This recipe for ‘verdure piccante’ is an excellent way of using up surplus summer vegetables. Recipe and image by Mario Matassa Makes 4 x 500g jars Preparation time 20 minutes, plus overnight drying Cooking time 5 minutes, plus sterilising Ingredients: • 2kg mixed vegetables, including aubergines, courgettes, sweet red and yellow peppers, red onions, etc • 1 […]
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 shares his technique for cooking squid (calamari) on the barbecue – a real showstopper for seafood lovers Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Barbecuing time 3 minutes Ingredients: • 1-2 fresh hot red chillies (depending on how hot you like it) • 1 tbsp sun-dried tomato paste • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • juice […]
Mario Matassa shares a recipe for grilled vegetables with couscous (couscous con verdure grigliate) – a perfect complement to any barbecue Serves 4-6 Preparation time 10 minutes Barbecuing time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 2 courgettes, sliced lengthways • 1 red pepper, core and seeds removed, sliced • 1 yellow pepper, core and seeds removed, sliced • […]
Mario Matassa’s radicchio recipe makes for an excellent contorno or part of a main of mixed roasted vegetables… Serves 2 Preparation time 1 minutes Barbecuing time 5 minutes Ingredients: • 2 heads of Treviso radicchio • 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tbsp lemon juice • salt and freshly ground black pepper Instructions: 1 Cut the radicchio […]
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 […]
Meatballs (polpettine) are generally fried in a pan, but they can also work on the grill if you ensure that they remain moist, says Mario Matassa Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Barbecuing time 15 minutes Ingredients: • 2 thick slices of day-old rustic bread • 100ml milk • 400g turkey breast mince • 4 limes […]
Mario Matassa shares a tempting Italian fruit salad recipe – this macedonia con sciroppo al basilico is a perfect dessert for hot summer days Serves 4 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 10 minutes Ingredients: • 500ml water • 100g caster sugar • a handful of fresh basil leaves • 250g fresh strawberries, washed, chopped • […]
In Italy sweet muffins are usually made as a treat for children but they also make an excellent picnic food, says Mario Matassa Makes about 20 Preparation time 10 minutes plus cooling Cooking time 10-15 minutes Ingredients: • 1 large free-range egg, beaten • 125ml plain Greek-style yoghurt • 125ml whole milk • 200g self-raising flour […]
Make an Italian-inspired rice salad with this simple recipe by Mario Matassa – perfect for summer dining or a light lunch Serves 6 Preparation time 15 minutes Cooking time 10-12 minutes Ingredients: • 300g rice • 4 artichoke heads, chopped • 10-12 black olives, pitted, chopped • 10 sun-dried tomatoes, chopped • 2 medium carrots, peeled, […]