First Courses – Page 2

05MAY

Cheese-stuffed semolina gnocchi

Is there a tastier version of the classic Roman-style gnocchi? Sure! And here it is: very tender semolina bites with a yummy heart … because cheese is never enough! SERVES 4-5 PEOPLE READY IN 30’ INGREDIENTS: 1 US quart milk 9 oz semolina 2 ½ oz butter Salt, pepper and nutmeg to […]

16FEB

Traditional meatball pasta sauce

Red sauce with meatballs = Spaghetti meatballs = Italian-American cuisine? Oh no! If it is true that spaghetti with meatballs is a symbol of Italian American restaurants in NY (together with enigmatic Alfredo pasta), it’s equally true that meatball pasta sauce is not an American invention! but a 100% made in Italy recipe! […]

12FEB

Semolina & spinach gnocchi

Come on, it takes very little to say “I love you” for Valentine’s Day! In Sanremo Mahmood confessed that to say “I love you” he mixed drugs and tears … I modestly combine semolina and spinach. Well, give to each his own! His song is simply wonderful – so much so that it is the […]

13DEC

Wow lasagna with pumpkin, speck, blue cheese and nuts (that’s all folks!)

When we say: long live to the abundance! Come on, let’s make them for Christmas lunch: they are delicious and irresistible. Creamy and tasty, they’ll conquer you all with the crunch of roasted speck! SERVES 4 PEOPLE READY IN 40′ INGREDIENTI: 2 oz butter 2 oz all- purpose flour 2 cups […]

24NOV

Chicory risotto

A classic that is always trendy (or maybe not … but who cares!) I like radicchio chicory a lot and cooked so much! I cook it for savory pies, dumplings, pasta, rolls… how could I not put it in risotto? Come on, this is an easy easy recipe, excellent and very colored. SERVES 4 […]

15NOV

Italian speck and artichoke pasta

November is not only the transition month towards Christmas, but it brings a beautiful gift: artichokes! So: what about velvety pasta? Sure! Ideal for everyday lunch but, if you choose a particular pasta shape, it can become very chic! I chose “calamarata” a stunning idea for Sunday lunch… do you like the idea? SERVES […]

08NOV

Pumpkin and breadcrumbs gnocchi

What do you do to fight stress? When the day (or the week) has been mentally heavy and a red light flashes in my eyes (one of those that can light up the room), I have my own way to solve the problem: I cook gnocchi! Maybe because kneaded by hands, or because I love […]

15SEP

Ham and eggplant pasta sauce

This is a real #childhoodmemory! Notoriously, it is not that I was really a #vegetables lover but I already had a boundless passion for cooking fueled by the legendary chef Guerrino (who remembers him ???) I think the protagonist of the very first TV recipe program that was on the local channel. In short, thanks […]

30AUG

Creamy zucchini pasta

My favorite pasta is the one topped with an enveloping and creamy sauce… but not necessarily too heavy! Zucchini and Parmigiano combined with paccheri pasta will conquer your heart, without making you feel guilty! Looking for a delicious but also healthy first course? Here you are served! SERVES 4 PEOPLE READY IN 20’ […]

17AUG

Sausage and saffron sauce

Men, this is good! Although I really love classic ragù, sometimes I like doing someting original, especially when I buy unusual pasta shapes. I had some inviting Sardinian gnocchi into the patry (which despite the name have nothing to do with traditional potato gnocchi but are a typical pasta shape), I decided to experiment with […]