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 […]
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 […]
This savoury bread cake with tomatoes is just perfect for al fresco dining. Mario Matassa shows us how to make this tasty torta… Serves 6 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 40 minutes Ingredients: • 250g stale rustic-type bread • 500ml whole milk • 250g fresh ricotta • 2 medium free-range eggs, beaten • 200g smoked […]
The summer picnic is a much anticipated event on every Italian’s culinary calendar, so Mario Matassa shows us how to prepare for the occasion in style Picnic food photos by Mario Matassa First, the picnic needs to be distinguished from the pranzo al sacco (packed lunch). The packed lunch is what Italians do when they […]
A celebration in Italy usually involves sharing a feast with family and friends, and here Mario Matassa has put together a menu to suit any special occasion Photos by Mario Matassa In Italy it would be unthinkable to have a celebration without food. Whether it’s a baptism, birthday party, graduation, wedding or anniversary, Christmas, New […]