Categories
Italian Pork Soups Starters

Tuscan bean soup

Ingredients: 125g Pancetta, chopped 2 Cloves garlic 1 Onion, chopped 2 Stalks celery, de-stringed and finely chopped 1 Tin plum or chopped tomatoes 1 Litre chicken stock 2 Tins of beans (borlotti, cannellini etc), drained and rinsed A sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped A handful of fresh basil Method: In a large pan, fry the […]

Categories
Italian Pork Starters

Italian sausage rolls

Ingredients: 8 large Cumberland sausages, skins removed 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 sun-dried tomatoes, finely chopped 3-4 sage leaves, finely chopped 3 tbsp parsley, chopped 500g puff pastry 1 medium egg, lightly beaten 25g parmesan, finely grated Method: 1. Place the sausagemeat in a bowl with the onion, sun-dried tomatoes, sage, parsley, a pinch […]

Categories
Italian Soups Starters Vegetarian

Italian vegetable soup (zuppa di verdure)

Ingredients: 1 Large white onion, chopped 3 Medium sized potatoes, peeled and chopped 3 Medium sized carrots, chopped 2 Sticks celery (white middle bits), chopped 1 Fennel bulb, chopped 2 Cloves garlic, chopped 2 Courgettes, chopped 1 Red pepper, chopped 1 Litre vegetable stock Extra virgin olive oil Maldon sea salt and black pepper Garnish […]

Categories
Italian Soups Starters Vegetarian

Jerusalem artichoke soup

Ingredients: 600g Jerusalem artichokes 2 Leeks, thinly sliced 2 tbsp Olive oil 100ml White wine 600ml Chicken or vegetarian stock Salt and white pepper 150ml Double cream (or full fat milk) Juice of half a lemon Small handful chopped parsley Method: Prepare the artichokes by peeling them.  Thinly slice them and leave in the acidulated […]

Categories
Bread/Cakes Fish Italian Starters

Mackerel crostini

Ingredients: 8 Mackerel fillets 6 Vine-ripened tomatoes Handful of parsley, chopped 12 Slices of ciabatta 1 Garlic clove, peeled Maldon sea salt and black pepper Good quality extra virgin olive oil 1 Lemon, cut into wedges Method: Preheat your grill to the highest setting. Grill the bread on both sides until lightly toasted. Rub each […]

Categories
Fish Italian Salads Starters

Smoked mackerel and cannellini bean salad

Ingredients: 1 small red onion, finely sliced 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar 6-8 ripe cherry or baby plum tomatoes, halved or quartered (1 x 400g) tin cannellini beans, drained and rinsed Small handful of parsley, chopped Juice of half a lemon Extra- virgin olive oil 150g-200g smoked mackerel, skinned and broken into chunks Salt and black […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Aglio, olio, peperoncino

Ingredients: 250g spaghetti 2 cloves garlic, chopped pinch of dried chilli flakes small handful chopped parsley (optional) Method: Cook the spaghetti in plenty salted water until al dente. Meanwhile, in a small frying pan pour in a good amount (about 4 tbsp) good extra virgin olive oil. While the oil is still cold, put in […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Orecchiette with broccoli, chilli and pine nuts

Ingredients: olive oil 150g broccoli, cut into small florets large clove of garlic, chopped 3 tbsp pine nuts 1 red chilli, chopped (can also use pinch of chilli flakes) splash of white wine a couple of fresh tomatoes, chopped 200g orecchiette fresh parsley, chopped parmesan cheese, grated to serve Method: Bring a large pan of […]

Categories
Chicken Italian Main course Pasta

Tagliatelle with chicken and blue cheese

Ingredients: 1 large chicken breast, cut into strips 1 small clove garlic, chopped 100ml white wine 150ml double cream 120g blue cheese (Dolcelatte is ideal), cut into cubes handful of parsley, chopped some grated parmesan 200g tagliatelle a small handful of toasted pine nuts to garnish Method: Proper comfort food but with a bit of […]

Categories
Italian Lamb Main course Pasta

Tagliatelle with lamb and rosemary

Ingredients: olive oil 200g lamb mince 1 carrot, cut into small dice 2 cloves garlic, chopped about a tsp of finely chopped fresh rosemary 100ml white wine 4-6 cherry tomatoes, halved salt and pepper 200g tagliatelle parmesan to serve Method: Heat the olive oil in a casserole pan and brown the mince, breaking up any […]