18 October 2017 || Pasta, Recipes
As the nights draw in and the temperature dips, it’s time to replace those summer salads with rich, warm comfort food. Adding Italian truffle to your dishes is the perfect way to add a dash of indulgence to your food this autumn and is easier to do than you think. Below is everything you need […]
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14 August 2017 || Recipes, Side dishes
Spicy Gorgonzola cheese is wonderful for cooking with and can be used in many recipes. It’s great for making sauces, which are ideal for pasta or rice dishes or tasty potato gnocchi. We love it too as a topping for salads or as in this recipe, potatoes. These crushed, spicy potatoes make a quick and […]
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17 April 2017 || Calabrian recipes, Eat your way around Italy, Main courses, Recipes
If you love chilli and foods that have a strong, meaty flavour then you absolutely MUST try one of the tastiest traditional treats from Calabria: Nduja This incredible, spicy salami is a typical Calabrian food and a really versatile ingredient to keep in your cupboard. Traditional Nduja: Some History Amongst all of the traditional foods […]
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6 March 2017 || Desserts, Recipes
Easter is coming and we can’t wait to eat our chocolate egg and a big slice of Italian Easter Colomba cake to celebrate! If you like to try something different there are some great recipes with Colomba Cake, so why not taste this traditional speciality and get baking in a creative, delicious way! 1) Colomba […]
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5 March 2017 || Antipasti, Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Pasta, Vegetarian
“La mamma è sempre la mamma”: ‘Mum is always Mum” so goes an Italian saying. But mothers have always been mothers just about everywhere in space and time! The mother figure is one of the most important since ancient history, dating back to the Palaeolithic age where Mother Goddesses represented nature and fertility. The female […]
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3 March 2017 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
This paccheri pasta recipe looks so inviting – perfect for a chilly evening! If you can’t find pumpkin, butternut squash would work just as well. Ingredients for 4 people 320g Paccheri Pasta 400g pumpkin 100g gorgonzola dolce 200g button mushrooms 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese Dried rosemary and thyme Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste […]
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6 January 2017 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Aunt Connie’s recipe for this weekend is easy meat free lasagna with veggies and tofu – a veggie or if you prefer, vegan twist to a staple dish of the Italian cuisine. Follow this step-by-step recipe and make your own, succulent batch of tasty lasagna, full of deliciously healthy veggies and chewy Tofu bites. The veggies […]
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20 September 2016 || Christmas recipes, Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Italian life, Main courses, Recipes
Christmas: what a wonderful time of the year! So wonderful that we are already looking forward to all the merry festivities! And what is more exciting than getting a few, interesting Christmas Recipes on what to cook during those joyful days? Here are five Italian Christmas Recipes you will love! We picked them out just […]
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10 September 2016 || Pasta, Recipes
So it’s back to school time…back to routines and ‘proper meals’ and back to wondering what on earth to cook tonight! At the end of a busy day the last thing you want is to be slaving over the stove; meals must be quick and easy, ideally please kids and adults alike and of course, […]
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10 September 2016 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
This is the classic Italian family recipe for using up pasta – it works really well with spaghetti and tastes amazing – it’s a real hit with our kids who turned their noses up until they tried it and loved it! The spaghetti should ideally be plain (i.e. without any sauce). Of course you can […]
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30 August 2016 || Desserts, Recipes
Tiramisù: The Classic Italian Dessert What’s not to love about Italian desserts?…Crème Caramel, Pannacotta, Zabaglione…they are all absolutely delicious and richly flavoured, moreover, each one of them tells a regional story packed-full of traditions and culture.One of the most famous Italian desserts, known both for its amazing, coffee-infused succulence and for the fact that it […]
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18 August 2016 || Drinks, Wine and Prosecco
Summer is finally in full swing here in the UK and the time is just right to take advantage of warm, sunny days and mild, pleasant evenings. We know how relaxing and enjoyable a night home with friends can be, so why not make it all the better by creating some amazing Prosecco Cocktails to share? […]
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11 July 2016 || Cheese, Desserts, Main courses, Recipes
Taleggio is an amazing cheese from the Val di Taleggio in Bergamo, northern Italy. This cheese has a P.D.O. denomination and so must be produced according to specific EU guidelines, which determine both the area of manufacture as well and the very strict production standards. The specific regions in which Taleggio can be produced are: Lombardy, […]
