Early summer vegetables such as beans and courgettes are joined this month by a variety of fruits and fish as the year’s main harvest really begins come in… Apricots – albicocche In the peak of its season during the summer, the apricot, with its peach-like tang and pale orange skin, is a flavoursome, colourful ingredient to add […]
Summer in Rome can be a sweltering affair, so here at Italia! we believe that ice cream is necessity. Lorenza Bacino and Michela Di Carlo seek out the best ice cream parlours in the city to ensure you enjoy the sights despite the heat. San Crispino Pasquale and Giuseppe Alongi and Paola Nesci have been […]
Olive oil is an essential ingredient in every Italian kitchen, so this month we put seven golden samples of extra-virgin olive oil under the Italia! taste team spotlight… Extra-virgin olive oil is one of the most important ingredients in the Mediterranean diet. It is renowned for its health-giving properties, being low in unsaturated fat and […]
These cheese and parma ham twists from Lakeland are the perfect snack! Ingredients: 225g plain flour Pinch salt 50g butter, cubed 50g lard, cubed 150g Parmesan cheese, grated 30ml cold water 1 egg, beaten 8 slices Parma ham Method: Preheat the oven to 180°C/Gas 4 and line 2 baking sheets with non-stick liner. Combine the flour […]
These Frittelle di fiori di sambuco are a delicious summery snack! Ingredients: 10 elderflower flower heads 100g plain flour a pinch of salt 150ml light beer or lager 1 medium free-range egg groundnut or sunflower oil, for frying a few spoonfuls of runny honey Method: Be sure you know the difference between elderflower and cow parsley… […]
By now summer is in full swing and there is no shortage of interesting ingredients to try in your dishes. Vegetables, fruit, herbs and edible flowers are all in good supply… Strawberries – Fragole The ultimate symbol of British summertime, these juicy red fruits are equally cherished by the Italians, and thankfully have quite a […]
This Piadina con fave is a beautiful way of using up delicious broad beans whilst they are in season. Ingredients: 1kg broad beans, in pods 1 small bunch of spring onions, trimmed, finely chopped 100g Quartirolo Lombardo cheese 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil flat breads, for serving salt and freshly ground black pepper Method: Pod the beans […]
These Risotto Stuffed Tomatoes by Lakeland are the perfect summer starter! Ingredients: 6 large salad tomatoes 25g risotto rice 2 tsp olive oil 1 spring onion, finely sliced 25g courgette, roughly chopped 25g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 125ml vegetable stock ½ tsp dried mixed Italian herbs 4 fresh basil leaves 2 tsp Parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), […]
This pasta dish by Lakeland is just what is needed for a tasty meal. Ingredients: For the pasta: 160g ‘00’ flour, plus extra to dust 240g fine semolina 5 eggs For the filling: 600g cooked spinach, squeezed as dry as possible and finely chopped 600g ricotta cheese Pinch freshly grated nutmeg 1 egg yolk Salt and […]
Perfect for a laid-back weekend lunch, this impressive tart by Lakeland gives maximum flavour from minimum effort. Ingredients: 500g baby plum or cherry tomatoes 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 1 tbsp olive oil 1 sheet ready-made puff pastry 2 tbsp pesto 55g pitted black olives 360g ricotta cheese Method: Preheat the oven to 220ºC/425ºF. In a […]