Italian

A classic Australian pub dish, the combination of golden crumbed chicken, eggplant and oozy cheese is unbeatable for a delicious lunch or dinner.

For added flavour, add a squeeze of lemon juice to your seafood pasta. Hot-smoked salmon steaks are available in the ready-to-eat section of the supermarket fridge. Note

Some believe florentines to be an Italian creation. They're actually French. Wherever their origin, this recipe is just the ticket. Now will someone pop the kettle on?

Tender veal simmered in a rich, creamy sauce makes a perfect Winter meal. Serve with mashed potato or soft polenta.

This savoury and deeply tasty pork sausage risotto can be whipped up in a flash with this pressure cooker recipe. No need to stand around stirring, just get the dish underway and relax.

Pressure cooker aficionados know well the pleasure of serving up a dish that should take 4 hours, after a mere half and hour or so. This tender Italian chilli braised pork is a brilliant example.

Accompany this with leafy salad. Note

Add blanched broccoli florets, asparagus or corn kernels, if desired. Note

Seafood and eat it.

Serve drizzled with a little extra-virgin olive oil if liked. Note

Turkey mince is learner than regular beef or pork mince. To hide added vegetables from the kids, grate vegies rather than chopping them. Add chopped basil for green goodness and flavour. Note

This oven-baked risotto is perfect for a weeknight dinner. Hearty and delicious, minus all the stirring, it's so simple!

Really ripe tomatoes and crisp, salty prosciutto make this pasta salad a sensational dish. Store tomatoes at room temperature, rather than in the fridge, which will alter the texture and spoil the flavour. To accelerate ripening, place in a paper bag with a ripe banana.

Try cutting gnocchi into other fun shapes, such as hearts. Note

More than just fancy macaroni cheese, this baked three cheese pasta is cheesy, creamy and crunchy on top. Ok, maybe it is a fancy macaroni cheese, but it's a great one.

Biscotti will keep in an airtight container for at least a month. Note

For a variation to the olives, fill the arancini with anchovies, tiny pieces of mozzarella or some finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Note

A specialty of Siena, Italy, this dense fruit and nut cake is also known as Siena cake. You need to start this recipe the day before. Panforte will keep for up to 2 months wrapped in baking paper, then foil, in an airtight container.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Packed with tender seafood, tomato and saffron, this risotto is hearty and delicious and makes a great red meat-free meal.

This recipe utilises the classic Italian technique of removing sausage meat from the casing before cooking. It makes for a tasty, succulent pasta with sausage meat in a savoury tomato sauce.

Warm, creamy and hearty, this tasty four-cheese penne dish is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for a family dinner on a cooler evening.

Sabyon is the French name for Zabaglione, the fluffy custard and sometimes beverage. The lime flavoured sabayon is delicious with poached fruit such as peaches, mandarins or mango. Enjoy shortbread biscuits dipped in the coffee based version.

Combine coffee and dessert in the most decadent way with these delicious coffee hazelnut shots. Frangelico is the perfect liqueur to use in this recipe.

This gnocchi recipe is a little more forgiving that its potato based cousin. Nervous cooks should dive confidently into this spinach and ricotta with sage butter version. The result will be as light and delicate as you could wish for.

This hearty bolognese cannelloni will have the entire family running to the dinner table. It is comfort food at its best and tastes just as good the next day. Enjoy with a side salad and a glass of red.

What better way to enjoy the delights of fresh spring vegetables than this pasta primavera with its tangy herb and mustard dressing. Store leftovers in a tupperware container for a delicious and healthy lunch the next day.

Suppli al telefono is a delicious snack from Italy originally named for the melted mozzarella "strings" that resemble telephone wires when one of these croquettes is split open and slowly pulled apart.

Hot and crisp from the grill, few can resist the heady aroma and charm of a classic garlic bread. Often served as an accompaniment to pasta, it's just as delicious all by itself.

Making your own crackers may seem like a lot of effort for something that can be easily be bought from the supermarket, but just one bite of these tomato basil crackers and you'll be convinced it's totally worth it.

Mozzarella is rather delightfully known as 'fior di latte', literally meaning 'flower of the milk'. It provides a wonderfully creamy and mild balance to the spice in this rosemary and tomato barley risotto.

Surprisingly, the humble artichoke is part of the thistle family. Served here topped with chopped pine nuts and fresh chervil, with a tomato vinaigrette, they'll make a sophisticated, mouth-watering appetiser at your next dinner party.

Not only are these Italian-style lamb cutlets served with mediterranean vegetables packed full of vitamins, they are a one pot dish. Win, win.