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1 July 2016 || Main courses, Recipes, Side dishes, Vegetarian
Peppers are amazingly delicious and flavourful and are a very versatile ingredient. Moreover, they are full of vitamin C, B and beta-carotene and are a significant source of calcium, magnesium, iron and mineral salts. Here is our selection of five delicious pepper recipes that can be easily prepared at home and taken everywhere, from the park […]
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16 June 2016 || Main courses, Recipes
This month Zia Connie’s recipe is a traditional Neapolitan dish for the meat lovers amongst you: Veal Braciolette! Aunt Connie’s Veal Braciolette in Chianti Wine Jelly Sauce with Truffle Butter Mash Braciolette are thin, veal slices that are rolled up and are kept in place with cocktail sticks. This dish is a true traditional emblem of the Neapolitan […]
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14 June 2016 || Recipes, Salads
Dreaming of summer we’ve come up with a list of our favourite quick and easy pasta and rice salads – perfect for lunches, light evening meals, barbeques and picnics with friends and family. Pasta and Rice Salads: Great to share! An easy way to make a healthy, nutritionally balanced and tasty meal without having to […]
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24 May 2016 || Recipes, Side dishes
Welcome to our new column of recipes and ideas (starting with delicious Neapolitan Potato Croquettes) from Zia Connie, a modern Italian Auntie with a passion for cooking! Check our blog posts to find her latest favourite recipes and top cooking tips. But first…meet Aunt Connie! Connie Amato is the 2.0 version of the classic Neapolitan […]
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12 May 2016 || Cheese, Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
This recipe made with aged asiago cheese is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner and it is really easy to prepare. We have used farfalle pasta but you can choose any pasta shapes that you have in the cupboard. Ingredients for four people 400g. Farfalle pasta (butterfly shaped) 200g Smoked Norwegian Salmon 50g Aged […]
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3 May 2016 || Cheese, Main courses, Recipes
This is a deliciously indulgent recipe – combining creamy Gorgonzola dolce, Mascarpone and chopped walnuts with a cheeky drop or two of Cognac to give your crêpes an extra kick! The crêpes are made with whole grain flour though so you won’t have to feel too guilty about their filling! Crêpes can be prepared in advance and filled […]
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29 April 2016 || Cheese, Eat your way around Italy
After a week of truly bizarre April weather we are really looking forward to some warmer sunny weekends and picnics in the park. All we’ll need is a bottle of Prosecco, some crusty bread, a jar of olives, some sun dried tomatoes and a selection of Italian cheese all paired with delicious jams, jellies or […]
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1 April 2016 || Drinks, Vegan, Wine and Prosecco
The bad news about what’s in the wine we drink Over the years, wine making has gradually become more and more industrialised. Chemical pesticides are widely used in its production, from the cultivation of the vines all the way up to wine bottling. Strangely, wine is one of the few food industries that is not regulated […]
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17 March 2016 || Desserts, Recipes
Dried figs are not only deliciously chewy and decadently sweet; they are also an extremely healthy type of food. The fresh fruit is generally available from May through to September, with a slight variation in size (the larger ones are usually available in May whilst between July and August you can find the smaller, sweeter […]
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11 March 2016 || Eat your way around Italy, Recipes, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian
Italy is an amazing peninsula full of incredible locations, still untouched, in full, natural bloom. One of these enchanting places is the archipelago of the ‘Isole Eolie’, located to the north of Sicily. The Eolian Islands This group of volcanic islands is set in the enchanting frame of Tyrrhenian Sea and is made up of […]
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1 March 2016 || Desserts, Italian life, Vegetarian
Easter time in Italy, as in countries across the world is a time spent with friends and family. Naturally, every Italian celebration has its special foods that are to be traditionally prepared and eaten during these days and Easter is no exception. The Easter Dove One of these lip-smacking treats is the Easter Colomba, a […]
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15 February 2016 || Antipasti, Desserts, Recipes, Salads
Balsamic vinegar is most certainly one of the top Italian ingredients that can change everyday foods into a unique, mouth-watering experience. Original Balsamic Vinegar is made from the reduction of grape juice, usually Trebbiano or Lambrusco grapes. The rich, dense liquid that derives from this reduction, called must, is then put into barrels for several […]
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5 February 2016 || Pasta, Recipes
Giacomo Casanova, the greatest lover of all time, it is said, loved food, almost as much as he loved women! He allegedly feasted on 50 oysters for breakfast every day claiming that they were ‘a spur to the spirit and to love’ and perfected the art of seduction by assuring his many companions that he had […]
