Recipes from Venice – Part 2

The most popular soup in Venice is pasta and fagioli (pasta and beans), a hearty combination that warms body and soul during the long rainy season. Risi e bisi (rice and peas) is a simple and yet delicious duo enjoyed especially in the early spring. The local pasta of choice is bigoli, long wholewheat strands […]

Dessert Recipe: Moscato and Concord Grape Jelly

Moscato and Concord Grape Jelly- Italy Travel and Life

Whip up a quick and colourful dessert with this tasty treat, which combines the fruitiness of concord grapes and the sweetness of Moscato wine to round off any meal in style Moscato and Concord Grape Jelly Ingredients For the Jelly: 1½ cups (7oz or 200g) concord grapes 2 tbsps sugar 2 tsps water 3.4 fl oz (100ml) […]

Risotto Di Verdure (Vegetable Risotto) Recipe

The winning stroke in this vegetable risotto is the fried artichokes on top. The combination of artichokes and fresh mint to pull through the risotto as you are eating is great. When making your vegetable broth, add the asparagus trimmings to give a good depth of flavour. Risotto Di Verdure – Vegetable Risotto Ingredients 225g (8oz) […]

Recipes from Venice – Part 1

The legendary cuisine of La Serenisima deserves close attention, so join Mario Matassa as he unpicks the flavours and feeling behind Venetian cooking… Venice hardly needs an introduction. One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, the Renaissance city is renowned among other things for its stunning architecture, its history, its art, its […]

Chicken with salmoriglio

Third in our new series of Sicilian recipes is this beautiful, flavour filled recipe…   Chicken with salmoriglio Pollo al salmoriglio  Serves 4-6 – Preparation 2 hours – Cooking 40 minutes Ingredients 1 1.8kg chicken (preferably organic), butterflied 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp fresh rosemary 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped For the salmoriglio: 1 garlic clove, crushed 2 bunches of […]

Anchovy and mozzarella mini rolls

Second in our new series of Sicilian recipes is the Anchovy and Mozerella Mini Rolls.  Anchovy and mozzarella mini rolls Crispeddi siciliani Makes 12 – Preparation 2 hours – Cooking 15 minutes Ingredients 250g white strong flour 2 tsp fine sea salt 10g fresh yeast, crumbled, or 1 tsp dried yeast 2 tbsp olive oil 150ml water, at […]

Aubergine and Pomegranate Recipe

A new series of Sicilian recipes. Sicily offers delicious influences from all over the Mediterranean and beyond! Aubergine and Pomegranate Salad   Ingredients 2 medium aubergines cut lengthways into 4mm-thick slices 3 tbsp olive oil grated zest and freshly squeezed juice of 2 unwaxed lemons 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1½ tbsp white wine vinegar […]

Tagliatelle with pesto trapanese

This makes quite a lot of pesto, so if you have too much for the pasta you can pop the excess in a container and keep it in the fridge, under olive oil, for a few days. Tagliatelle with pesto trapanese Tagliatelle al pesto trapanese Serves 2 – Preparation 10 minutes – Cooking 10 minutes Ingredients 200g […]

Baked Ricotta with grilled vegetables

Why not try this delicious recipe, healthy, tasty and quick! Only 40 minutes to get this perfect two person meal… Baked ricotta with grilled vegetables Ricotta al forno con verdure Ricotta has a rich yet delicate flavour that complements all sorts of grilled summer vegetables. This combination is typically Mediterranean, but use your imagination – […]

Grilled Fig and Prosciutto Bruschetta

This combination of caramelised figs and crisply barbecued prosciutto is irresistible. The figs are best cooked on a barbecue, but you can use a stove-top grill pan or a grill – just get the right amount of charring on the figs Method To make the bruschetta, grill, toast or pan-grill the bread on both sides […]