October is that time of the year when northern and southern hemisphere seem to share seasonal similarities. The temperature is still quite cool and crisp in Sydney, and although the fruit and vegetable stalls are starting to show the first crops of spring peas, fava beans and mangoes, the wintry sturdiness of spinach and pumpkin is…
Author: silviascucina
Biscotti with Blood orange and Macadamia nuts
This is not my first Biscotti post. The truth is, the flavor combinations that will deliver a spectacular Italian biscuit are so many that I could keep testing recipes for months and still know there are many more to explore. The original Cantuccini, or Biscotti di Prato recipe, calls for almonds and vanilla, a marriage…
Chickpea (Garbanzo beans) bread
Yes, I know, It’s another bread recipe! What can I say? I just can’t get enough of my starchy goodness and I love to experiment with flours in order to create a healthy and nutritious loaf. We arrived back from a trip to Adelaide a few nights ago and the next morning I felt…
Italian Apple and Cinammon cake
My two months in Italy already seem so far away in the past. It has only been two weeks since I’ve been back, but, as it always is, all the things you put on hold and stop worrying about when you are on holiday, come back to haunt you and to kick you in the rear…
Ricotta and Beef Meatballs with white wine
Oh Spring, Where Art Thou? The cool and wet Sydney weather, and a massive case of jet lag, inspired me to make this dish for lunch today. It is very simple to make, so even the foggiest, travel-stricken mind can successfully attempt to work this straight-forward combination of ingredients out. It is also delicious to…
Black Plum and Chianti cake
I must apologise for my silence over the last few weeks. It turned out that being on the road with two children under 5 for over two months can tire you down to the point of catching pneumonia and forcing you to your bed whilst husband and boys happy pootle about in the crystal-clear Sardinian…
White wine and Olive oil flat bread (Pizza Scima)
The last days of my holiday in Torricella Peligna, my mum’s home-village in the mountains of Abruzzo, are fast approaching. I always feel a deep sense of sadness at the thought of leaving this charming place. Every street, every narrow lane and alley, is embedded with strong childhood memories of feeling free, utopistic and adventurous,…
Aubergine Parmigiana
I have been on holiday in Italy, in my Mum’s birth place for over two weeks now, and although I have been coming here every summer since I was born, I cannot seem to get used to the bounty of the local fresh produce and the Italianness of the local villagers, most of whom are…
Spaghetti cooked Risotto-Style
A few nights ago, I had dinner at my cousin Elena’s house in Milan. She is the sweetest, most gorgeous girl, but, notoriously, she can’t cook to save her life! Lucky for all the guests, she also invited her bother Giorgio along, who was born with the cooking gene. Giorgio has always been a flamboyant wine connoisseur…
Panzanella (A Tuscan Bread Salad)
Panzanella is another great example of how well Italians do it the kitchen when fridge and pantry look desolate and empty. This has so much value in the Italian culinary tradition of Cucina Povera. It is very easy to create a good meal out of sophisticated and extravagant ingredients. It requires a lot more skill…
Silvia Colloca 