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2 February 2016 || Drinks
Coffee has gradually made its way towards the Olympus of healthy and energy-boosting drinks. Over the last few years, many scientific studies have been conducted into the benefits of coffee in contraposition to the undoubtedly negative side effects of its excessive consumption. The positive properties of this incredibly ancient drink are plenty and varied, but […]
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25 January 2016 || Drinks, Vegan, Wine and Prosecco
We love to find out new ways of serving our favourite sparkling wine and were smitten by this Prosecco and ginger aperitivo when we tasted it in Rome at Christmas time. Of course ginger is a powerful aphrodisiac, warming up the body and increasing your heart rate just like chilli! Valentines drinks anyone?! Ingredients For […]
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24 October 2015 || Desserts, Vegetarian
If you are a liquorice lover you’ll love this fabulously decadent dessert! Making Crème Brûlée is easier than you think and the addition of our organic Calabrian liquorice powder gives these gorgeous little pots a wonderful subtle flavour. Ingredients for 10 people 1 litre Double cream 45g Organic liquorice powder 1 Liquorice root 240g Egg yolks […]
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23 October 2015 || Recipes, Risotto, Vegetarian
We love this unusual risotto recipe packed with interesting flavours, it’s pretty quick and easy to make and it’s tasty and healthy too. We have used organic liquorice powder from Calabria, the home of some of the best liquorice in the world. Just a spoonful of this spice ground from the liquorice root gives a wonderful […]
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19 September 2015 || Pasta, Recipes
When it comes to cooking easy, filling and tasty food on a budget you can’t beat pasta! Perfect for Freshers fending for themselves for the first time, a bag of pasta plus a few key quality ingredients can be quickly transformed into a range of satisfying meals that are sure to impress! Once you get your hands on […]
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10 September 2015 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes, Salads, Side dishes, Vegetarian
Do you often make way too much pasta and end up with a pan full after your meal? The fight against food waste can start in the kitchen with these 3 tasty recipes which will help you recycle your leftover pasta! We recommend using Vorrei’s bronze die cut pasta in all of your pasta dishes. It retains its […]
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31 July 2015 || Recipes, Salads, Vegan, Vegetarian
Did you know that pears can be an excellent source of dietary fibres? And using them in a salad makes them even more exotic! Pears can be perfect in a salad as their sweetness will balance out the salt and pepper and other ingredients. We will also be using hazelnut vinaigrette, made with authentic balsamic […]
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26 June 2015 || Recipes, Salads
This is a rice salad with a difference – packed full of mediterranean flavours, simple to prepare and great for a summer lunch, barbeque or picnic. Ingredients for 6 – 8 portions 500g Carnaroli rice 350g Cherry tomatoes 250g Feta Fresh mixed herbs such as basil, parsley Chilli pepper (powder or fresh) Aubergines in […]
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1 May 2015 || Calabrian recipes, Pasta, Recipes
Easy to prepare pasta & broccoli, Calabrian style This recipe originated in Southern Italy and has to be one of the easiest ever pasta dishes to prepare. You need just two or three ingredients and the pasta and broccoli are cooked in the same pan! The garlic oil (with or without anchovies) added at the […]
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22 April 2015 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe This is one of our family’s favourite quick summer meals. It’s really easy to make and the flavours go really well together. You need just three main quality ingredients: some fresh Mozzarella, the tastiest tomatoes you can find (a little more challenging in England than in Italy unfortunately) and some pasta that […]
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3 April 2015 || Recipes, Risotto
Recipe for Risotto with Gorgonzola and Pear Mustard This week’s easy, super-tasty recipe was given to us by the ladies at Casa Forcello near Mantova in Northern Italy. Casa Forcello is an all-female artisan company which produces our fruit mustards and wine jellies in small batches with fresh fruit from local growers. A fruit mustard […]
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16 March 2015 || Drinks, Italian life, Wine and Prosecco
Apart from the sunshine, the people and the pizza, it’s the ritual of ‘Aperitivo time’ that we miss most since moving back to the UK from Rome. The Aperitif hour signals the end of the working day, a moment to relax (usually in the sunshine), drink a glass of something refreshing (generally just the one), with […]
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14 March 2015 || Fish and seafood, Pasta, Recipes
An easy, healthy, cheap (the approximate cost for each person is just £1.30) and quick to make spaghetti recipe. The secret to creating a great dish with such simple ingredients is to use only best quality, authentic Italian ones, such as extra virgin olive oil (even better if it’s organic), spaghetti from Gragnano and anchovy fillets from Cetara: […]
