Esse (lemon and vanilla shortbread biscuits) – Veneto Print Prep time 30 mins Cook time 20 mins Total time 50 mins These delicate, lemony biscuits are a hint that winter is over and Easter is on its way. They are deceptively robust so they actually are the perfect dipping biscuit to accompany tea,…
Pan di ramerino (rosemary and raisin rolls) – Toscana
Pan di ramerino (rosemary and raisin rolls) – Toscana Print Prep time 24 hours Cook time 30 mins Total time 24 hours 30 mins Our favourite Easter breakfast though is pan di ramerino, sweet rosemary and raisin rolls. One could consider them a slightly exotic version of hot cross buns. The smell of these…
Crostata di riso (rice custard tart)
Crostata di riso (rice custard tart) Print Prep time 20 mins Cook time 1 hour 30 mins Total time 1 hour 50 mins This rice custard tart is a delicious combination of a creamy, vanilla-flecked rice pudding with a caramelised top all baked in a crisp shortbread crust. It’s the perfect cure for…
Agnello di sfoglia Pasquale (chocolate and vanilla mille-feuille) – Lombardia
Agnello di sfoglia Pasquale (chocolate and vanilla mille-feuille) – Lombardia Print Prep time 1 hour Cook time 20 mins Total time 1 hour 20 mins This is a typical Easter cake from the provinces of Pavia and Lodi in Lombardy. It is layers of puff pastry typically baked and then cut into three…
Crema pasticcera al cioccolato (chocolate custard)
Crema pasticcera al cioccolato (chocolate custard) Print Prep time 5 mins Cook time 10 mins Total time 15 mins Pastry cream is a component in many Italian desserts. It can be used for tarts, sandwich filling for cakes, served with poached fruit, served with pandoro or panettone, or with cookies. This recipe uses…
Crostata di mele (apple custard tart)
Crostata di mele (apple custard tart) Print Prep time 2 hours Cook time 45 mins Total time 2 hours 45 mins This is a tantalising tart made with caramelised apples melting into a creamy vanilla custard all cradled by crisp pastry. What I love about fruit tarts like this one is that you…
Dolce ai marron glacé (hazelnut biscuits, meringues, candied chestnuts and chocolate with whipping cream) – Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta
Dolce ai marron glacé (hazelnut biscuits, meringues, candied chestnuts and chocolate with whipping cream) – Piemonte, Valle d’Aosta Print Prep time 10 mins Cook time 1 min Total time 11 mins Categories: Kids, Quick and Easy, Gluten-Free *use hazelnuts instead of the biscuits One of my favourite gifts is a tray from the…
Montebianco (chestnut chocolate pasta with whipped cream and candied chestnuts) – Valle d’Aosta, Piemonte
Montebianco (chestnut chocolate pasta with whipped cream and candied chestnuts) – Valle d’Aosta Print Prep time 1 hour Cook time 1 hour Total time 2 hours This dessert was created in honour of the majestic Montebianco, visible even from long distances away in Italy and France. The ingredients make the most of local…
Pastiera (Easter ricotta pie)- Campania
Pastiera (Easter ricotta pie)- Campania Print Prep time 4 hours Cook time 1 hour 45 mins Total time 5 hours 45 mins This is a traditional Easter dish and is one of the most famous dishes in Naples. The story of its origin begins with a fairy tale, that the Neapolitans made offerings…
Chiacchiere (fried pastry)
Chiacchiere (fried pastry) Print Prep time 50 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 1 hour 20 mins Chiacchiere originated in ancient Rome and were known as “frictilia”, small pizzas which were made with wheat and honey and fried in pork fat. They were made for the carnival occasion of Liberalia (an annual…