Carrot Gnocchi

Carrot gnocchi is something that has intrigued me for a while. Basically instead of potatoes, like for the classic gnocchi recipe, you use carrots instead.. and quite of few of them. The result is a gnocchi with a delicate flavour, a little sweet and actually something more like a pasta rather than gnocchi as the…

Meatballs with parsley, rosemary and parmesan – easy recipe

The kids were over the moon today when I announced that lunch was going to be meatballs. I guess I have not make them in a while. To my classic meatballs recipe I have added rosemary and lemon zest for a more perfumed taste. When I make them I usually do what my mum usually…

Zucchini lasagna with ricotta and tomato sauce without pasta

Lasagna is one of those fabulous Italian dishes which can bring the whole family together. A good homemade lasagna is hard to resist. My favourite one is lasagna with asparagus and ham that my mum makes and then the classic meat lasagna of course. If I am having people around for dinner it is easy…

Asparagus with olive oil, lemon and parmesan – The Italian way!

Asparagus are in season now in the UK.  In Northern Italy they are available during late March/ beginning of April and as soon as they come in season Italians make the most of them. People love them so much that there are dedicated asparagus festivals too. Growing up in Italy we used to have them…

Parmesan and olives savoury biscuits, great as party food!

The longest night of the year is nearly here! I have always loved new year’s eve celebrations. In Italy people stay up until the morning to wait for the new year and eat and drink almost non-stop for several hours…of course this is what I will be doing together with both my sisters and respective husbands. There…

Giovanni Rana new Pesto and creamy Parmesan sauces

Supermarkets stock lots of different pasta sauces but so many of them are far too industrial and have hardly any taste. I have tried a few but they leave you with a somewhat metallic taste in your mouth. I usually make my own sauces but there are days when I have no time on my…

Puff pastry Christmas trees, ideal for parties

It’s party season! I am digging all my sparkly jumpers and dresses from my wardrobes and putting on sparkly make up too. I seriously feel in a party mood this year. Over the weekend I went to a friend’s Christmas party: the food was amazing, she made lots of mini appetizers, pizza, mini cakes including…

Baked polenta chips with parmesan…crunchy outside and soft inside!

Polenta chips! Great for dipping into sauces or just to be enjoyed on their own as an appetizer and they are not fried. I have added some grated parmesan and some nuts for a crunchier bite! First you make polenta and this time I have used quick-cook polenta, add the parmesan, the chopped nuts and…

Eggplant veggie burger: simple, healthy and delicious!

Italians don’t really have as many burgers as they do in the UK or in America but.. yes they do like a good quality burger from time to time. When I go to my butcher and I ask for a burger I usually mean just pressed mince without any salt and pepper added and then…

Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe

Can you ever say no to eggplant parmigiana? No you can’t if you like eggplant of course. Eggplants are in season during summertime so there cannot be a better time to make this beautiful…wonderful classic Italian dish. My daughter is totally obsessed with it and as soon as she saw grandad’s eggplants in the field…