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11 March 2015 || Pasta, Recipes
An authentic Neapolitan recipe made with ‘Paccheri’ pasta Paccheri are large pasta tubes originally from Naples which pair perfectly with fish and other chunky sauces. The size and shape of this traditional pasta allow them to be stuffed with ricotta or other ingredients. The name “paccheri”comes from the ancient Greek meaning ‘slap’ – the noise that they supposedly make […]
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2 March 2015 || Cooking tips, Desserts, Recipes
An easy and delicious recipe that combines one of the most famous traditional puddings with a unique Southern Italian flavour – Apple pie with bergamot marmalade. This marmalade with an intense flavour, sweet and tangy at the same time, is a perfect ingredient to add some Mediterranean flavour at your apple pie! Ingredients for the Apple Pie […]
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16 February 2015 || Recipes, Side dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
Dried Porcini mushrooms and potatoes go perfectly together in this dish! This typically Calabrian combination can be served alongside a burger (meat or veggie) or a frittata as a hearty side dish. Ingredients for 2 people 50g dried porcini mushrooms 400g potatoes 1 clove of garlic 4 tbsps extra virgin olive oil Salt Pepper Sprig of […]
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12 February 2015 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
Recipe for Spaghetti with Asparagus Pesto This spaghetti with pesto recipe is an alternative to the classic basil one. It’s full of flavour, easy to make and healthy and has a main ingredient (asparagus) which is said to be an effective aphrodisiac! You can combine this pesto sauce with spaghetti or any kind of pasta shape that you prefer. […]
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11 February 2015 || Desserts
Recipe for Chocolate Chilli Mousse The spicy chilli in this simple but luxurious chocolate chilli mousse complements the dark Sicilian chocolate perfectly creating a memorable flavour and the perfect aphrodisiac Valentines dessert! Ingredients for 2-4 servings 100g chilli chocolate such as Modican chilli pepper chocolate 10g butter 2 eggs 50ml cream (single is fine) Method Cut the […]
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9 February 2015 || Desserts, Recipes
Recipe for Valentines Italian Chocolate Pudding Our Valentines Chocolate Pudding (Budino in Italian) is a delicious sweet made with dark chocolate and accompanied by a refreshing raspberry coulis. A budino is a popular dessert in Italy, always nice and light and not too sweet with the consistency of a set custard. Here it is served with cream […]
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6 February 2015 || Cooking tips, Pasta, Recipes
Recipe for San Marzano Tomato Pasta Sauce. This easy recipe for San Marzano tomato pasta sauce will transform a simple tin of these very special tomatoes into a tasty sugar free, healthy sauce which goes well with all types of pasta: Ingredients for 4 people 400g tin of Vorrei’s Agrigenus San Marzano tomatoes Half an onion 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive […]
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20 January 2015 || Cooking tips, Pasta, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
What makes San Marzano Tomatoes so great? At the moment it seems that every celebrity chef is talking about them and every Italian recipe requires them. But what do we know about San Marzano Tomatoes and why are they so special? Here’s our top 6 San Marzano facts and our favourite simple sauce recipe using this much revered fruit. […]
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24 October 2014 || Antipasti, Recipes
This chili bruschetta is full of Mediterranean flavour and really simple to prepare.You can use any type of bread for toasting but a thickly sliced farmhouse style loaf is best. Ingredients for 6 bruschette: 200g tomatoes 30g Cenzino organic extra virgin olive oil 1 clove of garlic 1 chilli pepper 1 tablespoon of Bonomo e […]
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2 October 2014 || Desserts, Recipes
A must for chocolate lovers, Modica chocolate is a chocolate full of history made following ancient manual Aztec methods, brought to Modica, Sicily by the Spanish in the 16th century. No one else produces chocolate in this way anywhere in the world and no other chocolate tastes quite like this. Needless to say it makes […]
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2 October 2014 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
You can of course make this tasty dish with normal pasta but we recommend you try our chilli flavoured ‘Fileja’ pasta. If you haven’t heard of it before Fileja is a traditional Calabrian pasta, rolled by hand around a knitting needle or skewer. Ingredients for 4 people 350g Calabrian chilli pasta 500g of ripe […]
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13 October 2017 || Recipes
In honour of The Great British Bake Off and its first ever Italian Week, we thought it only fitting to dedicate a blog post to one of the episode’s food challenges: pizza! With The Great British Bake Off contestants struggling to create the perfect margherita pizza, we thought we’d lend a helping hand with a […]
Read more12 June 2017 || Cooking tips, Pasta, Uncategorised, Vegan, Vegetarian
