6 May 2021 || Recipes, Risotto
Risotto alla Milanese is one of those iconic Italian recipes and typifies northern Italian cuisine. It is made following the classic method for risotto, but what makes it special is the beautiful golden yellow colour that comes from the saffron. Traditionally Risotto alla Milanese is made with a ‘soffritto’ that includes beef marrow – our […]
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9 March 2021 || Desserts, Easter, Eat your way around Italy, Italian life
Happy Italian Easter! Much less commercialised than in the UK, Italian Easter celebrations focus on food, friends and family. They also focus on the more solemn, religious aspects of the holiday. Like many Italian holidays, Holy Week is characterised by rituals and traditions, and celebrated in many diverse ways across Italy, which reflect the regional differences. […]
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22 October 2020 || Pasta, Recipes
As the nights start drawing in it is time to start cooking up some comfort. Whether it is for a cosy dinner for 2, bringing the family together for a meal or for entertaining friends these quick and simple autumn pasta recipes are packed full of goodness and fantastic flavours. Whatever your pasta of choice […]
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22 November 2019 || Pasta, Recipes
Chilly, dark evenings call for proper comfort food and a pasta bake always cheers us up! This one is super-easy and can be made with any veg you might have in the fridge (aubergines, courgettes, mushrooms, peppers), but if you’re too tired for chopping why not use a convenient bag of frozen Mediterranean veg? We […]
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1 September 2019 || Desserts, Recipes
Tiramisu’ is one of those desserts which, when done properly can be sheer heaven in a dish but unfortunately it’s a very easy dessert to mess up! Here are the ten pitfalls to avoid if you want to create perfect Tiramisu’ every time: 1) Don’t use the eggs lurking at the back of your fridge […]
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5 April 2019 || Pasta, Recipes
A relatively unknown delight, Bottarga was first produced by the Phoenecians and has grown in popularity in Europe in recent years. Unlike anything you will have tasted before, this delicacy is versatile and unique! Want to find out more? Read on! What is Bottarga? Bottarga is a speciality of southern Italy – particularly Sicily and Sardinia. […]
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18 February 2019 || Food and well being, Recipes
When you think of ‘superfoods’, kale, goji berries or chia seeds probably come to mind; maybe you don’t immediately think of humble anchovies .. yet they are in fact a superfood, boasting a myriad of incredible health benefits. What’s more, they can be easily incorporated into your diet in a variety of different delicious ways. Packed with […]
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4 February 2019 || Recipes, Risotto
Recipe for Risotto dell’Amore. This unusual, savoury dish ‘Risotto dell’Amore’ 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 people […]
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23 January 2019 || Pasta, Recipes
Italian recipes can be very simple and cheap to make, you only need the best quality ingredients and little time to prepare them. We are going to propose to you a series of lesser known, regional Italian recipes that you will love and we will start with this very popular southern pasta recipe prepared both […]
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13 August 2018 || Recipes, Vegan
This is one of the few vegan cookie recipes that doesn’t involve complicated ingredients that are extremely expensive and frustratingly challenging to find in most supermarkets. Despite this they still taste delicious and are perfect for any occasion. After having made different variations we found that the Caputo flour gave the best result- it made […]
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18 July 2018 || 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. Rice Salad Ingredients for 6 – 8 Portions 500g Arborio Rice 350g Cherry Tomatoes 250g Fresh Pecorino or Feta Fresh mixed herbs such as basil, parsley Chilli Pepper (powder, […]
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18 July 2018 || 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! Summer Recipe: Ingredients for 4 People 6 Fettuccine nests 10 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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16 March 2018 || Pasta, Recipes
There’s nothing quite like a simple pasta recipe during the weekdays to make life a little easier. And so, this week, we’re sharing a simple pasta recipe for lovers of cheese: Gorgonzola to be exact. Combining punchy Gorgonzola with creamy Fontina, topped with crunchy pistachios, this is a hearty dinner for those on the go. […]
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10 March 2018 || Antipasti, Recipes
This chilli 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 bruschetta: 200g tomatoes 30g Cenzino organic extra virgin olive oil 1 clove of garlic 1 chilli pepper 1 tablespoon of capers 100g Vorrei […]
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3 March 2018 || Desserts, Recipes
A must for chocolate lovers, Modican 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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27 February 2018 || Cooking tips, Pasta
Did you know that there is a pasta shape to complement every pasta dish out there? In Italy there are pretty strict rules about pasta and sauces. If you are a pasta connoisseur this might all come naturally to you but if not it can all seem a little confusing! No one really knows how […]
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5 February 2018 || 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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18 January 2018 || 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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22 November 2017 || Christmas recipes, Vegetarian, Wine and Prosecco