Originating in Italy, biscotti is a traditional biscuit that is mostly enjoyed with a strong coffee. A batch of these twice-baked goodies wrapped in coloured paper makes a thoughtful and delicious gift.

This tomato and rocket bruschetta would make a lovely fresh starter to your next summer barbecue. For a variation, replace the dill with basil and add a little garlic.

Cioppino is an Italian-American fish stew originating in San Francisco's fishing community. It is traditionally made from 'catch of the day' seafood and has become a popular staple at Italian restaurants in the area, and for good reason. It's delicious!

The citrus flavour in this beautiful salad, together with the unique blend of fennel and haloumi make for a delightfully tangy dish with more than just a hint of the Mediterranean.

Amaretto, originally from Italy, is an almond-flavoured liqueur and can be purchased from liquor stores. If small panettone are unavailable, cut 7cm rounds from large panettone, brioche or fruit bread.

For such an incredibly simple dish, this chilli and garlic spaghettini is just loaded with flavour, and crunch thanks to the toasted breadcrumbs. A great pick-me-up dish when you're short on time.

A sugar (candy) thermometer, available from kitchenware stores, is essential for this recipe. Yes, you need to get your timing just right, and making nougat can be a little fiddly, but it's totally worth it for the real deal.

Smoked chicken has a lovely robust flavour and a soft texture. It marries beautifully with the white wine risotto cakes. This dish makes a lovely light lunch and is perfect for dining alfresco style.

Veal pizzaiola is, roughly translated, veal served pizza style, in other words topped with a tasty tomato sauce, herbs and, sometimes, cheese. This spicy veal pizzaiola recipe uses veal cutlets rather than the more commonly used schnitzel cuts.

This spinach, bacon and pine nut pasta can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Pappardelle is a wide ribbon pasta perfect for this kind of dish but you can substitute fettuccine or tagliatelle, if preferred.

Affogato is a hugely popular Italian dessert that is composed of a small bowl of ice-cream, a shot of espresso and, sometimes, a shot of liqueur. These chocolate and cinnamon affogato shots are our cheeky take on the original.

Once again we must thank the Italians. This time, it's for mustard fruits which provide a sweetness along with a uniquely spicy accent to any dish they are added to. Here, it's roasted pork.

The elegant taste of veal is perfectly offset by this salsa verde accompaniment. The key to cooking this tender meat is not to overdo it. Fry until just done, and you'll be rewarded with the most delicate of flavours.

This pasta with smoked salmon is a quick and easy go-to dish when you're after something speedy. Smoked salmon off-cuts are inexpensive and sometimes available from seafood stores, some supermarkets and delicatessens.

Risoni is a small, rice-sized pasta often used in Italian soups; it goes perfectly with a marinara sauce accompaniment as its texture allows the delicious seafood to remain the 'hero' of the dish.

Angel hair pasta, also known as barbina, or "capelli d'angelo" in Italian, are long, delicate strands of spaghetti-like pasta. This tomato, tuna and capers angel hair pasta recipe is fresh and tasty.

This Tiramisu cheesecake is pure decadence. Creamy, smooth, rich and delicious, with all the passion, flair and attitude of the original Italian dish.

Frittata is an excellent option for a light, yet satisfying lunch enriched with healthy ingredients. For a low-carb option try this version with kumara, rocket, and pine nuts.

Paleo devotees look away! This delicious carb on carb fest would have had our ancestors rolling in their graves, but oh, how we love the combination of potato and rosemary on a crisp pizza base.

Coppa is a traditional Italian pork cold cut and is delicious with ricotta on this toasted panini. Experiment with different fillings like pastrami, sun dried tomato, mushroom and different types of cheese.

Simple and delicious, this pasta dish can be on the dinner table in just half an hour. Don't be frightened of the anchovies; topped with the garlic breadcrumbs, they give a wonderful flavour.

This fresh tomato and chilli pasta is the perfect midweek family meal that will satisfy everyone. Serve alongside some crusty garlic bread and the kids will be at the table before you can say "dinner's ready!"

Light as air and beautifully frothy, zabaglione is a classic Italian dessert. You can spice up this lovely chocolate zabaglione by adding a teaspoon of orange zest at the end, like a sophisticated jaffa.

Do you fancy busting out the antioxidants while enjoying a delicious feast? Look no further than these grilled vegetables with ricotta. They'll have your free-radicals shaking in their boots.

Sometimes a dessert, sometimes a beverage, we can all agree that the deliciously rich and fluffy Italian zabaglione is a delight, whatever its form. A touch of marsala gives this version its kick.

