The start of summer means one thing – it’s barbecue time! This month Mario Matassa shares some classic Italian recipes for la grigliata Barbecue food photos by Mario Matassa Nothing stirs the appetite quite like the aroma of a good barbecue on a summer’s evening. Italians first take to their grills from late June and […]
Adrian Mourby shares some of his favourite places to eat in Puglia, plus places to stay with a focus on local gastronomy… Puglia photos by Kate Tadman Mourby Where to eat Gran Bar Pugliese This superb café and fish restaurant sits on an old harbourside just 15 minutes from Bari Airport. Ideal for a first […]
Sara Scarpa shares her tips for taking in Venice’s gastronomic highlights like a local, and finding the very best places to eat and drink in the city… Photos by Iain Reid In her article Giro d’ombre: a cicchetti and wine tour of Venice Sara Scarpa shares the Venetian version of the pub crawl with us. This […]
Sara Scarpa loves the tradition of the Venetian pub crawl, and here she shares some of her favourite venues for great wine and authentic cicchetti… Photos by Iain Reid Antica Osteria Ruga Rialto (left) Located off the same main calle, just a few metres along on the way to San Polo, this is an historical osteria […]
The Giro d’ombre is the Venetian equivalent of a pub crawl. Needless to say, this being Italy, there is plenty of food to enjoy along the way. Venice native Sara Scarpa is your guide… Photos by Iain Reid We were standing at the bar enjoying a plate filled with some baccalà mantecato (dried salt […]
Mario Matassa shares a tempting Italian fruit salad recipe – this macedonia con sciroppo al basilico is a perfect dessert for hot summer days Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 500ml water • 100g caster sugar • a handful of fresh basil leaves • 250g fresh strawberries, washed, chopped • […]
In Italy sweet muffins are usually made as a treat for children but they also make an excellent picnic food, says Mario Matassa Makes about 20 Preparation time 10 minutes plus cooling Cooking time 10-15 minutes Ingredients: • 1 large free-range egg, beaten • 125ml plain Greek-style yoghurt • 125ml whole milk • 200g self-raising flour […]
Make an Italian-inspired rice salad with this simple recipe by Mario Matassa – perfect for summer dining or a light lunch Serves 6 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 10-12 minutes Ingredients: • 300g rice • 4 artichoke heads, chopped • 10-12 black olives, pitted, chopped • 10 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped • 2 medium carrots, peeled, […]
Give your summer dining an Italian twist with Mario Matassa’s delicious sandwich, which is bursting with glorious Mediterranean flavours Serves 4 Preparation time 5 minutes (more for the peppers) Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 2 skinned and roasted peppers (one red and one yellow) • 1 large aubergine • 2 courgettes • olive oil • […]
Mario Matassa’s recipe for this petto di pollo con impanati al prezzemolo, pinoli e parmigiano is a perfect light main course or picnic addition Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 6-8 minutes Ingredients: • 2 large chicken breasts • 1 small free-range egg • 6-8 tbsp fine breadcrumbs • 1 heaped tsp dried flat-leaf […]