Milan has something to offer the visitor at all times of the year, but Rachael Martin finds its café culture particularly appealing in the lead-up to Christmas… Photos by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated It’s late afternoon along Corso Magenta. The streetlights have come on, and the orange Carrelli trams wind their way through the […]
Our experts are here to help with all your questions about Italy. This month we find a favourite Neapolitan recipe, go cycling in Italy and ask about Americans buying property there… Favourite recipe I’m looking for a recipe for pasta fazool. We had it on holiday in Naples and it was deliciously different! I have […]
Enjoy Mario Matassa’s easy recipe for arancini – delicious balls of risotto – they are a great way to use up leftovers… Serves 2 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 2 free-range eggs, beaten • 50g fine breadcrumbs • 350g cooked risotto • 125g fresh mozzarella, chopped into small cubes • a few […]
A great way to use up leftover polenta, frittelle di polenta works as either an accompaniment or a main dish – Mario Matassa shows us how it’s done… Serves 2 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 2 large floury potatoes • 200g leftover polenta • 75g Taleggio cheese, chopped • 30g Parmesan, grated • […]
Polpette – made from meat, fish or vegetables – can either be prepared from leftovers or made with fresh ingredients. Mario Matassa shares this classic dish… Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 15 minutes Ingredients: • 350g leftover boiled or roast meat (chicken, turkey or beef) • 2 slices of day-old bread • a few tablespoons […]
This Italian omelette recipe from Mario Matassa uses asparagus, potatoes and cheese, but the beauty of the dish is that you can include pretty much any ingredients you fancy… Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 2 free-range eggs • a handful of cooked asparagus stalks, roughly chopped • a few cooked roast […]
Adrian Mourby takes a walk around the tranquil backwaters of Venice as he explores the city’s fascinating Castello district… Photos by Kate Tadman-Mourby It’s the sestiere that Venetians call truly Venetian. The neighbourhood of Castello consists of the same narrow lanes, broad campi and monumental churches as the other five sestieri, but it lacks the […]
Green spinach pasta is probably the most popular and widely used flavoured pasta and this lasagne from Mario Matassa is a great way to showcase its charms… Serves 4 Preparation time 45 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 350g plain flour • 3 medium free-range eggs • 100g fresh spinach For the sauce • 500ml […]
Cuttlefish (seppia) is very popular in Italian cuisine and its ink can be bought in small packets in supermarkets or Italian speciality stores – here’s a great recipe to showcase its flavour Serves 4 Preparation time 45 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 400g plain flour • 4 medium free-range eggs • 1 sachet of cuttlefish ink […]
Love pasta? Adore chocolate? It turns out that the two can be deliciously combined – Mario Matassa shows us how in this meaty recipe that’s bursting with flavour Serves 4 Preparation time 50 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 2 hours 45 minutes Ingredients: • 400g plain flour • 4 medium free-range eggs • 1 tbsp bitter cocoa powder For […]