5 reasons foodies love to visit Assisi

In the heart of Umbria, the UNESCO World Heritage town of Assisi may be small, but it has plenty to offer any visiting food fan. Here are the top reasons foodies love Assisi: 1. Perfect pasticcerie Those with a sweet tooth will be glad to hear that Assisi is blessed with many tempting pasticcerie. A […]

Step-by-step focaccia with cherry tomatoes and herbs

Focaccia with cherry tomatoes and herbs

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 […]

5 reasons foodies love to visit Parma

Prosciutto di Parma

Parma is a food enthusiast’s heaven. Here are five reasons to make it your next destination for a foodie holiday: 1. Parmigiano-Reggiano One of Parma’s most popular exports is Parmigiano-Reggiano, the grainy cheese named after the area in which it is produced. The cheese, which is often aged for at least two years, is popularly […]

Breaded Porcini Mushrooms

Breaded Porcini Mushrooms

This breaded mushroom recipe turns fresh porcini into something irresistibly crisp and golden. With just breadcrumbs, parsley and hot oil, they’re proof that the best mushrooms need very little embellishment. In parts of Italy where porcini appear with reliable generosity, mushroom season has a rhythm all of its own. Baskets are carried into the woods […]

Penne with Porcini Mushrooms and Peas

Penne with mushrooms and peas

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 […]

Spaghetti with crispy breadcrumbs and anchovies

Spaghetti with crispy breadcrumbs and anchovies

Spaghetti with crispy breadcrumbs and anchovies is a simple, coastal Italian pasta that lets fresh anchovies shine. Sweet cherry tomatoes, golden breadcrumbs and good olive oil turn a modest catch into something spectacular. There is something about fresh anchovies that invites company. Perhaps it is their abundance, arriving by the kilo in crates packed with […]

Sugared almonds in Sulmona: The city of confetti

Close up of a selection of confetti - in a floral bouquet in yellows, reds. and white.

Jenny Oldaker traces the 15th-century origins of Sulmona’s world-famous confetti, discovering how these sugar-coated treasures became the vibrant heart of Italian celebrations and Abruzzese culture. Taking a stroll down Sulmona’s Corso Ovidio is a colourful affair. Wander any length of this elegant thoroughfare and you’ll soon be greeted by scores of shops brimming with pops […]

The art of using leftovers: An Italian tradition

Italian food

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 […]

Italian pizza recipes: four authentic vegetarian pizzas to make at home

italian pizza recipes: 4 vegetarian topping ideas

Learn to make these authentic Italian pizza recipes with meat-free toppings, from tomato and Asiago to fig and mascarpone Looking for Italian pizza recipes with a vegetarian twist? First, master the basics of making the ultimate Italian-style pizza dough using fresh yeast. Then, take your pick of four meat-free recipes for authentic Italian pizza toppings. […]