Catering for vegetarians over the festive period can be tricky – with often uninspiring results! At Vorrei, however, we’re firm believers that vegetarian food doesn’t need to be dull, and delicious Christmas inspired veggie food and drink is more than achievable. To prove just that, below is a round-up of our favourite Italian vegetarian recipes for food […]
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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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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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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
Pasta Omelette – The classic Italian family recipe for using up pasta! This pasta omelette 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 […]
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30 August 2016 || Desserts, Recipes
Tiramisù: The Classic Italian Dessert What’s not to love about Italian desserts?…Crème Caramel, Panna cotta, 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 […]
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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 […]
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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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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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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 Sauce: 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 […]
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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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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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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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22 April 2021 || Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Recipes
Italian Figs – An Introduction The fig tree is an ancient plant, which grows in many countries such as Greece, Turkey, Portugal and Spain as well as the U.S. and of course Italy. This plant belongs to the blackberry family and it is considered a ‘xerophyte’ plant, which means it can survive in an extremely […]
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7 February 2021 || Pasta, Recipes
Over the last year there has been an increased demand for pasta. An international study found that 1 in 4 people increased their pasta consumption in 2020. Undoubtedly the pandemic has played a huge role in this rapid growth. Many people are rediscovering the benefits of pasta. Indeed, it is relatively inexpensive, versatile to use, […]
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22 November 2019 || Pasta, Recipes
A splash of vodka can really lift a pasta sauce, giving it an extra kick, bringing out the different flavours in the dish and adding a creaminess – all without any taste of alcohol! Ingredients for 2 people 200g quality Spaghetti 125ml milk 15g butter 1 untreated lemon 1 spoonful of vodka Grated Parmesan salt […]
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2 September 2019 || Cooking tips, Pasta
Pasta, in theory is an easy meal, but it’s not always straightforward to make the perfect kind of pasta you’ve no doubt enjoyed in Italy. There are a few common errors which can lead to pasta problems but avoided them will definitely improve your pasta skills. Unhappy with the way your pasta turns out? Read […]
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1 July 2019 || Calabrian recipes, Cured Meats, Pasta
One of the most well known, traditional products of Calabrian cuisine, “Nduja” is a lean meat salami, made with lard and natural aromatic ingredients (black pepper and sweet or spicy red pepper). Soft, creamy and bright red (due to the high concentration of chilli peppers), this traditional Calabrian treasure is gaining more and more popularity […]
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29 March 2019 || Italian life, Recipes, Uncategorised
Getting married in Italy is as joyous an occasion as it is in the UK, if not more. A day filled with laughter, tears, and the people we love, Italian weddings, just like ours, are naturally coupled with the finest food, wine, and gifts one can offer. So should you be planning a wedding in […]
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10 February 2019 || Pasta, Recipes
If you have never tried Sardinian Fregola pasta – now is the time! ‘Fregula Sarda’ looks similar to large couscous but is actually tiny rolled balls or crumbs (fregola means crumb in Italian) made from semolina flour and water. Our fregola have been toasted in the oven which gives them a satisfying unique flavour and mottled texture. […]
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24 January 2019 || Cooking tips, Food and well being, Pasta, Uncategorised, Vegetarian
Comfort Food Italian Style Raise your hand anyone who gives in at least once in a while to the pleasure that only a beautiful chocolate cake can give! Let’s talk about comfort food: the food that pampers! Comfort food is that food, that dish that refreshes the soul and the body, the dish that after […]
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21 October 2018 || Food and well being, Recipes
Steeped in history and dating back to 11th century Calabria, liquorice powder is an inspired choice to add a little taste of Italy to your cooking. At Vorrei, this in demand product is now easily accessible for all to enjoy.Have you ever cooked with liquorice powder? Send us your recipes! Grown in Calabria, ground and […]
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13 August 2018 || Antipasti, Italian life, Recipes, Side dishes