Experiment with Black Summer Truffles – All The Flavour at a More Accessible Price! Who doesn’t love the delicious, earthy flavour of fresh truffles? That wintery aroma that fills your nostrils and tingles your taste buds, leaving your mouth watering with craving! Truth is, these special little treats can be expensive just as much as […]
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19 March 2017 || Pasta, Recipes
This colourful Fusilli Bucati pasta dish makes a quick, easy and healthy lunch or evening meal. It literally takes 15 minutes to prepare and tastes as good as it looks! Fusilli Bucati are long spiral spaghetti strands – ours are the real deal from Naples – lovely and firm and springy and they retain their […]
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5 March 2017 || Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Italian life
Happy Italian Easter! Much less commercialized than in the UK, Italian Easter celebrations focus on food, friends and family as well as on the more solemn, religious aspects of the holiday. Like many Italian holidays, Holy Week is characterized by rituals and traditions, and celebrated in many diverse ways across Italy, reflecting regional differences. Celebration in […]
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3 March 2017 || Pasta, Recipes
This beautiful, delicate pasta is shaped like an artichoke leaf and has been hand made with artichokes. It has a wonderful texture and generally pairs well with fairly simple sauces. Ingredients for 4 people 400g Artichoke leaf pasta 4 leeks Chunk of old crusty bread Pecorino cheese Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste […]
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18 February 2017 || Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Recipes, Uncategorized
Calabria is a breathtakingly beautiful region in southern Italy. It is the “toe” of Italian peninsula, surrounded on three sides by sea and characterised by wide sandy beaches overlooked by stunning hill-top towns. Tipped as one of the ‘Top 52 places to go” in 2017 by the New York Times, this relatively undiscovered region is so far […]
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5 January 2017 || Christmas recipes, Desserts, Recipes, Vegetarian
Recipe for Panettone French Toast with Mixed Berries Here’s a great recipe for a delicious dessert or a luxurious breakfast using left over Panettone slices. If yours disappeared well before Christmas it’s a great time to find bargain Panettone in the shops, most will have a best before date well into 2017. We have one […]
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16 September 2016 || Cheese, Pasta, Recipes, Risotto
Italy is without doubt a country with a rich cheese-making heritage. Each individual cheese plays an integral part in the landscape and is deeply woven into the specialities of each region. There are so many recipes associated with the Italian cheeses that we stock, it is always hard to select just a few – they […]
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10 September 2016 || Pasta, Recipes
This is a healthy but tasty and creamy pesto and chicken pasta dish that’s quick and easy prepare for week-night suppers or weekend lunches. Ingredients for 4 people 320g Rigatoni pasta 4 tbsps Pesto 80g Parmesan 300g Chicken breast 300ml Creme Fraiche 10 Cherry tomatoes Extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper Method Step 1. […]
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10 September 2016 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
These gorgeous, huge pasta shells, known in Italian as Conchiglioni (Big shells) or Lumachoni (Big Snails) can be stuffed with all manner of fillings to make a hearty main evening meal for all of the family. This recipe is meatless but you can of course use a cheese and ham or ragu’ sauce to fill […]
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30 August 2016 || Antipasti, Recipes
A Tasty Antipasto with Gorgonzola Piccante Cheese At Vorrei we love figs in all their forms but especially fresh ones at this time of the year. The fresh figs that we find in the UK might not be quite as sweet and plump as those plucked from the tree on your holidays, but if you are […]
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12 August 2016 || Pasta, Recipes, Uncategorised, Vegetarian
This easy summer recipe makes a really refreshing and delicate lunch or dinner and could also be make ahead of time to eat al-fresco! Ingredients for 2 people 3 Fettuccine nests 6 cherry tomatoes 1 large courgette Dried mixed herbs such as mint, parsley and thyme Fresh parsley Extra virgin olive oil Salt Method Step […]
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9 July 2016 || Cheese, Recipes
Fontina is an Italian cheese that literally melts in your mouth which has recently been named as one of the top 26 cheeses in the world by the Wall Street Journal! Of ancient origin This cheese has probably been around since the late 1400s but it has been known with the nomenclature of Fontina of […]
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20 June 2016 || Calabrian recipes, Italian life, Pasta, Recipes, Soup, Vegetarian
What is Cucina Povera? Cucina Povera (the kitchen of the poor/frugal cooking) has its origins mainly in Southern Italy and dates back to times when families had no means to provide fancy, expensive foods. Back In The Day Many lower class, country families lived off the little they could afford to buy, but mostly on […]
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16 June 2016 || Italian life, Main courses, Recipes, Salads, Side dishes
