Mario Matassa explains the Italian passion for game and hunting. He braves the cold winter elements to search for his ingredients, then shows us how to transform them into hearty, warming recipes Photos by Mario Matassa Roberto Bassini taught me how to hunt, and the first time we went out I was plagued with conflicting […]
Chestnuts and chocolate are a winning combination in this delicious torta di castagne e cioccolato recipe… Chestnut flour is a great gluten-free alternative, giving cakes and biscuits a delicious nutty background flavour; and in many European countries, such as Italy, France and Spain, chestnut spread or jam is found slathered on bread and croissants at the […]
Milan has something to offer the visitor at all times of the year, but Rachael Martin finds its café culture particularly appealing in the lead-up to Christmas… Photos by Rachael Martin unless otherwise stated It’s late afternoon along Corso Magenta. The streetlights have come on, and the orange Carrelli trams wind their way through the […]
If you’re seeking some authentic flavours to pep up your favourite recipes, try some of these quintessentially Italian store cupboard spices and condiments For some, a plate of food is nothing without lashings of ketchup or mustard, for others the secret is all in the mix of ingredients with an added pinch or two of […]
Green spinach pasta is probably the most popular and widely used flavoured pasta and this lasagne from Mario Matassa is a great way to showcase its charms… Serves 4 Preparation time 45 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 350g plain flour • 3 medium free-range eggs • 100g fresh spinach For the sauce • 500ml […]
Cuttlefish (seppia) is very popular in Italian cuisine and its ink can be bought in small packets in supermarkets or Italian speciality stores – here’s a great recipe to showcase its flavour Serves 4 Preparation time 45 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 400g plain flour • 4 medium free-range eggs • 1 sachet of cuttlefish ink […]
Love pasta? Adore chocolate? It turns out that the two can be deliciously combined – Mario Matassa shows us how in this meaty recipe that’s bursting with flavour Serves 4 Preparation time 50 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 2 hours 45 minutes Ingredients: • 400g plain flour • 4 medium free-range eggs • 1 tbsp bitter cocoa powder For […]
Give pasta a glorious colour and add a Mediterranean kick to the flavour using tomato purée… Mario Matassa’s spaghetti recipe shows you how! Serves 4 Preparation time 40 minutes, plus resting Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 400g plain flour, plus a few extra tablespoons if necessary • 4 medium free-range eggs • 1 tbsp tomato purée […]
In this instalment of his series uncovering the secrets of Italian food, Mario Matassa turns his attention to pasta. Read on for a lesson in how you can make the perfect fresh egg pasta too… Photos by Mario Matassa Someone once asked me if it was possible to say that a food is simpatico. This […]
Are you looking to raise your culinary skills to the next level? Michela Di Carlo gets a flavour of what’s on offer at some of Italy’s top-rated professional cookery schools 1. Parma, Emilia-Romagna The International School of Italian Cuisine (ALMA) is the brainchild of the renowned Milanese chef Gualtiero Marchesi. It’s been the world’s leading […]