Loving Romagna – Cooking with Nonna Violante – Hotel Eliseo Part 1
I fall in love often, possibly more often than I should but it's normally with a newly discovered cheese or a new shape of pasta that I have eaten. I am incredibly easy to please as you can tell, however I am full of passion. A passion for Italy and [...]
Buratta – From Puglia, Italia!
Burrata, still sends me a little weak at the knees, even though it has been around for over 100 years. An artisan cheese originating from the beautiful region of Puglia in the South of Italy. Made using cows milk, the outside is a mozzarella and is filled delicately with a [...]
Lisa McGuigan Wine – UK Launch
I was recently invited to the UK launch of a fabulous range of wines from one of the most passionate ladies I have ever had the pleasure to meet 'Lisa McGuigan'. From an aromatic Chardonnay to a ruby Cabernet Shiraz, fruit Chardonnay and a Shiraz that would make the perfect [...]
Simply Good Food TV
Things really seem to be taking off at the moment. I have nervously just sent off my second book proposal and am hoping to secure a second book deal with 'A Passion for Pasta'. A little more excitement too. I will be hosting an Italian cookery series with Peter Sidwell [...]
Fennel bread.
A delicious and yet very simply recipe for one perfectly formed aromatic fennel loaf. I adore this bread with simple antipasti such as cured meats, olives and artichokes. Great for an level of baker.Preparation time: 15 minutes Proving time: 2 hours 30 minutes Cooking time: 30-35 minutesServes: 6-8300g strong white flour150g [...]
Deep fried calamari..
If you are looking for something quick, simple and incredibly tasty, then you've just found it, 'Bingo. The only problem you will have is, eating deep fried calamari is like sitting in the back row of the cinema with a tub of pop corn and your date! You forget about [...]
Nonna Carmela and Zia Maria….Inspirational ladies from an Italian kitchen.
I just wanted to share with you these two photos of two lovely ladies. Nonna Carmela here at the top making her cicatelli by hand and Zia Maria showcasing her pumpkin and sausage raviloi. This is passion, knowledge and a love of cooking and the reason why I chose to write [...]
Rustico – Nino Franco
Rustico- Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.GProsecco is an any time drink in my opinion. No special occasion required, I always say... 'Just because'. Chilled and poured with an air of sophistication and excitement. Over the last 12 months I have discovered Nino Franco, and to be honest am a little in [...]
Spizatello con piselli
The simplicity of this recipe will blow you away. Traditional cucina povera cooking, incredibly tasty, filling and delicious. Here is one of my versions of spizatello, this time using peas from the freezer instead of 'Escarole'. However, if peas are in season then get podding. A little work and preparation [...]
Bonne Maman – Madeleine Charlotte Cake with Eric Lanlard
Madeleine's are French of course, however who knew these voluptuous pillows of temptation were so versatile. They are not just to be eaten in copious amounts of simply dipped in Marsala, but they can be used as a base for so many sweet indulgent treats. I was invited to a [...]
Filled baby peppers – Southern Italian Family Cooking by Carmela Sophia Sereno
Now theses voluptuous beauties are simply delicious. If I cook for friends, I will always make a tray load of these baby filled peppers. The only reason I make them so often is because I absolutely love them, a little too much in fact. As they are so small they [...]
Southern Italian Family Cooking, by Carmela Sophia Sereno
Last Friday evening was the book launch for my newly published deliciously mouthwatering Italian cookery book 'Southern Italian Family Cooking'. The venue for the launch was my local Italian deli, 'The Italian Shop, where I work closely with Adriana Staniscia the owner. I teach at the shop most Friday evenings [...]