First Course (Primo) | Living a Life in Colour

Cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper sauce) – Lazio

Cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper sauce) – Lazio Print Prep time 2 hours Cook time 15 mins Total time 2 hours 15 mins Cacio e pepe appears at first glance to be a simple Italian dish. There are only 3 ingredients, although this could also be said of…

Pasta con piselli (pasta with peas)

Pasta con piselli (pasta with peas) Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 20 mins Total time 25 mins I make this with a short hollow pasta like ditalini or bow tie pasta (farfalle). Children love both but very young children can eat ditalini with a spoon which is more manageable. For vegetarians,…

Cannelloni (baked pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta and spinach)

Cannelloni (baked pasta tubes stuffed with ricotta and spinach) Print Prep time 15 mins Cook time 55 mins Total time 1 hour 10 mins This is a classic dish in our home for Easter lunch. Sadly anyone who has had the frozen or ready-made versions of cannelloni may shudder at its mention but…

Gnocchi alla zucca (pumpkin gnocchi) – Lombardia

Gnocchi alla zucca (pumpkin gnocchi) – Lombardia Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hour 15 mins Total time 1 hour 35 mins Categories: Vegetarian, Gluten free *substitute polenta for flour, Dairy free*substitute olive oil for butter Pumpkin gnocchi are common in the north of Italy, particularly Lombardy. Crushed amaretti can be…

Frittata di riso (rice omelette) -Lombardia

Frittata di riso (rice omelette) -Lombardia Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 35 mins Total time 45 mins This recipe produces a crispy crusted rice omelette with a creamy core and spots of oozing cheese. Children adore it and when cut into wedges, it is the perfect meal-on-the-go or picnic food. Cut-up…

Rotolo di magro (pasta wheels stuffed with spinach and ricotta) – Emilia-Romagna

Rotolo di magro (pasta wheels stuffed with spinach and ricotta) – Emilia-Romagna Print Prep time 3 hours Cook time 25 mins Total time 3 hours 25 mins This is the vegetarian version of a classic Emilian dish that includes chicken giblets, sausage, minced veal and liver in the filling. The vegetarian version…

Risotto al bergamotto (bergamot risotto) – Calabria

Risotto al bergamotto (bergamot risotto) – Calabria Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 35 mins Total time 40 mins Bergamot is a type of fragrant but sour orange. Actually it is a hybrid (most citrus fruits are) between a lemon and a sour orange (which itself is a hybrid between the pomelo…

Risotto con radicchio (risotto with radicchio) – Veneto

Risotto con radicchio (risotto with radicchio) – Veneto Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 40 mins Total time 45 mins Radicchio is the perfect foil to fatty meats in particular. Radicchio salad with a selection of salumi is always nice. Cooking radicchio takes some of the bite out of the bitterness. We…

Gnocchi all romana (semolina slices baked with Parmigiano-Reggiano) -Lazio

Gnocchi all romana (semolina slices baked with Parmigiano-Reggiano) -Lazio Print Prep time 4 hours Cook time 40 mins Total time 4 hours 40 mins Here is the recipe for creamy semolina slices baked until golden topped with butter and melted Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. 100 grams of chopped ham can be added to these, if…

Pizza con patate e rosmarino (rosemary and potato pizza)

Pizza con patate e rosmarino (rosemary and potato pizza) Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 40 mins Total time 50 mins Categories: Kids, Vegetarian, Dairy-free*eliminate cheese and cream This recipe sounds unreal, potatoes and pizza, but I promise you it is incredibly delicious. The potatoes and crispy, the cheese gooey and the…