This classic Italian soup known as ‘Wedding Soup’ derives from its Italian name: ‘minestra mar-inata,’ meaning “married soup.” Rather than being a dish served at a wedding, it refers to the marriage of contrasting ingredients—the fresh green leafy vegetables and the hearty meat flavour from the meatballs, symbolising the union of the contrasting elements of…
Soup/Risotto
Risotto Milanese
Everyone needs a simple risotto recipe under their belt to serve with anything from stews to cooked meats. This is it. The saffron gives the risotto a beautiful yellow hue. This classic risotto is cooked the ‘proper’ way, by standing and stirring hot stock into it gradually as the rice cooks. It results in the…
Risotto Bolognese
Most often thought of as something to serve with pasta, Bolognese sauce makes a delicious risotto too. I first had this a few years ago on a family holiday to Florence. Tucked away in the corner of Piazza San Lorenzo we sat in a simple little restaurant where we ended up having the best meal…
Meatball Soup
This soup is delicate, simple, yet hearty. The mini meatballs infused with garlic, basil and Parmesan are poached in the warm comforting chicken broth making this a meaty burst of flavour in every spoonful. This recipe is easy using good quality store bought chicken stock. Of course, use your own home-made stock if you like….
Kitchen Sink Minestrone
I call this kitchen sink minestrone because it’s so packed full of goodness the only thing that’s not in it is the kitchen sink! This is rich, nutritious, low in fat, full of flavour, and it feeds a family out of one pot for next-to-nothing. Use up whatever vegetables you’ve got lying around, switch up…
Nonna’s Chicken Soup with Pastina
This truly is chicken soup for the Italian soul. Every child raised in an Italian household would remember this. Simple, yet comforting, I remember being given it as medicine for a cold, when I was upset, or any time I needed a little extra love. Because that’s what Nonna did when you weren’t well, she…
Prawn Risotto with Pumpkin and Bacon Pangrattato
This recipe is a combination of the ocean and Earth. Prawn risotto is a classic, particularly in seaside villages where seafood is plentiful. I’ve added the earthiness of pumpkin, it really enhances the sweetness of the prawns, and bacon which gives a salty meatiness that makes this dish sing. Pangrattato is just toasted flavoured breadcrumbs…
Chicken Stock
You can buy perfectly good stock from the store. But if you have a little time, homemade stock is just that little bit tastier, and it’s really simple to make. Plus, it’s healthier because store-bought stocks often contain a lot of salt. The perfect base for many recipes and can be enjoyed just as it…