The chilli pancetta gives the linguine a lovely spicy kick. If you can't find it, use regular pancetta and add chilli to taste. Just a short time in the pan will be enough for the asparagus to add a touch of crunchy texture.

Both, sopressa and chorizo can be quite spicy. Taste the different varieties on offer at the delicatessen before making this meat lover's pizza.

For such a classy dish, this is a really simple and quick recipe. There's only one thing to be careful of; don't overcook the seafood or it will be tough and leathery.

Penne matriciana is a simple peasant style pasta dish made with fresh tomato and bacon. It can be on the table in 30 minutes and is a tasty and satisfying meal that will please even the fussiest of eaters.

Beef carpaccio is a fantastic appetiser to serve when entertaining guests. Buy the best quality beef you can afford for a luxury, melt in the mouth texture and flavour.

This orange almond bread is our take on a classic biscotti recipe, those crisp biscuits that go so well with after-dinner coffee. They also go beautifully, as we've discovered, with poached nectarines and yogurt.

Roasted mushrooms make a deeply savoury, rich and earthy sauce for this tender roast rack of lamb. Served with little roast potatoes and your choice of vegetables for a fabulous roast lunch or dinner.

Fill your kitchen with the heady aroma and taste of Italy with this healthy and colourful eggplant, tomato and basil pizza made with your own thin and crispy pizza base. Just like mama used to make!

If you're looking for the perfect quick and easy mid-week dinner, you've found it. Simple, tasty and ready in a flash, this asparagus, bacon and cheese pasta will become a go-to recipe.

Like a spaghetti pie with an eggplant, parmesan and breadcrumb crust, this Sicilian spaghetti is rich, earthy and very satisfying. Perfect for filling up on a cold evening or for lunch after a stiff weekend walk.

Our pistachio bread, or biscotti, would make a thoughtful gift for friends or family. For a different spiced version, omit the cardamom and use ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg instead.

This tagliatelle pasta with broccoli and anchovies is simple and delicious. Don't let the family be put off by the addition of anchovies, they leave no overwhelming fishy taste, just a delicious savoury flavour.

This classic Italian masterpiece never fails to please, and for good reason. Take your tiramisu to the next level by topping it with this magnificent hazelnut praline and you'll have your guests begging for more.

Agnolotti is a type of filled pasta, similar to ravioli but smaller. We've teamed a ricotta and spinach version with a creamy fennel sauce here for a perfectly hearty and easy meat-free meal.

The secret to our delicious lasagne is the pork and veal mince in the meat sauce, which gives it a balanced and rich flavour. The ricotta in our white sauce gives it an extra creaminess and lusciousness without the guilt.

Panettone, a sweet Italian loaf, has been brilliantly re-purposed for this decadent dessert dish. Spread with almond topping, the baked panettone slices are gorgeous soaked in peachy juices.

These frozen chocolate tiramisu bars are dead easy and terrifically impressive. Just a few moments worth of effort topped with a little sprinkle of cocoa and you'll have a grown up dessert that will satisfy the most discerning of tastes.

This is the perfect cake to serve at the end of an Italian meal, or with a cup of espresso when friends drop by in the late afternoon.

Making your own pasta dough is incredibly satisfying and easier than you might think. You do need a pasta machine, but the investment is worthwhile; just one bite of freshly made pasta and you'll see why.

Not suitable to freeze. Cavalo nero suitable to microwave. This recipe is also delicious with white fish, chicken breast or thin steaks. You can use black or green tapenade or substitute good quality basil or rocket pesto. Cavalo nero doesn’t lose volume like spinach or silverbeet, though either of these can be substituted if cavalo […]

This delightful spiced ginger and orange biscotti gives a lovely Christmassy twist to this favourite Italian biscuit.

Prosciutto, pumpkin and sage are a heavenly trio in this delicious, comforting dish.

Bring all the delights of Italian cuisine to your dinner table with this simple, flavoursome dish.

For a milder pesto, substitute baby spinach leaves for rocket. Note

This risoni and bean salad is robust enough for a light yet satisfying vegetarian lunch, or perfect as a side dish for grilled chicken or steak.

This exceedingly rich, decadent dessert is just the ticket at the end of a long dinner party with friends. Serve with coffee and lots of laughs.

Separate chicken livers into halves by cutting lobes apart. Note

You can quickly peel the capsicum with a vegetable peeler if you don’t like the skin peeling off when it’s cooked. Suitable to freeze at the end of step 2. Pack into freezer-proof containers, leaving 2.5cm (1-inch) space to allow for expansion. Seal, label and freeze for up to 3 months. Sprinkle with oregano after […]