Categories
Italian Mediterranean Soups Starters Vegetarian

Italian pea and basil soup

Method: This is such an easy soup to make. The basil gives it a lovely pungent flavour but you could also use mint to give a fresher flavour. Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a large pan and add the onion, celery, carrot and garlic. Cover and cook over a low heat, stirring […]

Categories
Indian Soups Vegetarian

Spiced chickpea and vegetable soup

Method: A warming and heathy soup, great for lunch. In a large pan, gently fry the onion in some oil for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly, until soft and starting to caramelise. Add the garlic, ginger and spices and fry for a further 5 minutes. Next, add the stock and vegetables along with some salt […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Pasta with tomatoes, butter beans and ricotta

Method: Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water until al dente. Heat 1-2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and add the pancetta. Fry over a medium heat, stirring until crispy. Add the garlic and chilli and fry gently for a few minutes. Next, add the butter beans and fry, […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Ravioli fillings Starters Vegetarian

Ravioli with walnut sauce

First make the walnut sauce: The walnuts need to be shelled which is quite painstaking but necessary to remove the bitter flavour. There are two ways to shell them: 1. Cover them with boiling water, leave to stand for 3 minutes and drain. Rub in a clean tea towel which will remove some of the […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Salads Vegetarian

Roasted Cherry Tomato and Rocket Salad

Preheat the oven to 190C.  Arrange the halved tomatoes cut side up in a roasting tin, drizzle 2 tablspoons of the oil over them and sprinkle with the garlic and salt and pepper. Roast in the oven for 20 mins turning once. Cook the pasta until al dente. Put remaining oil in a large bowl […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Tomato and butter spaghetti

This recipe was cooked for us by our good friend Marino Benedetti who owns a hotel in Malcesine, Lake Garda. It is a great quick lunch or tea dish. Tip the tomatoes into a small saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer quite rapidly until well reduced – it should almost become a thick, tomato […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Tortellini with potato and mint

Make the pasta: Sieve the flour into a food processor and add the eggs, egg yolks, salt and oil. Pulse the mixture until it looks like fine breadcrumbs then mix on a higher speed until it starts to come together. If it looks too dry, add another egg yolk. Dust a clean worksurface with flour […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Pasta al cartoccio

Cut 2 pieces of parchment paper, each about 30 x 20cm. Heat the oil in a pan over a medium heat, toss in the garlic and saute for 2 mins. Fish out the garlic, then tip in the tomatoes and chilli and season. Simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 180C. […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Pasta with chickpeas

This is a cross between a hearty soup and a main meal.  Put the finely chopped onion, celery and garlic into a saucepan with a little olive oil and the rosemary (if using) and cook as gently as possible, with the lid on, for about 15-20 mins, until the veg is soft, but not browned. […]

Categories
Italian Main course Pasta Vegetarian

Pasta pantesca

Put the tomatoes under a hot grill until they become soft but not brown.  Skin them if desired then set aside. Blanch the almonds in boiling water for 2 mins, peel off skins and chop coarsely.  Chop the grilled tomatoes and put in a bowl with garlic, chilli, almonds, parsley, salt and olive oil.  Mix […]