Mario Matassa’s recipe for sardines includes sultanas and pine nuts. You’ll have to remove the fish’s head but don’t be too fastidious about the bones. Just take out the main spinal bone and the larger bones will follow Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 5-7 minutes Ingredients: • 2 slices of fresh white bread • 50g […]
The variations of recipes for sea bream (orata) are countless, depending on where in Italy you happen to be. Mario Matassa’s – baked in an oven with potatoes – is a classic version… Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 20-25 minutes Ingredients: • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced wafer […]
Fancy making a real saffron risotto (risotto alla milanese)? Mario Matassa shows us how. Remember that it should be creamy and soft, and each grain of rice should be separate but joined together by the sauce. Buonissimo! Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time none Ingredients: • 50g unsalted butter • 30g beef marrow • 2 tbsp […]
The mozzarella, tomato and basil salad (or insalate caprese) is an Italian classic – the secret to its success lies in its simplicity and the quality of the ingredients used. Mario Matassa shares the recipe for this iconic dish… Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time none Ingredients: • 2 large ripe tomatoes • 200g […]
Known as ‘costoletta alla milanese‘ in Italian, the Milanese veal cutlet is a great one to master properly. Mario Matassa’s recipe will help you to create a truly authentic version of this historic dish… Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: • 4 veal chops on the bone • 2 free-range eggs […]
Think you know how to make bolognese? Think again! Mario Matassa explains how to make this popular dish properly… a lengthy cooking time makes it ideal for a leisurely Sunday lunch… Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 2 hours 20 minutes Ingredients: • 150g pancetta, chopped • 50g carrot, peeled, finely chopped • 50g celery, […]
Mario Matassa guides us through the recipe for a truly authentic spaghetti carbonara… it’s both simple and delicious. Get set to cook like an Italian! Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: • 150g guanciale or pancetta, cubed • 2 free-range eggs • 30g pecorino cheese, grated • Salt and freshly ground black pepper […]
This asparagus bruschetta is great way to get in two of your five a day. With fresh green veg and creamy cheese, it’s a pretty and flavoursome dish that’s ideal for summer entertaining Makes 4 (serves 4 as a starter or snack) Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 10 mins Ingredients: 300g podded and […]
This classic Tuscan bread and tomato salad gets a summery twist, thanks to the addition of fresh Romaine lettuce. It’s a perfect dish for al fresco dining in the sunshine! Serves 2 Preparation time: 10 mins Cooking time: 20 mins Ingredients: 4 slices stale ciabatta 300g ripe tomatoes, any type you have ¼ red […]
Serve this classic Italian seafood pasta in hot bowls and finish with a sprinkling of chopped herbs – a perfect midweek meal for any time of year Serves 4 Preparation time 15 mins Cooking time 10 mins Ingredients: 800g fresh clams (discard any open ones) 12 whole shallots, finely chopped 75g butter 2 cloves of […]