From local delicacies to some of Italy’s finest wines, discover our top five reasons to visit Lecce… 1. Puglian olive oil At the heart of Lecce’s cuisine lies the region’s olive oil. Puglia produces around one-third of Italy’s total olive oil exports and the oil is also a staple ingredient in many of Lecce’s traditional […]
Use the best possible ingredients in this simple cialledda recipe for a flavourful Pulgliese tomato and bread salad Words and photo © Mario Matassa I was searching for a salad to make with fresh, seasonal tomatoes and my friend Enrico from Tuscany said that the obvious choice was panzanella, the Tuscan bread salad. Stefano, my […]
Take a sip of Italy’s coffee culture as you enjoy our pick of Italian ground coffee to suit every palate It’s no secret that Italians love their coffee. In coffee bars right across Italy, locals only drink milky variations such as cappuccino for breakfast (and never after 11 am), while espresso is drunk standing at […]
Enjoy a fusion of Italian flavours with this caprese salad omelette recipe by Mario Matassa… Words & photo © Mario Matassa This dish brings the classic caprese salad into the comfort of a fluffy omelette, creating a perfect blend of freshness and warmth. The rich, creamy texture of mozzarella di buffalo contrasts with the juicy […]
This Piacentine green parsley sauce is a great accompaniment to a variety of meals. Learn to make it with Mario Matassa’s recipe… Words & photo © Mario Matassa The parsley sauce is a local speciality here in the province of Piacenza. It’s usually made in bulk, jarred and stored. It’s commonly served with boiled meats, […]
Long summer evenings and sunny days mean getting together with friends and family – here’s our pick of Italian summer drinks that everyone can enjoy… Getting together in the summer – whether it’s an event you’ve been planning for ages, or an impromptu gathering on a warm evening – is an occasion to be savoured. […]
This simple Neapolitan pasta dish gets its rich, creamy texture from free-range eggs and pecorino cheese. Mario Matassa shares his recipe… When choosing a pasta recipe to make with eggs, I had toyed with the idea of a carbonara, but opted instead for an even simpler Neapolitan version, cas’ e ova in the local dialect […]
Eggs aren’t just for Easter. With this all-day Italian breakfast recipe you can enjoy the humble uovo all day – and all year – long… Recipe, words and photo by Mario Matassa This Italian breakfast recipe hails back to Mario Matassa’s childhood in Ireland, inspired by a humble but filling plate of bacon, egg, and chips. […]
From fabulous focaccia to fresh fish dishes, discover five foodie reasons to visit Liguria’s capital, Genoa… The capital of Liguria, Genoa has a lot more to offer than ports and palaces. Discover the unmissable delicacies for any foodie in Genoa. 1. Pesto genovese Starting with the most obvious, Genoa is, of course, famous for its […]
Rice will always be considered an essential store cupboard ingredient in every Italian household, and this recipe for rice pudding with almonds and raisins demonstrates why… For all intents and purposes, this dessert sits somewhere between a crème brûlée and a classic rice pudding, with an Italian flavour. It’s comfort food at its very best […]