For a festive centrepiece Italian-style you can’t go wrong with roast guinea fowl (faraona ripiena). Mario Matassa gives us the low-down… There are a number of ways to cook guinea fowl, but at Christmas a roast seems almost obligatory. The key to a good roast is to make sure you do not overcook. You might […]
In this recipe Mario Matassa has used chicken thighs, but if you prefer white meat, you can opt for whole chicken breast (just remember to keep the skin on) Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Barbecuing time 25 minutes Ingredients: • 8 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs • 8 tbsp grated Parmesan • 2 tbsp finely diced cooked ham […]
Mario Matassa’s sirloin steak with tomato, red onion and caper relish is sure to become a firm favourite recipe for your barbecue… Serves 2 Preparation time 10 minutes Barbecuing time 7-10 minutes Ingredients: • 1 large tomato, finely diced • 1 small red onion, peeled, finely diced • 1 tbsp capers • 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil […]
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 […]
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 […]
In Mario Matassa’s ‘brasato al Barolo‘ the meat is slow-cooked, which makes for mouth-wateringly tender meat, flavoured with this quality wine Serves 4-6 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 3 hours, 10 minutes Ingredients: • 1 onion, peeled, finely diced • 2 celery stalks, finely diced • 1 carrot, peeled, finely diced • olive oil • 1 […]
The key to this dish is finding the freshest liver possible, so make sure you go to a reputable butcher and order in advance. Recipe by Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 30 minutes Ingredients: • 4 tbsp olive oil • 300g deer livers, cleaned • 50ml dry white wine • 4 […]
Rabbit is a versatile meat that can be pan-fried, roasted or stewed. Remember that older rabbits will taste better after being marinated overnight and cooked slowly. Recipe by Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 20 minutes Cooking time 1 hour Ingredients: • 4 tbsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped • 1kg wild rabbit on […]
This recipe from Mario Matassa – ‘risotto con l’anatra‘ is a great way to make a couple of duck breasts stretch a long way… Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 35 minutes Ingredients: • olive oil • 1 small onion, peeled, finely chopped • 1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped • 1 celery stalk, finely chopped • […]
In Italy wild boar (cinghiale) tends to be cooked very slowly over a long period to avoid the meat becoming tough. Mario’s recipe is a tasty take on a classic dish Serves 4 Preparation time 10 minutes Cooking time 2 hours Ingredients: • 2 tbsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped • 500g wild boar […]