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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
Rabbit is a versatile meat that can be pan-fried, roasted or stewed. Remember that older rabbits will taste better after being marinated overnight and cooked slowly. Recipe by Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 1 hour Ingredients: • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped • 1kg wild rabbit on […]
In Italy wild boar (cinghiale) tends to be cooked very slowly over a long period to avoid the meat becoming tough. Mario’s recipe is a tasty take on a classic dish Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 2 hours Ingredients: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped • 500g wild boar […]
Make your own pasta all’uovo – egg pasta – with Mario Matassa’s recipe. It’s the ideal starting point for cooking numerous delicious pasta dishes… Serves 4 Preparation time 30 minutes, plus resting Ingredients: • 400g plain flour • 4 medium free-range eggs Instructions: 1 Place the flour on a large worksurface and make a well in the […]
These vanilla scented creamy panacottas, drizzled in a summer fruit coulis, go brilliantly with fruit, and raspberries and blackcurrants are a winning combination for a delicious summer dessert Serves: 4 Prep time: 25 mins Cook time: 10 mins Ingredients For the pannacotta 300ml milk (full fat or semi skimmed) 300ml double cream 30g caster sugar […]
Cannoli are classic Italian pastries, originally from Sicily. They make beautiful little treats to wow your friends! Ingredients Pastry 250g plain flour 1tsp cocoa powder 1tsp freshly ground coffee 30g softened butter 25g sugar 100ml white wine 1 egg, beaten Filling 600g ricotta cheese 150g icing sugar 25g chocolate chips 50g candied fruits, finely chopped olive […]
Ever thought of topping your pizza with asparagus? Now there’s an idea… This pizza bianco is quick to prepare and takes just 10 minutes in the oven – it’s the ideal mid-week supper Serves: 2 – Preparation time: 5 minutes – Cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients 100ml crème fraiche 20g parmesan, grated 2 flatbreads 2 tbsp flaked […]