Live and learn Italian in Agnone

Learn Italian in Agnone: Finding out about local life on an evening walk

Karen Jensen-Jones jumps into life in Agnone in the heart of Molise to brush up on her Italian language skills and experience a slice of authentic Italian life. In Maria and Giuseppe’s rustic garden in the ancient hilltop town of Agnone, homemade digestivo di clementino and delicious sour cherry torta were generously offered to our […]

Italian Word for the Week: “Sfogarsi”

WOman walking in nature to let off steam - "Sfogarsi"

In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, it’s important to find healthy ways to cope with difficult emotions. One such way is through “sfogarsi”, an Italian word that describes the act of releasing pent-up feelings… Sfogarsi, meaning ‘let off steam’/’vent’. The Italian word “sfogarsi” comes from the verb “sfogare“, which is derived from the prefix “s-” […]

Linguine with Smoked Salmon

Linguine with smoked salmon

Linguine al salmone affumicato Pasta is one of the most versatile ingredients in that you can conjure a sauce or topping from practically any ingredient. At Christmas, one often finds an opened pack of salmon lingering in the fridge, and this recipe by Mario Matassa is ideal for a simple and tasty evening meal. Any […]

Living in Veneto

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Jewel-like cities, golden beaches, sleepy hills and dramatic mountains – this sophisticated northern region has it all. From elegant urban apartments to low-priced rustic retreats, Veneto is a great place to buy property, says Fleur Kinson.   Tucked up in the northeastern corner of Italy, Veneto encompasses an extraordinary array of landscapes. The region’s feet […]

Nonna’s Classic Ciambella

ciambella ring cake recipe

Ciambella della nonna The classic ciambella, like the crostata or the torta di frutta, is a simple country cake for which every grandmother in Italy has her own recipe. They are often known as torte di credenza (sideboard cakes), because they are dry cakes made without cream and therefore keep well without refrigeration. As a […]

Stuffed baked courgettes

Stuffed baked courgettes

Zucchine ripiene al forno Courgettes are perfectly suited in the kitchen as a vehicle for stuffing and roasting in the oven. The mixture of beef with onion, parmesan and chopped parsley used in this recipe by Mario Matassa is a classic all-round stuffing mix. Other vegetables that would be equally suited to this recipe include […]

Creamy gorgonzola and walnut risotto

Creamy gorgonzola and walnut risotto

Risotto al gorgonzola e noci cremoso Gorgonzola is a soft cheese with a blue-green mould running through it. It is made in the regions of both Piedmont and Lombardy and is a wonderful all-round cheese – very versatile in the kitchen. It can be served on its own, with just some crusty bread and fruit, […]

Portoferraio Travel Guide

Portoferraio Elba Map © Google

Your guide to travelling in Portoferraio, Elba… What to see and do ACQUA DELL’ELBA Acqua dell’Elba, the island’s perfumer, creates fragrances based on Elba’s scents and colours, from deep blue to turquoise. The business does a lot to sponsor the arts and the environment in Elba. ELBA WINE ROAD The Costa degli Etruschi wine and […]

48 hours in Portoferraio

Portoferraio Harbour

Spending a weekend in Elba’s capital Portoferraio is the best introduction to the island, says Jane Gifford Mythology has it that Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty and love, was visiting one of her many lovers on the Italian mainland when she accidentally broke her string of pearls, and in doing so formed the Tuscan […]

Walnut and Chocolate Tiramisù

Walnut Tiramisu Recipe

Tiramisù con noci e cioccolatto Mario Matassa shares his recipe for this uplifting dessert that can be made with leftover cake! ➤ SERVES 4 ➤ PREPARATION 15 minutes ➤ SETTING 3 hours in the fridge This classic Italian dessert is served in most households in Italy some time over the festive season. Usually it is made with a […]