Salad Double Bill! Cucumber, Mint and Radish/Roasted Greens and Chickpeas

Italian feasts are well known for the opulent abundance of festive food, ranging from delightful and varied antipasto spreads, to falvoursome pasta dishes and robust and delectable meat of fish courses. No matter what the occasion, vegetables always make a notable appearance at the table, may they be part of a main dish or served…

Roasted Carrot and Kale Chips Salad

If you have not heard yet of ‘kale chips’, then, quite frankly, where have you been? The ‘blogsphere’ has gone bonkers over this new healthy fad, and if it weren’t for the fact that I love -LOVE-  kale, I probably would have never had a go at making kale chips just to prove to myself I don’t…

Basil-Infused EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

This may well be the easiest recipe ever. Grab some good quality EVOO, a generous handful of fresh basil, and there’s your green-hued bottle of goodness ready for you. To be  just a tad more specific: In a large pot, bring 500 ml (1 pint, 2 cups) of EVOO and 1 cup of loosely packed…

An Italian Roast Dinner!

Here’s the ingredients: Fine meat, great wine, fun friends! To be just a little more specific, here is the core ingredient: * WARNING*: the following image is rated EXMO (Extreme Meat-lovers Only) and it’s not suitable for Vegans and Vegetarians alike… When it comes to roast dinners, Italians favor simplicity. What could be better than…

Roasted Pumpkin, Spinach and Pecorino Salad

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…

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…