Italian recipes often list quantities of ingredients simply as “q.b” – q.b stands for quanto basta, literally – how much is enough, or it’s up to you. For the learner of Italian cooking, those 2 letters “q.b” can be infuriating. But, if you can set down your frustration and widen your lens, I guess it only […]
Pasta with Gorgonzola Read More »
This is a bit of an indulgent pasta with marsala-soaked porcini mushrooms being tossed with a rich mascarpone and parmigiano sauce. It’s woodsy, flavourful, creamy and mega satisfying. In addition to being tasty, this dish reminds me of my mum, Stella. Not that she ever made it, it would never have been on her radar,
Fettucce with Porcini, Marsala and Mascarpone Read More »
You know that sinking feeling you get when a tv series that you have been glued to ends and you’re just not ready to say goodbye? When that sentiment strikes, I find myself googling for more info, a pitch of sorts, to keep what we “have going” alive – filming location, the story’s inspo, and
Spaghetti con Agretti Read More »
A thick, slow simmered salsa from the south of Italy, peperonata or red pepper sauce is a hero of a dish. A kinda cross between a chutney and a vegetable stew, it is fiery looking, and yet its flavour is surprisingly mellow and sweet. How’s that for a sensory trick? As a dish, it is mega
Sunday was the feast day of San Giuseppe. Around here, it is a particularly big hoo-ha of a day as Giuseppe is the patron saint of La Spezia, and it is also Father’s Day. The town celebrates in many ways, the key event being a 3 day fiera or fair/market with stalls selling food, clothes, toys,
Spaghetti with Garlic, Oil and Chilli Read More »
In the nearby village of Portovenere I remember there used to be a pestomat installed by the waterfront. Like other ATM machines such as the bancomat or postamat that supply euros after hours, the pestomat ensured that pesto, the beloved, Ligurian, pasta sauce was available 24/7. The pestomat (a type of refrigerated vending machine), was stocked
Pesto alla Genovese (off season version) Read More »