Pinzimonio!

Pinzimonio vegetable selection with dips

Use fresh, seasonal vegetables to make this Pinzimonio starter a summertime stunner… You could barely call this a recipe, pinzimonio is more of an ensemble. Yet, it is a dish widely enjoyed in Italy, especially at the height of summer when vegetables are at their best. The joy of this dish is in the selection. […]

Italian word for the week: Passeggiata

Couple walking in plaza in Siena with gelato

Learn the root and meaning of the Italian word ‘passeggiata’, and how the locals really use it… The Italian word ‘Passeggiata’ (from passo – to step, or pace) literally means ‘a walk’. As a verb, ‘to walk’, we use ‘passeggiare’. Present, past, and future tense: Oggi passaggio nel parco. Today, I walk in the park. […]

No Fuss Strawberry Ice Cream

strawberry ice cream

Gelato alla fragola velocissima Mario Matassa was given this strawberry ice cream recipe years back at the restaurant by a fellow chef when sparks started shooting from the back of the ice cream machine, which is not supposed to happen. The problem with most recipes for homemade ice cream made without the benefit of a […]

Bergamo travel guide: Places to visit, eat, and stay in Bergamo

Basilica si Santa Maria Bergamo travel guide

Discover the best things to do in Bergamo, and where to stay and eat while you’re there in our Bergamo travel guide… What to see and do in Bergamo Explore the Basilica Piazza Duomo Building of the Basilica began in 1137, after the people of Bergamo were spared from the plague. The stunning wooden marquetr […]

48 hours in Bergamo

bergamo citta alta and its towers at sunset

Rachael Martin visits Bergamo, one of Italy’s two Capitals of Culture for 2023, a gem of a city in the heart of Lombardy Even as you approach Bergamo and first see it from a distance, you can already sense that you’re in for something special. The name Bergamo – or Bèrghem as the locals call […]

Italian word for the week: Abbiocco

couple experiencing 'abbiocco' after big meal

In Italy, food is at the heart and soul of every gathering, and sharing a meal with loved ones is an art form. But how can you describe the feeling afterwards? This word will help… Picture this: you’ve just devoured a hearty, Italian meal that leaves you feeling as lazy and content as a cat […]

Truffle Hunting in Le Langhe

White truffles arranged on a pillow with wine and a shaver. a Piedmont landmark can be seen in the background

Kate Wickers goes to Le Langhe in search of the elusive truffle On a mauve-smeared morning in the wine-producing Langhe Hills of Piedmont, where soft grey mists hang in vine-strung valleys, I’m striking out into woods with a young female trifulau (truffle hunter), Marta Menegaldo, and her Lagotto Romagnolo pup, Luna. With the snap of […]

5 foodie reasons to visit Venice

Bite-size snacks with wine glasses

Venice is well-loved for its amazing architecture and winding canals. But if that’s not enough, here are five fabulous foods and drinks that will convince you to visit Venice… 5 foodie reasons to visit Venice: 1. To feast on risi e bisi If you visit Venice in the springtime, one dish not to miss is risi […]

Fruit salad with Italian Chantilly cream

Fruit salad with cream

Macedonia con crema chantilly all’italiana Over the summer, it pays to take advantage of the wonderful supply of fresh seasonal fruits. One of my favourite desserts has always been a simple bowl of fresh strawberries with a generous dollop of Chantilly cream. But I also love Italian crema pasticcera (their version of custard, you could […]

Seafood Soup

seafood soup in bowl

Zuppa di pesce There’s something about fish soup that gives it the ‘wow’ factor. The key is good quality fresh fish and adding them according to their respective cooking times. One of the sheer joys of this dish is that not only does it look spectacular but it’s a dish you can dig in and […]