This tart by Lakeland is the perfect dish for a summer picnic or a light evening meal with some potatoes and salad For the rough puff pastry: 75g plain flour Pinch salt 25g butter, chilled and cut into 1cm cubes 25g white vegetable fat, chilled and cut into 1cm cubes 3 tbsp cold water For […]
Amanda Robinson is no stranger to Italian cooking. This time round she opted for a week long class in Venice and was impressed every step of the way. Like so many Italia! readers, I adore the vibrant food culture in Italy and I love to cook Italian food at home. I have enjoyed a number […]
Here are our top picks for June, from summer travel essentials to furniture, accessories and gift ideas. On the go The Zalia backpack is perfect for your travels this summer. £109, www.samsonite.co.uk Ball skills Perfect polpette every time with the Italian-designed Universal Food Baller. £4.95, www.souschef.co.uk Happy hour Spritz celebrates the story of this much-loved […]
Deep in the heart of Le Marche, ex-pats Ashley and Jason Bartner are celebrating a very special anniversary this year at La Tavola Marche… Long-time readers will remember your regular columns in Italia! over the years, but for newer readers, can you tell us what you do at La Tavola Marche? We connect our guests to […]
Isabella d’Este was the Marchesa of Mantua and the first lady of the Renaissance. Jane Keightley goes to Mantua to find out more about Isabella d’Este and the Gonzaga family she married into, to explore the Palazzo Ducale where she lived, and see the city she knew. The letter quoted below fair representation of Isabella’s character, […]
These days a resident of Bristol, Tom Alberto Bull sees the street art culture of Banksy’s home town with the perspective of someone who has seen similar phenomena in Naples and Bologna… An artist’s playground Since the emergence of world-renowned graffiti artists such as Banksy the street art scene has taken off globally – and […]
If you’re hitting the Italian roads this summer, here are seven ways to ensure that you have a stress-free motoring experience. Paul Pettengale is your guide… Do hire a car that’s big enough for your party and all your luggage. It sounds obvious, but a family of four plus suitcases for a couple of weeks […]
Once the go-to Italian white with mediocre credentials, now is the time to take another look at Pinot Grigio – the fine examples being produced today are worthy of our attention. Grown throughout northern Italy, the Pinot Grigio grape is most widely found in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Veneto, Umbria, Trentino and Emilia-Romagna. Not that long ago, any […]
If you have ever skied at Chiavenna you will be aware of the concept of the crotto, a cave that has been converted into a restaurant. Rachael Martin revisits the haunts of her youth… Walk into Pasticceria Mastai in Chiavenna on a cold winter’s morning and it’s full of skiers having a quick cappuccino and […]
Artichokes, for example, began their season in Italy before Easter, but the British season often lags some way behind. Mario Matassa is your guide to your local market’s fare… Mackerel – Sgombro This silver-bodied fish with dark grey stripes is a close relative of the tuna fish, yet has quite a different flavour. Plentiful in […]