These huggie biscuits (biscotti abbracci) combine light vanilla dough with dark cocoa for a crisp, buttery treat. Sweet, simple and perfect with coffee, they’re Italy’s most charming biscuit. For a country so devoted to coffee, Italy has surprisingly few biscuits made specifically to go with it. The abbraccio, meaning ‘hug’, is a joyful exception. One […]
Leave the cream in the fridge – Mario Matassa makes this spaghetti carbonara recipe in traditional Italian style, with simple, high-quality ingredients. The history of carbonara is very short. There’s no reference to it in cookbooks over 50 years old, at least not with this name. There are many stories, of varying credibility, which claim […]
This chocolate and mascarpone mousse is rich, elegant and irresistibly simple to make. With silky white chocolate and a pistachio crunch, it’s a proper Italian treat for dessert lovers. Chocolate might not be the first ingredient you associate with traditional Italian cuisine, but for many of us, it holds a very nostalgic place at the […]
This chickpea dip recipe makes a quick and easy dip or spread that’s perfect for entertaining. With creamy ricotta and bursts of sun-dried tomato flavour, it’s perfect for sharing over drinks or as a fuss-free starter. A good chickpea dip is always welcome at the table, and this one couldn’t be simpler to make. A […]
This no-bake chocolate salami recipe is a nostalgic Italian treat, perfect for sharing with friends or keeping in the fridge for indulgent slices all week. A classic Italian treat with a nostalgic twist, chocolate salami is one of those beloved sweets that proves Italy’s quiet affection for chocolate. While Italians have traditionally reserved chocolate for […]
Discover the best Italian dessert recipes. From creamy panna cotta to fruity ricotta cheesecake, they’ll bring sweetness to any occasion. Craving something sweet? These irresistible Italian dessert recipes have it all – creamy, fruity, and festive favourites you’ll want to make on repeat. When it comes to indulgent yet elegant sweet treats, few cuisines do […]
This tempting Italian fruit salad is enhanced by a sweet basil syrup. It’s a perfect dessert for picnics on hot summer days Italians almost always end a meal with fruit. Desserts tend to be saved for special occasions. Normally for a picnic, the custom is to bring a piece of fruit, often a watermelon, which […]
Learn to make a perfect Italian panna cotta with this step-by-step recipe. Serve with a sweet strawberry topping for extra indulgence! All images © Mario Matassa Jump to recipe In Italy, panna cotta, like tiramisù, zabaglione and budino, falls within that category of dessert known as dolci al cucchiaio – desserts that are to be […]
If you’re in the unlikely position of having leftover panettone, this pudding recipe is a delicious way to use it up… Whether it’s a ciambella on the sideboard for the grandchildren after school, or a pandoro or panettone to enjoy over the Christmas season, you will almost always find a slice of cake to hand […]
Torta mimosa is a classic Women’s Day cake, made to imitate yellow mimosa flowers – it is served across Italy to celebrate La Festa della Donna. The 8th of March is the day when women across Italy hang up their aprons, put on their best frocks, and walk out the door – leaving us poor […]