Summer must be just around the corner and how better to celebrate its arrival than with a proper, Italian picnic? All you will need is a bit of creativity and some tips on which foods to take with you in order to make your day out feel like a feast amongst the cypress trees in the Tuscan […]
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7 June 2016 || Antipasti, Recipes, Salads, Side dishes
This is a light and healthy antipasto which tastes creamy and indulgent at the same time. The gorgonzola compliments the bitterness of the Chicory. It’s the perfect appetiser for a warm evening but would also be great served on a large platter at a barbeque. Chicory has a small head of cream-coloured, bitter leaves. This […]
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13 May 2016 || Eat your way around Italy, Roman recipes
Over the last couple of weeks the spotlight has been on one particular Italian gentleman: Claudio Ranieri, ex Italian football player turned jubilant Leicester City Manager. The newly crowned King of Leicester was born and raised in one of the oldest but less well known neighbourhoods of Rome – Testaccio, home to some of the best […]
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7 May 2016 || Cheese, Main courses, Recipes
Castelmagno cheese is one of Piemonte’s most unique and esteemed cheeses. This DOP cheese (Protected Designation of Origin) can only be produced in three municipalities in the province of Cuneo. Strong, but pleasant and aromatic, this cheese is a popular table cheese and is also used in many Piemonte dishes. Gnocchi with Castelmagno is probably the […]
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3 May 2016 || Antipasti, Cheese, Recipes
These savoury biscuits made with both authentic Pecorino and Parmesan cheese are a tasty treat for picnic, parties or just to snack on at home! They are really easy to make, but good quality cheese is essential for the best flavour. We added Pecorino as well as Parmesan to give a sharper, stronger taste to the […]
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19 April 2016 || Eat your way around Italy, Main courses, Vegetarian
Aubergine Parmigiana is an Italian must-try! This classic baked, veggie dish combines the rich, earthy taste of aubergines with the juicy, sunny tang of tomato and basil sauce. Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese complete this dish and give it that extra, rounded flavour, typical of Italian cuisine. A name that could mislead you The name itself […]
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18 March 2016 || Cooking tips, Recipes, Vegetarian
A classic Italian gnocchi recipe We were always a little scared about making our own potato gnocchi (pronounced ‘nyockee’) so we asked Nonna Giulia for her trusted gnocchi recipe and to show us the process step by step – and it’s actually easier than we thought! Gnocchi make a great alternative to pasta or risotto, […]
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16 March 2016 || Pasta, Recipes, Risotto
7 Delicious Italian Healthy Dinners for Under £5 Per Person Would you like to prepare a delicious Italian healthy dinner for the family but without completely draining your pockets? Well, we have some great solutions directly from our website! Be inspired by our meal plans for under £5 per person feeding a flock of four. Here […]
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9 March 2016 || Calabrian recipes, Eat your way around Italy, Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
A Chilli Explosion ‘Nduja is a very special, spreadable Italian salami typically produced in the region of Calabria (specifically in the tiny town of Spilinga near Tropea) that has a very exceptional taste and texture. It is made up of soft pork meat seasoned with pork fat, chilli and red pepper, which are all packed […]
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23 February 2016 || Drinks, Wine and Prosecco
In everyday modern life organic is gradually taking over, and it’s not just about sustainable farming or free-range, non-GMO chickens: Nowadays, end consumers are way more informed and conscious about what they are eating and won’t tolerate the addition of shady chemicals or harmful pesticides to their desired products. For this simple reason, organic foods […]
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11 February 2016 || Recipes
Pizza – An Italian classic that is cheap and easier to make that you think! Nothing beats the classic Margherita pizza, the original Neapolitan recipe created for Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889. It’s still the simplest but most loved pizza in Italy today. The story of it’s invention goes that during a royal tour […]
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5 February 2016 || Antipasti, Cooking tips
If you are that type of person that can’t go without a dash of chilli or a sprinkle of hot sauce over every single dish they eat, then keep an eye out for this unbelievable product: chilli jam! Chilli fans would most definitely add that spark of hotness to basically any kind of food, from […]
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27 January 2016 || Chocolate, Desserts, Recipes, Vegetarian
At Vorrei we are big fans of super hot Italian chilli pepper and we love this Valentine’s recipe for a spicy chocolate fondue with a kick! Surprise your loved one with a fun Valentines Day gift to share! This is a really easy dessert which can be made very quickly just before you are ready […]
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18 January 2016 || Recipes, Risotto, Vegetarian
