Venice is steeped in history. Joe Gartman tells the story of Fondaco dei Tedeschi It may be on a spring day, when the faded facades of old palazzi are reflected in the gently flattering mirror called the Grand Canal; or an autumn evening, when […]
This simple and satisfying penne and mushroom dish is the perfect solution for a tasty midweek meal. Try it tonight! In Italy, porcini mushrooms reign supreme, but this pasta dish can also be made with other varieties, depending on what you have on hand (skip the soaking step if using fresh rather than dried). Penne […]
Many towns are called the ‘City of Love’ – Rome, Verona and Paris, to name but three. For Sara Scarpa, however, none can match the claims of her native Venice, home to Casanova, Byron, Carnival, and countless secret little places where lovers have found the privacy they seek… Often during a brisk walk through the […]
Don’t throw away that stale bread or cold pasta! Explore simple, economical Italian recipes like Frittata and Polpette that transform leftovers into comfort food. For Italians, using up leftover food is a virtue, and one that has been transformed into an artform. The Tuscans in particular are a shining example of this tradition. It’s often […]
Heralded as one of the most romantic countries in the world, Italy has no end of date-worthy spots to choose from. So move over Venice, these are truly the most romantic destinations in Italy… 1. Florence It sometimes seems as though Florence’s magnificent architecture and piazze were designed to please enamoured couples. Not only does […]
Looking for things to do in Liguria? You’ll be spoilt for choice with ten good reasons why it is a favourite destination for all the family Home to the ancient Liguri and, later, the maritime Republic of Genoa, Liguria’s spectacular coastline, pastel-coloured villages, well-equipped beaches and mild climate have been loved by many. In 1866, […]
Experience the magic of winter in the Valle di Gran San Bernardo. Join Rachael Martin at the vibrant Coumba Freida Carnival in the Aosta Valley, and explore the snow-covered slopes of the Great St Bernard Pass. It was carnival time on a cold February morning in the Great St Bernard Valley in northern Italy’s Aosta […]
Mario Matassa shares his verdure piccanti recipe, for preserving a glut of garden vegetables into a piquant pickle that will see you through till next summer. This zesty vegetable preserve is a superb way to utilise your abundance of summer harvest. It bears a strong resemblance to the traditional giardiniera, though the classic version is […]