For hearty comfort food with an Italian twist, this purè di patate recipe from Mario Matassa is a sure-fire winner… Serves 6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 1 celery stalk, finely diced • 1 small carrot, peeled, finely diced • 1 tbsp olive oil (you can use the oil from the […]
This creamy, dreamy salmon risotto from Mario Matassa makes a truly delicious midweek meal if you’re looking for something simple but indulgent Serves 6 Preparation time 5 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: • 2 tbsp olive oil • a bunch of spring onions, finely chopped • 300g risotto rice • 1 litre of light chicken […]
Mario Matassa brings us a fantastic Italian salad to enjoy on sunny days – light, flavoursome and with an interesting added ingredient… Serves 6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time none Ingredients: • 2 ripe but firm peaches • 200g buffalo mozzarella • a small handful of wild dandelion leaves • 6 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil […]
Sun-dried tomato and fennel seed pâté provides a delicious, distinctive flavour for these puff pastry ‘girelle’ by Mario Matassa – ideal snacks for entertaining Serves 6 Preparation time 15 minutes, plus chilling Cooking time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 1 small jar of sun-dried tomatoes in oil • 2 anchovy fillets • 1 garlic clove, peeled • 1 tsp fennel […]
Mario Matassa’s wonderful lonza di maiale ripiena di fave e pecorino (to give it its Italian name) is a perfect Sunday show-stopper… Serves 4-6 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 1 hour, 15 minutes Ingredients: • 1kg pork loin in one piece • 250g broad beans, with their tough outer skin removed • 200g mature pecorino cheese, finely […]
Take the easy route to cooking a quick supper with Italy’s favourite rice dish. Italia! looks at some of the ready-to-make risotto kits currently on the market Risotto is a quintessentially Italian dish originating in the north of the country. It remains especially popular in these northern regions – such as Piedmont and the Veneto […]
This torta ‘mimosa cake’ is covered with pieces of sponge cake, reminiscent of the flowers of the mimosa – it is served across Italy to celebrate La Festa della Donna By Mario Matassa Makes one 22cm cake Preparation time 20 minutes (plus chilling) Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: For the cake • 4 free-range eggs • 200g […]
This recipe for tacchino con zafferano e panna by Mario Matassa uses just a hint of saffron to give the dish its delicate yellow colour Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 750g turkey breast, cut into 2cm chunks • a few tablespoons of plain flour • a few tbsp of olive oil […]
Mario Matassa shares his ‘risotto mimosa’ recipe. The dish is a staple of Italy’s Festa della Donna in March… Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients: • 2 shallots, peeled, finely chopped • 320g risotto rice • 300g asparagus • 2 hard boiled free-range eggs • 1-1.5 litres of vegetable or chicken stock • […]
Mario Matassa takes a look at International Women’s Day. He revels in the mystery of the celebrations and presents some of the classic dishes… Photos by Mario Matassa The 8th of March is the day when women across Italy hang up their aprons, put on their best frocks, and walk out of the door – […]