Open a couple of bottles of your favourite Prosecco (one to sip whilst taking turns stirring and one to cook with) and have fun in the kitchen on Valentine’s Day with this delicious, warming Italian risotto recipe. Good quality Italian ingredients are the key for this recipe – we recommend Carnaroli or Arborio Italian risotto […]
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24 October 2015 || Eat your way around Italy, Pasta, Vegetarian
This is a traditional Neapolitan pasta dish, simple to make and suitable for a quick lunch but without sacrificing taste! It’s packed full of tasty Southern Italian flavours and typical local ingredients such as mozzarella and tomatoes. This Fusilli pasta recipe can be followed exactly as it is or used as a base – feel […]
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1 October 2015 || Fish and seafood, Pasta, Recipes, Salads
Colatura di Alici, the fishy Italian sauce known in ancient Roman times as ‘Garum’ is a magical amber essence extracted from fresh anchovies which have been preserved with salt inside a chestnut barrel with a heavy weight on top of them! The name Colatura comes from the verb ‘colare’ which means to drip or to […]
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14 September 2015 || Calabrian recipes, Main courses, Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
Paccheri alla Parmigiana Parmigiana is a traditional dish made from aubergines. It originally comes from Sicily, but is found in slightly different variations all over the South of Italy. There are many different methods and recipes for making Parmigiana. We have chosen an old Calabrian one (adapted by regional Chef Valentina Olivieri). Valentina’s recipe makes a very soft and delicate […]
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13 August 2015 || Antipasti, Italian life, Recipes, Side dishes
Today it’s Ferragosto, Italy’s traditional midsummer holiday and families up and down the boot will be preparing for their celebrations – menus for huge Ferragosto meals will have been decided upon and the food will be ready to transport to the nearest beach, park or mountain! Now that most Italians no longer disappear on holiday for […]
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30 July 2015 || Recipes, Salads, Side dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian
This easy and healthy courgette salad with a vinegar and herb dressing is a very popular dish in the hot summers of southern Italy and would be great as a side dish for your barbeque or a refreshing and quick summer lunch (if and when summer arrives in the UK!) Ingredients for 4 people […]
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4 June 2015 || Antipasti, Desserts, Recipes
An easy recipe with the most loved Italian cheese: Parmesan Savoury artisanal ice creams are becoming more and more popular in Italy where in the best, innovative Italian ‘gelaterie’ you can find basil, lavender and camomile, sunflower seed or even Gorgonzola gelato alongside stracciatella and pistachio. Salty parmesan cheese and double cream is definitely an interesting […]
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24 April 2015 || Drinks, Italian life
Savour a rich Italian coffee at home with our 12 serving suggestions! Do you know your caffe macchiato from your ristretto? Your shakerato from your marocchino? We all know that it’s hard to find a bad cup of Italian coffee but did you know how many different ways there are in Italy of drinking this […]
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17 April 2015 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
A simple but really tasty and satisfying meal with just a few ingredients. Dried Porcini mushrooms can be kept in the cupboard and are just as good as the fresh ones! Ingredients for 2 people: 20g dried Vorrei dried Porcini mushrooms 1 shallot or small onion 1 tablespoon Cenzino organic extra virgin olive oil 100ml dry […]
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19 March 2015 || Drinks, Italian life, Wine and Prosecco
3 Easy Italian Aperitivi Recipes Fancy having friends over but don’t have the time to plan and cook a full dinner? Why not invite them for early evening aperitivi? The setting is informal and relaxed and the food is quick, easy to prepare and looks stunning – a platter of delicious mediterranean olives, sun dried tomatoes and aubergines, a selection […]
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14 March 2015 || Vegan, Vegetarian, Wine and Prosecco
Red, white or cruelty free? If you are vegan or vegetarian, chances are you will know that most wines are not animal friendly. Those not so familiar with a meat and fish free diet may wonder why non-carnivores worry about drinking fermented grape juice! The problem lies with the fining agents used to filter and clarify the wine. What are fining agents? The fining process is […]
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13 March 2015 || Fish and seafood, Pasta, Recipes
An authentic Italian pasta recipe with Colatura di Alici (Traditional Anchovy Sauce) Bring the taste of the Amalfi Coast to your table with this delicious recipe using our traditional anchovy sauce (colatura di alici) from Cetara (pictured below). The main ingredient of this dish is colatura di alici (anchovy sauce), an unusual and rare ingredient made exclusively […]
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2 March 2015 || Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Recipes, Vegetarian
