Homemade elderflower syrup recipe

I walked under those fragrant flowers for years before discovering they were elderflowers and that I could use them in cooking. Every year since then, I have used the flowers to make a few bottles of elderberry syrup, which I then use as a base to create simple thirst-quenching drinks or the famous Hugo cocktail. But the…

ByMonica28 May 20190Comments

Aperitivo Appetizers Cheese COURSES INGREDIENTS OCCASIONS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Artichokes and mascarpone savory tart

Do you have a favorite season of the year? I don't know about you, but I'm pretty excited that artichokes are back in season. In late February, I'm so happy when I start to find the carciofo romanesco into the farmer's markets. The typical Roman artichoke called mammola or mamma (mama) also, enters right now its pick season. You…

ByMonica8 May 20190Comments

COURSES INGREDIENTS Legumes RECIPES Soups

Fresh Fava Beans and Semolina Minestra

It's Spring when air and light are vivid, days are longer, trees wear gems and buds, flowers start to chit-chat form flowerbeds and balconies. To me is spring when I start to shell fresh fava beans and peas watching Tv. It's a habit I have since I was a child when I helped my grandma while we…

ByMonica24 April 20190Comments

Aperitivo Appetizers Bologna Food COURSES Gluten-free INGREDIENTS OCCASIONS RECIPES Sauces and Pâté

Via Emilia: a Sugo Recipe for Pasta and Crostini

Ragu, salsa and sugo. Three different words that in Italy sometimes are used interchangeably among them. The most of them go with pasta but they are made with different ingredients and they have different texture and cooking. RAGÙ The Italian expression ragù is derived from the French ragout. Italian ragù is a thick stew of meat, poultry,…

ByMonica5 April 20190Comments

Aperitivo Appetizers COURSES OCCASIONS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Zucchini and Oregano Quiche

Who knows the difference between Quiche and Torta salata? In the Italian cuisine we love and cook both quite often. If the first recipe comes from the French cuisine, the second one is Italian. Both have the same origin: indeed they born in the cuisine of reuse and are perfect to make something delicious with leftovers. The…

ByMonica31 March 20190Comments

Bologna Food Breakfast and Merenda Cakes and Cookies COURSES OCCASIONS RECIPES

St. Joseph’s Raviole, The Cookies of Bologna

Welcome to Bologna. A city where the same name may indicate a fresh pasta or something sweet. So it happens that in Bologna there are sweet versions of tortellini, tagliatelle, tortelli and ravioli (but just ravioli become raviole, by taking the female name). For example, tortellini are little chocolates, tagliatelle and tortelli are also fried Carnival sweets.…

ByMonica19 March 20190Comments

Aperitivo Cheese COURSES INGREDIENTS Legumes OCCASIONS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Savory pea pie. Spring recipe

The calendar lists March as one of the winter months, but in Italy, there is a saying that it is crazy. Sometimes it shows up with a trousseau of rain and umbrellas. Frequently, it restores winter's rigor in the blink of an eye. But it also happens to show up disguised as spring. These days of mild…

ByMonica5 March 20190Comments

Aperitivo Bologna Food Cheese COURSES INGREDIENTS OCCASIONS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Roasted Carrot and Squacquerone of Romagna Savory Pie

What kind of cooks are you? Do you observe a recipe, maybe one from your family cookbook, or the inspiration of the moment? Family recipes and recipe development. To me, they're two sides of the same coin. Did you have your own family cookbook? A notebook where, during the time, someone wrote grandma's apple pie recipe, mom's…

ByMonica15 January 20190Comments

Aperitivo Breads and Pizza Cheese COURSES INGREDIENTS OCCASIONS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Savory Cheese and Cavolo Nero Loaf Bread

Looking for a recipe for tasty bread? Put some cavolo nero inside your loaf. I did it. Well, I've added also cheese but you do it only if you have or love it. I made a savory loaf bread that is as crunchy outside as moist and soft inside. Savory cheese and kale loaf bread is a simple,…

ByMonica28 October 20180Comments

COURSES Gluten-free INGREDIENTS RECIPES Savoury Cakes

Basic Recipe To Make Gluten-Free Savoury Tart Dough

Do you love homemade savoury tart? If you're looking for a special savoury tart dough, stop here! I have an option that could be good for you. Basic recipes for savoury tart dough. To be honest, sometimes I buy ready-made dough. But more often I prefer to make my own savoury tart from scratch. Starting with…

ByMonica13 July 20180Comments