it’s almost 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 […]
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18 July 2018 || Pasta, Recipes, Vegetarian
Caprese Pasta Salad Recipe This is one of our family’s favourite quick summer meals. Pasta salad it’s really easy to make and the flavours go really well together. You need just three main quality ingredients: some fresh Buffalo Mozzarella, the tastiest tomatoes you can find (a little more challenging in England than in Italy unfortunately) […]
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16 April 2018 || Eat your way around Italy, Pasta, Recipes
Want to recreate some of Rome’s most iconic pasta dishes? We’ve put together a guide to our favourite Roman pasta dishes which can be prepared at home with just a few ingredients combined in different ways. All of these dishes are simple and incredibly tasty and have been around for years. Roman cuisine is real […]
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15 March 2018 || 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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4 March 2018 || Food and well being, Recipes
Due to their myriad of health benefits, mushrooms (particularly porcini mushrooms) are set to become 2018’s biggest superfood trend. In fact, we are predicted to spend more than £35 billion on mushrooms over the next seven years, and here’s why. A recent study found that mushrooms contain remarkably high amounts of two antioxidants: ergothioneine and […]
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2 March 2018 || 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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27 February 2018 || Recipes
Pizza Recipe – An Italian classic that is cheap and easier to make that you think! Nothing beats the classic Margherita pizza, the original Neapolitan pizza recipe created for Queen Margherita of Savoy in 1889. It’s still the simplest but most loved pizza in Italy today. The story of its invention goes that during a […]
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19 January 2018 || Christmas recipes, Desserts, Recipes, Vegetarian
Recipe for Panettone French Toast with Mixed Berries Panettone French Toast is 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 […]
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17 January 2018 || Food and well being, Vegetarian
Balsamic vinegar is an original artisan product that hails from Modena and Reggio Emilia in Italy. Made from white, sweet grape, it is simmered to a concentrate (known as must) before being left to ferment in wooden barrels: much like wine. The must is moved between different wood barrels over the years of fermentation, so […]
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7 November 2017 || Christmas, Christmas recipes, Desserts
The festive season is just around the corner and our thoughts (and tummies!) are turning to some of our favourite, festive Italian treats. In Italy, the nation’s favourite has to be the Panettone cake; with the average Italian buying five of these delicious treats over the Christmas period! You can learn more about the history […]
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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 || Antipasti, Desserts, Eat your way around Italy, Pasta, Vegetarian
“La mamma è sempre la mamma”: ‘Mum is always Mum,” so goes an Italian saying – a fitting quote to start our Mother’s Day inspired blog post. 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 figure […]
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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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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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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. History of Cucina Povera Many lower class, country families lived off the little they could afford to buy, but mostly on what […]
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16 June 2016 || Italian life, Main courses, Recipes, Salads, Side dishes
Summer is just around the corner, and how better to celebrate its arrival than with an authentic Italian picnic? All you’ll 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 Hills! […]
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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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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 ones), […]
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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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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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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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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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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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A Course by Course Guide to a Traditional Italian Meal
Clear your diary! A traditional Italian meal needs plenty of time to be truly appreciated, sometimes 3 hours or more,… Read more
Risotto alla Milanese is one of those iconic Italian recipes and typifies northern Italian cuisine. It is made following the… Read more
Cheese Board Accompaniments for Beginners
Surely everyone loves cheese? If you do you will certainly have a favourite, each with a distinctive, delicious taste but… Read more
Why We Love Organic, Fair Trade Italian Coffee
If you are one of the billion people in the world who need that all-important cup of coffee to kick… Read more
All About Italian Figs – Plus Our Family Turdilli Recipe!
Italian Figs - An Introduction The fig tree is an ancient plant, which grows in many countries such as Greece,… Read more
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