Crostoli/Sfrapole per Carnevale/Crostoli/Sfrapole for Carnival

Crostoli/Sfrapole per Carnevale/Crostoli/Sfrapole for Carnival

One of the typical desserts for Carnival in Italy is Crostoli/Sfrapole, which change name depending on the region where they are made. This year I decided to fill them with plum jam (which I made myself at home). The dough base is the same for 

Riso con speck e funghi/Rice with speck and mushrooms

Riso con speck e funghi/Rice with speck and mushrooms

A delicious risotto, simple and quick to prepare. First, put some water (or broth) on to boil for the rice. In a wok, sauté a large onion and a clove of garlic, both finely chopped, in a little oil. Slice the mushrooms and add them 

Spaghettoni quadrati con polpettine di tacchino/Square spaghetti with turkey meatballs

Spaghettoni quadrati con polpettine di tacchino/Square spaghetti with turkey meatballs

I find these square spaghetti with turkey meatball sauce to be an alternative to classic spaghetti with meat sauce, with the difference that it takes less time to make the turkey meatballs than the meat sauce!Let’s start with the turkey meatballs, taking some ground turkey 

Lenticchie giganti con Cotechino e Zampone/Giant lentils with cotechino sausage and zampone ham

Lenticchie giganti con Cotechino e Zampone/Giant lentils with cotechino sausage and zampone ham

In Italy, they say that if you eat lentils on New Year’s Eve, it brings good luck for the coming year, so for me, the best way to serve them is with cotechino and zampone. Let’s see if these lentils bring us luck this year!I 

Spaghetti al aglio, olio e peperoncino/Spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper

Spaghetti al aglio, olio e peperoncino/Spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper

Spaghetti with garlic, oil, and chili pepper is one of the easiest and tastiest dishes favored by Italians. All you need is 4 cloves of garlic, a few chili peppers, and fresh parsley. Chop everything up and then put it in a pan with a 

Cavatelli con basilico rosso/Cavatelli with red basil

Cavatelli con basilico rosso/Cavatelli with red basil

Cavatelli are made with fresh durum wheat semolina pasta, which can be made at home or bought ready-made. Let’s talk about red basil…it’s fantastic. Personally, I find it much more intense in smell and flavor than green basil. In short, this combination of cavatelli and 

Gramigna di spinaci e salsiccia/Spinach and sausage pasta

Gramigna di spinaci e salsiccia/Spinach and sausage pasta

Gramigna of spinach are green because spinach has been added to the dough. First, remove the skin from the sausage and then crumble it. In a pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, sauté a chopped onion, then add the crumbled sausage. When 

Lasagne in padella di patate, prosciutto cotto e Cheddar/Lasagna in a pan with potatoes, cooked ham, and Cheddar cheese

Lasagne in padella di patate, prosciutto cotto e Cheddar/Lasagna in a pan with potatoes, cooked ham, and Cheddar cheese

I didn’t know what to call this dish, but since it has layers, I thought of lasagna. The combination of potatoes, cheese, and cooked ham is fantastic. First, peel the potatoes, then slice them and place them in two pans with a drizzle of extra 

Maccheroni al pettine con salsiccia (Macaroni with sausage)

Maccheroni al pettine con salsiccia (Macaroni with sausage)

This type of egg pasta is very good and versatile, but above all, it is extremely tasty with a sauce like this one with sausage. Start by peeling the sausage and cutting it into small pieces. In a pan, sauté a large onion, chopped into 

Spaghetti con tonno/Spaghetti with tuna

Spaghetti con tonno/Spaghetti with tuna

One of the easiest, tastiest, and cheapest ways to cook spaghetti. Start by chopping 2 large onions and sautéing them in a pan with a drizzle of oil. Add some canned tuna (I use tuna in extra virgin olive oil, draining it before cooking). Meanwhile,