Recipes from a passionate home cook

Tag: Italian

Zucchini Courgette Roses Recipe

Zucchini roses

I strongly believe that whenever planning any nice or special dinner, you should never underestimate the importance of side dishes. They can really make or break a great meal. For me, a good side dish is delicious on its own, but not too strong in flavour, to ensure it’s not overpowering. It should also do something visually, either be beautifully and elegantly plated, or add some great colour, and help lift the overall look of the plate. Finally, it should be easy and stress-free to ...

Recipe for tomato and pepper red pesto pasta

Red pesto pasta

Pesto is one of those things that truly tastes completely different when it’s homemade as opposed to store-bought. It’s also incredibly quick to make, 5 minutes max, and preparing it is as simple as blitzing some good-quality ingredients in a food processor. Lately, I’ve been somewhat obsessed with all different kinds of pesto’s, as they make for such brilliant and quick weeknight homemade pasta sauces. So fresh and extremely rich in flavour. You can also experiment ...

Courgette and parmesan puff pastry tarts

This recipe for courgette and parmesan puff pastry tarts is great for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are full of flavour but require very little ingredients. Secondly, they feel kind of special but really take no time at all. But perhaps most importantly, they are really fun to make and completely scalable depending on the course or occasion! Looking for a fun canapé? Make small squares and top with one or two of zucchini slices. A delicious starter or side? The sizes used in the recipe ...

Oven-baked Tomato Eggs Recipe

Italian oven-baked tomato brunch eggs

If you are anything like me and live for Italian food, you will have no issue with some freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese in the morning. I’m very into savoury breakfasts anyway, and also a longtime fan of oven-baked eggs, so this recipe for Italian-inspired oven-baked eggs in tomato is right up my street and a great vegetarian alternative to the ham and egg puff pastry tarts I shared with you previously. Anything oven-baked for breakfast or brunch somehow feels very special, ...

Recipe for cherry tomato 'orzotto' orzo pasta

Cherry tomato orzotto

You already know I feel very passionate about orzo pasta, and today I want to talk to you about orzotto. And my cherry tomato orzotto recipe, in particular. While I’m a big fan of risotto, and do also often make these as an easy weeknight meal, the orzotto is even easier to prepare, and arguably just as delicious. Orzo pasta Orzo, risoni, or puntalette, is a rice-shaped pasta that is mostly used in Italian soups and broths, but because of its size and shape, is also perfect to use as ...

Spicy tomato and red pepper bruschetta with basil recipe

Spicy tomato and red pepper bruschetta

Nothing screams summer quite like delicious Italian antipasto, and bruschetta must be one of my absolute favourites. Thick slices of toasted ciabatta bread, the most high-quality sweet tomatoes, fresh basil leaves and lots of garlic makes the perfect classic bruschetta and is without a doubt an ultimate all-time favourite, though this recipe for a spicy variation with dried chilli flakes and red bell pepper makes an incredible alternative for that classic tomato version. Tomato and red bell ...