This is an easy recipe for a tangy clementine marmalade tart (a very popular dessert in Italy and known as a ‘Crostata’) that looks tempting and costs very little to make. Of course it’s even easier and just as good if you use ready made pastry. Ingredients for the Clementine Marmalade Tart (6 portions) 1 […]
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16 February 2015 || Pasta, Recipes
Cavatelli is a traditional southern Italian pasta shape which pairs well with thick, chunky sauces like this one. This is a filling, tasty and quick recipe using several southern staples. Ingredients for 4 people 1 clove of garlic 50g porcini mushrooms Extra virgin olive oil 360g Cavatelli pasta 4/5 sun dried tomatoes Salt 300g Pork […]
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16 February 2015 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian
A handful of dried Porcini mushrooms transform this tomato sauce into something hearty and full of flavour. Ingredients for 4 people 25g dried porcini mushrooms 2 small tins of San Marzano tomatoes or a jar of tomato passata Clove of garlic Extra virgin olive oil Chilli pepper – fresh, in oil or powdered Salt Pinch […]
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12 February 2015 || Recipes, Vegetarian
Recipe for Risotto with Dried Porcini Mushrooms The risotto with porcini mushrooms is a classic Italian Autumnal main course with a tasty and aromatic flavour coming from the King of mushrooms: the Porcino. In this recipe we use dried porcini mushrooms which are easy to find all year round but you can of course also […]
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9 February 2015 || Recipes, Risotto
Recipe for Risotto dell’Amore. This unusual, savoury dish ‘Risotto of Love’ combines fruit and rice and works really well. The strawberries give the risotto a burst of flavour without too much sweetness as well as a beautiful colour. We think it’s a great recipe to try for a Valentines meal with a twist! Ingredients for 2 […]
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8 February 2015 || Desserts, Recipes
Recipe for Valentines Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries This Valentines Chocolate Fondue with Strawberries is a quick and easy way to create a fabulous finale to a romantic dinner for two. The melted Sicilian dark almond chocolate, a renowned aphrodisiac for centuries, goes perfectly with the freshness and flavour of the strawberries. Our recipe is sure to awaken your senses, as well […]
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20 January 2015 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
Lagane ccu Ricotta (Lagane Pasta with Ricotta Cheese) This is a super easy (and healthy) Calabrian recipe for Lagane with Ricotta cheese, made with just two ingredients! Lagane is the name for a type of pasta very popular in Southern Italy made just with durum wheat and water. You can now find authentic artisan Lagane pasta in the […]
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12 November 2014 || Eat your way around Italy, Pasta, Recipes
Recipe for Orecchiette with Anchovies Fillets, Broccoli & Sundried Tomatoes. Orecchiette is a typical pasta shape from Puglia in the heel of Italy, although it seems that originally it was produced in Provence in the Middle Ages using the local whole grain. The name means little ear in Italian. In this recipe we also use two […]
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17 October 2014 || Desserts, Recipes
This thick, plump rice from the Veneto region has a high starch content which gives a super velvety rice pudding! Ingredients for 6 people: Quarter of a teaspoon of salt 1 cup Riso Margherita Vialone Nano rice 5 cups of milk 3 cups of sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon cinnamon, plus extra […]
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2 October 2014 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
This is a healty, southern Italian recipe combining pasta and potatoes is typical of the Campania region. It’s simple to make, very cheap (especially without the bacon) and very satisfying! Ingredients for 4 people 400g Pastai Gragnanese mista corta pasta 70g bacon (optional) 70g extra virgin oliver oil 1 carrot 2 sticks celery 1 sprig parsley […]
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26 August 2014 || Main courses, Pasta, Recipes
Recipe for Spaghetti with Colatura di Alici Spaghetti with “Colatura di Alici” is really a simple dish, can be cooked by anyone and it doesn’t take much time. In a few minutes, you can serve a dish which is special, healthy and delicious. The Colatura di Alici is an ancient Roman recipe (Colatura derives from […]
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10 Truffle Products To Try This Season
As the nights draw in and the temperature dips, it’s time to replace those summer salads with rich, warm comfort… Read more
Celebrating Italian Week on The Great British Bake Off!
In honour of The Great British Bake Off and its first ever Italian Week, we thought it only fitting to… Read more
Crushed Potatoes with Spicy Gorgonzola
Spicy Gorgonzola cheese is wonderful for cooking with and can be used in many recipes. It’s great for making sauces,… Read more
Black Summer Truffles: The Great Taste You Expect at a Price You Won’t!
Experiment with Black Summer Truffles - All The Flavour at a More Accessible Price! Who doesn’t love the delicious, earthy… Read more
The Italian Cupboard: 20 Basic Italian Ingredients
The Italian cupboard: 20 basic Italian ingredients that you must have! The Italian ingredients in a cupboard will probably be fairly… Read more
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