As the days begin to draw in, top up your vitamin D levels with sunshine and blue skies in the new issue of Italia! – the perfect companion to brighten your autumn Whether you want to learn more about the cartapesta tradition of Salento in Puglia, or explore Villa Balbiano on Lake Como, we have travel […]
Italy’s two largest islands produce sumptuous red wines of great quality and international renown, with prices to suit any budget. Our experts have chosen six examples to try… Sardinia and Sicily have a proud and long-lived history of wine production, dating from colonisation by the Greeks, whose presence dominated the islands from around 800 to […]
Twenty years ago Rachael Martin arrived in Italy, exploring the country by rail and dreaming of rooms with a view. Twenty years, one Italian husband and two kids later, she still has the memories of those first voyages of discovery… Photos by Rachael Martin It started early one morning with a train, a train that […]
If you’re seeking an Italian-inspired sweet treat, this cake recipe from Mario Matassa could be exactly what you’ve been looking for… Makes one 26cm cake Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 40-45 minutes Ingredients: • 250g mascarpone • 3 medium free-range eggs • 180g white caster sugar • 50g unsalted butter, melted • 200ml milk • zest of […]
For the latest in Mario Matassa’s series on the secrets of Italian food, we turn to the subject of cheese, focusing on fontina, ricotta, parmesan, pecorino and mascarpone Photos by Mario Matassa According to my doctor, it’s okay for me to eat a little cheese every day – just as long as I always wash […]
The classic dish of spaghetti cacio e pepe makes a perfect midweek meal and is a perfect recipe for showcasing delicious pecorino cheese… Serves 4 Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 8 minutes Ingredients: • 320g spaghetti • 250g semi-mature pecorino cheese • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • freshly ground black pepper Instructions: 1 This […]
Mario Matassa has created a wonderful take on zucchine ripiene – a truly delicious partnership of courgettes and parmesan! Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 4 medium courgettes • 200g fresh breadcrumbs • 2 medium free-range eggs • 60g cooked ham in one thick slice • 80g freshly grated parmesan • […]
This delicious tart recipe by Mario Matassa uses a hard ricotta and it makes for a wonderful picnic accompaniment or weekend lunch… Serves 4-6 Preparation time 5-7 minutes Cooking time 30-35 minutes Ingredients: • 500g Swiss chard (or other greens such as cavolo nero or kale) • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper • 2 medium free-range […]
Mario Matassa’s take on Gnocchi alla fonduta is a simpler version, but no less tasty… and you still get to try four of Italy’s best-known cheeses on one spoon! Serves 4 Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 15 minutes Ingredients: • 50ml milk • 150g fontina, chopped • 150g gorgonzola, chopped • 150g taleggio, chopped • 3 […]
Sara Scarpa explores some of the best things to see and do – plus top places to eat and stay – in the atmospheric southern city of Matera in Basilicata Photos by Iain Reid What to see and do Discover Matera Underground at Ipogeo Materasum Book a guided tour at Ipogeo Materasum, an underground environment […]