Enjoy Mario Matassa’s easy recipe for arancini – delicious balls of risotto – they are a great way to use up leftover rice… I’ve always wondered why arancini balls are especially popular in the south of Italy, despite the fact that risotto is a northern speciality. Arancini balls are the south’s answer to a great […]
A great way to use up leftover polenta, Frittelle di polenta works as either an accompaniment or a main dish. Here’s how to make it… Polenta is perhaps the most humble of all Italian staples. When first cooked, it is eaten ‘wet’. In this form it can be enjoyed on its own or as an […]
Polpette – made from meat, fish or vegetables – can either be prepared from leftovers or made with fresh ingredients. Mario Matassa shares this classic dish… Polpette (small, round patties) can be made from meat, fish or vegetables, and can either be cooked in a tomato sauce or fried. Traditionally they were prepared from leftovers, […]
This no-fuss Italian omelette recipe uses asparagus, potatoes and cheese, but the beauty of the dish is that you can include pretty much any ingredients you fancy… The frittata is simply an Italian version of the omelette. It’s a no-fuss dish, with no hard and fast rules when it comes to adding fillings. It’s the […]
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 […]
Sarah Rodrigues has a sparkling time on the southern shores of Lake Iseo, where they produce champagne-method wines to rival the best… Images by Sarah Rodrigues unless otherwise stated “Why wasn’t I born the daughter of an Italian winemaker?” This green-tinged thought ripples through my mind as I stand in the cavernous space below […]
Join Amanda Robinson to discover some Milan’s very best sights and attractions, plus top places to eat and great accommodation to suit all budgets… Photos by Amanda Robinson unless otherwise stated What to see and do San Bernardino alle Ossa The walls of this 13th-century ossuary chapel are almost entirely covered with skulls and bones. […]
If you’re seeking an Italian-inspired sweet treat, this cake recipe from Mario Matassa could be exactly what you’ve been looking for… Makes one 26cm cake Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 40-45 minutes Ingredients: • 250g mascarpone • 3 medium free-range eggs • 180g white caster sugar • 50g unsalted butter, melted • 200ml milk • zest of […]
The classic dish of spaghetti cacio e pepe makes a perfect midweek meal and is a perfect recipe for showcasing delicious pecorino cheese… Serves 4 Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 8 minutes Ingredients: • 320g spaghetti • 250g semi-mature pecorino cheese • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • freshly ground black pepper Instructions: 1 This […]
Mario Matassa has created a wonderful take on zucchine ripiene – a truly delicious partnership of courgettes and parmesan! Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 4 medium courgettes • 200g fresh breadcrumbs • 2 medium free-range eggs • 60g cooked ham in one thick slice • 80g freshly grated parmesan • […]