We’re kicking off the new year with these spectacular shots from all over Italy – all taken by our talented readers… This month’s winner: “Ortigia, Syracuse, Sicily. 13 December. The Festa di Santa Lucia, which commemorates the patron saint of Syracuse. The highlight is a procession during which an enormous silver statue of Saint Lucia […]
The ciambella rustica is a simple country cake made throughout Italy. It tends to be quite dry and so is often accompanied by a glass of white wine Makes one 26-cm cake Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 45 minutes Ingredients: • 400g self-raising flour • 180g caster sugar • 160g unsalted butter at room temperature • 3 […]
Mario Matassa shares this recipe for classic stuffed pasta – these tortelli are stuffed with the traditional combination of spinach and ricotta, but you can experiment with other fillings too… Serves 4 Preparation time 30 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: For the pasta • 200g plain flour • 2 free-range eggs, beaten For the […]
In Mario Matassa’s ‘brasato al Barolo‘ the meat is slow-cooked, which makes for mouth-wateringly tender meat, flavoured with this quality wine Serves 4-6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 3 hours, 10 minutes Ingredients: • 1 onion, peeled, finely diced • 2 celery stalks, finely diced • 1 carrot, peeled, finely diced • olive oil • 1 […]
Crostini are a smaller version of bruschette – here, Mario Matassa explains how to make tomato & aubergine and bean versions of the dish Serves 6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 10-15 minutes For the tomato & aubergine crostini Ingredients: • 1 small aubergine • 6 ripe plum tomatoes • 9 thick slices of day-old rustic bread […]
Sformatino is Italy’s simple and stress-free answer to the soufflé, and Mario Matassa’s mushroom version is a delicious crowd-pleaser Serves 6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 35 minutes Ingredients: • 250g mixed wild mushrooms, wiped with a damp cloth, sliced • 4 free-range eggs • 250g fresh ricotta • 50g Parmesan, grated • 1 tbsp finely […]
Lake Garda, the largest of the Italian lakes, can also be the most crowded. Chris Allsop visits its western side where he enjoys the lake’s quieter spots and a rich vein of history Photos by Chris Allsop Of all the Italian lakes, it’s Garda – with its enviably temperate climate – that really pulls […]
Our experts are here to help with all your questions about Italy. This month we examine the attraction of the Dolomites, select a prosecco for panettone, and open an Italian bank account… Photos by Getty Images Year-round dolomites What is the best all-season area in Italy to buy a second home? My wife and I […]
The key to this dish is finding the freshest liver possible, so make sure you go to a reputable butcher and order in advance. Recipe by Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 4 tbsp olive oil • 300g deer livers, cleaned • 50ml dry white wine • 4 […]
Mario Matassa’s Torta di lepre e funghi does require some effort, but you will be rewarded with a unique and flavoursome pie Serves 4 Preparation time 1 hour plus marinating Cooking time 2 hours Ingredients: For the marinade: • 350ml red wine • 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped • 1 onion, […]