Italian

Mike’s Top Tips: By making your own pasta, you’re learning a great new skill. Plus it’s super-easy. But if you haven’t got the time, buy fresh lasagne sheets from the supermarket and cut them into wide strips Frying the herbs for the pappardelle gives beautiful colour, texture and flavour to the dish. Just be careful […]

This traditional Italian pasta dish is the ultimate comfort food, packed full of flavour to nourish the body and soul. Crispy bacon, button mushrooms and chives are tossed in a creamy sauce with perfectly cooked fettuccine.

Pizza with a twist! Pile your base high with veges that are packed with nutrients.

Here’s another way of making this humble family favourite even easier! I have added the grated carrot and baby spinach to the mix so you will only need a simple salad to serve. Plus my cheat’s version of a white cheese sauce make this dish as easy as possible.

Everyone loves lasagne! Try my nourishing twist on a family fave.

Toss together this flavoursome pasta dish in under ten minutes - packed full of nutrients and fresh, beautiful produce

Tossed shards of parmesan with prosciutto and mushroom, drenched in cream. Pasta boscaiola is a legendary Italian pasta dish.

Gourmet sandwiches worthy of any picnic, these are two very different fillings which both work extremely well stuffed in a fluffy baguette. Italian flavours are channeled with fresh salami and antipasto veggies, while an zesty chilli lime sauce and shredded chicken creates a Vietnamese style lunch.

The crispy coating hides a soft heart of pumpkin, rice and tender shredded lamb.

Put a healthy twist on Italian classics for comfort food at its best.

Cook up a big batch to reheat at work for a warming winter lunch option.

Rich tomato sauce is a great source of licopene – a powerful antioxidant which protects against free radicals.

All you knead! You can cater for every occasion with the perfectly versatile pizza.

Calzone originated in Naples, Italy, as a convenient form of pizza for those on the go.

Choose thick-skinned lemons because they are sturdier. Serve sorbet in glasses or gelato cups. Before freezing, cut base off lemon shells so they sit flat for serving. Note

It is important to combine gelatine and yoghurt mixtures at similar temperatures to avoid lumps forming. Note

If preferred, char-grill your own capsicum by roasting until skin chars. Simply remove skin, seeds and membrane, and then use as directed. Note

Be careful not to overcook your risotto rice – the grains should be al dente.

Feel free to add chilli, smoked paprika or herbs to suit the intended dish. Double the recipe and freeze in batches. Basic tomato sauce: • Substitute tinned tomatoes for vine-ripened ones in summer. • Try adding a pinch or two of herbs and spices depending on your desired recipe. • Sugar cuts the acid from […]

You can taste the ocean in this rich and hearty combination of shellfish.

Cinzano is sweet vermouth that has been produced in northern Italy since the 18th century. It's available in three varieties - Bianco, Rosso and Extra Dry.

The popular superfood quinoa dives in to save lunch yet again with this Italian style salad. Filled with tomatoes, capsicum, boccincini and a zesty dressing your taste buds and stomach will be thanking you.

Looking for a quick and healthy dinner idea? This silverbeet and cheese frittata makes a light and tasty weeknight dish.

For juicy, tender veal, cook it until still a little pink. Cuts as thin as scaloppine are easy to overcook to the point of becoming rubbery, so cook the meat quickly in a very hot pan so it browns but doesn’t stew. Only return veal to the pan when the sauce has been sufficiently reduced. […]

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. When cooking cauliflower, a light-handed treatment is best. It contains sulphur compounds similar to that of cabbage, which break down as they cook, releasing an odour that strengthens the longer they are cooked. Note

You'd be amazed at how well aromatic herbs complement the sweet, borderline tart, flavour of fresh strawberries. All supported by a delicate creamy panna cotta.

Not suitable to freeze. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

This recipe can be made up to two weeks ahead. Note

Sauce suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Note

Kofta suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

You will need one bunch of silverbeet for this recipe. Note

Suitable to microwave. Note

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

An alternative to stuffing the tubes for this spinach and ricotta cannelloni is to use fresh lasagne sheets and roll each one around a line of filling.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Pumpkin suitable to microwave. Note

Stuffed with tender fish, prawns and scallops, these Asian inspired ravioli are a must try for all seafood lovers.

The flavour of the caponata improves greatly if made a day ahead. It can be served warm or at room temperature. The dish can be served on its own or with plenty of crusty bread. Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Pesto suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

For the perfect balanced lunch, add fresh fruit, grissini (bread sticks) and water. Not suitable to freeze. Pasta suitable to microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze. Suitable to microwave. Risoni is a small rice-shaped pasta very similar to orzo. If unavailable, use any small soup-style pasta. Alternatively, pearl barley, rice or quinoa can also be used in this salad. Note

A tasty and textural vegetarian pasta everyone can enjoy.

If you don’t like spicy sausages, use your favourite sausages or frankfurts. You can cook the sausages before cutting them into chunks. Add some chopped red capsicum in step 4, if you like. White rice or a combination rice could be used in place of brown. Note

Family favourite, kid friendly Note

Pile on the chilli if you like it hot, and enjoy with garlic bread and a glass of wine.

Hunza pie sprang from the myth that it fed the longevity of the Hunzakut people, it became a hippy classic despite debunking. Happily, its popularity endures anyway.

Use 3 teaspoons dried basil leaves instead of fresh. Note

If ice-cream is your favourite treat on a hot summer evening, this cassata recipe, an ice-cream cake stuffed with glace fruit and nuts, from recipes+ is a gorgeous way to enjoy it.

Use drumsticks or thighs and sun-dried tomatoes which omits the need to cook a tomato sauce, without sacrificing any of the flavour.

Love bruschetta but find it a bit too messy to eat for lunch? This salad is perfect for you with doughy bread pieces, balsamic vinegar and a medley of juicy tomatoes.

Tomato and wine seem to compliment mussels so well, and this dish is no different. Add some linguini to the mix and you have a deliciously hearty seafood and pasta dish.

They don't call it a classic for nothing. This Italian spaghetti dish is so effortless and simple yet so delicious you'll soon see why it's such a staple.

Uncooked gnocchi suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Vegetarian: Omit bacon. Top frittata with 200g crumbled fresh ricotta before grilling. Note

Use pork and veal mince, beef mince or a combination of your favourites. Note

An effortless combination, tender chicken and grilled mushrooms are beautiful tossed through this creamy pea risotto dish. Serve up for dinner with a glass of wine for a warming, hearty meal.

This Italian dish is quick to whip up but with proscuitto, zucchini, shaved parmesan and tender pasta you'll be savouring every mouthful.

A comforting classic.

If you prefer, you can, use mild pancetta or prosciutto, as well as mild creamy blue cheese in place of goat’s cheese. For a thinner crust, try mountain bread. Note

To help prevent ravioli from sticking together, it’s important not to overcrowd the saucepan when cooking – a splash of oil in the water will also help. Note

For a delicious snack, make arancini balls: shape leftover risotto into walnut-sized balls, dip in whisked egg and coat in breadcrumbs, then shallow fry. Note

Cut pancetta in half, cook in frying pan 2-3 minutes each side, until crisp, drain on paper towel. Leftover risotto can be pressed into lightly greased muffin pan and baked for 15-20 minutes, until golden, to make risotto cakes. Note

Sliced fresh chilli can be used instead of dried flakes. If liked, stir 1/4 cup cream though mixture. Note

This colourful loaf is stuffed full of bright and healthy Mediterranean vegetables and makes a delicious change from the usual sandwiches.

If preferred, use 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary instead of fresh. Note