Tortelli con la coda Tortelli filled with ricotta and spinach are made throughout Emilia-Romagna and are formed into different shapes according to where you happen to be in the region. Here in Piacenza, I have to say, tortelli con la coda – literally tortelli with the tail – is arguably the most eye-catching variation. But […]
Acciughe panate croccanti In Italy, fresh anchovies and small sardines are greatly prized. Both fish belong to the category of ‘blue fish’ and have a strong flavour and a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. The good news for the cook is that they are so small that you don’t need to remove the spinal […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]