Italian

To give added flavour and texture, toss in a handful of Ligurian (mini black) olives. Note

To blanch spinach, immerse in simmering water for 30 seconds, remove then place in bowl of chilled water. Drain well. Note

Remove pumpkin seeds easily by scraping them out with a spoon. Note

Accompany this with leafy salad. Note

Cream may be used in place of milk. Bake or pan-fry the prosciutto for a few minutes until crispy. Note

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

Creamy and delicious roast pumpkin risotto is a great dinner party dish for friends and family. With its beautiful colours this risotto is perfectly warming when it�s cold outside.

Preserved lemon can be replaced with 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1 tablespoon juice. Note

If liked, use scallops with roe. You can add a touch of cream to the sauce Accompany with salad and crusty bread. Note

If you prefer, replace gow gee wrappers with fresh pasta sheets and cut out 9cm circles. Then swap egg for a paste mixture of flour and water, to seal edges. Note

Simple, easy and delicious, you'll likely have all the ingredients you need for this pasta dish in your fridge or pantry already.

The rich creaminess of flavourful seafood risotto with delicious marinara mix will quickly become a new family favourite. Serve with lemon wedges and parsley garnish.

Mussels that don’t open after cooking are OK to eat, but discard any with cracked or broken shells before cooking. Also before cooking, check mussels with open shells – they may be dead and dangerous to eat. To check if they’re dead, take mussel firmly in your hand and tap it sharply on a hard […]

To make crispy crumbs, heat, 2 tablespoons olive oil (or butter) in a frying pan on high. Add 1 cup fresh breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, 2-3 minutes, until golden. Note

If using young, sweet asparagus, you can simply shave it and add to the pasta without cooking. Thicker, woody asparagus needs the ends trimmed and can be blanched in boiling water 1 minute before adding to the pasta. If you prefer, replace the crab with 250 grams peeled, cooked prawns and add to the pan […]

Verjuice can be replaced with white-wine vinegar or lemon juice. This can be served hot or at room temperature. Note

Smoking the scallops for this rather special pasta dish gives an added depth of flavour. However, if you don’t have a smoker, simply pan-fry or poach the scallops for 1 to 2 minutes.

Using simple ingredients like sweet tomatoes, chilli-stuffed olives, fresh parsley and tuna, this dish is easy to prepare and just plain delicious! Ideal for a light weekend brunch.

Use any type of pasta you prefer for this dish. If you can’t find soy beans, use broad instead. Note

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

Pork scotch steak is sometimes also called boneless pork neck. Note

This simple yet flavoursome sauce has a hit of chilli. Served over fluffy potato pillows, it is as comfort food or a weeknight meal.

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

To hang ricotta, tie the cloth bag to the handle of a wooden spoon and suspend over a large pot or bowl. Leftover liquid whey is full of nutrients. Add to homemade bread, scones, or even use as pet food. Note

Pearl barley is higher in fibre than white rice. Try brown rice for a gluten-free fibre hit. Note

If you want to add vegies, try some blanched broccoli florets, roasted pumpkin cubes or peas. Note

You can also use Lebanese bread as bases for these pizzas. Note

For poached meatballs, cook in simmering soup for 10-12 minutes. You can add a green vegetable of choice … spinach, kale or cabbage, for example … towards the end of cooking time. Note

Add 1/2 teaspoon of chilli flakes for a touch of spice. Note

Indulgent layers of juicy minced beef are cooked in a tomato-based sauce with pasta and creamy b�chamel sauce and all baked together until perfectly golden - simply irresistible!

For a vegetarian version, omit speck and use vegetable stock. Note

Too much flour in gnocchi makes it rubbery. Warm first batches of gnocchi in oven while doing rest. Note

You could make individual pizzas using small pita bread. Try using the wholemeal variety for added fibre. Note

Don’t over-handle dough, as it makes the rolls tough. Note

This warming, hearty tomato and beef sauce is beautiful served over these perfectly cooked tortellini to create a traditional Italian dish the whole family will love.

A little sugar added to this pasta sauce helps to balance the flavours. Note

This tuna risotto makes a fabulous starter or a hearty main. Risotto is a guaranteed winner. Served with a salad it's a complete meal.

Fresh turkey breast schnitzels are a great time save, mess free and available in most supermarkets. If preferred, crumb your own. Dust in seasoned flour, dip into beaten egg and then the crumbs. Chill 15 minutes before cooking, to help keep the coating on. Note

Cook bacon in a hot, lightly oiled frying pan for 3-4 minutes until crisp. Note

Delve into Italian desserts with this straightforward recipe. Honey, vanilla and raspberry coulis fuse together to make this sweet treat all the more delectable.

Ravioli is a great dish to serve with either a tomato based sauce or this pumpkin variation for something a little different.

Nothing could be simpler than these tasty Italian baked goodies. With just five ingredients they're a sweet treat you won't resist.

Makes 2 Note

If you don’t have pasta sauce; use tomato puree, tomato paste or diced canned tomatoes. Note

Add onion and a little sliced bacon or ham to the mixture. Note

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

Roll out Luca Villari’s sensational small plates for a relaxed afternoon in the sunshine with friends

Any salami, cabanossi or ham can be substituted for the pepperoni. Note

If you don’t have a zester, you can grate the lemon rind instead. If you like, skip the cheese and stir through a can of flaked drained tuna. Note

For homemade Italian comfort these tasty beef meatballs are simmered in an easy Italian tomato sauce to create a delicious spaghetti and meatballs recipe brought to you by Australian Table.

The secret to making ricotta gnocchi is to dry the ingredients as much as you can before using them. Drain off any excess water from the ricotta by placing it in a strainer over a bowl and leaving it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before using. Note

Use spaghettini if preferred – it is skinny spaghetti, which cooks faster than regular spaghetti. Note

Irresistible and popular Italian tiramisu recipe. This super-simple yet delicious dessert benefits from being made ahead of time, allowing all the lovely flavours to mingle.

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

Makes 2 pizza bases. Note

If baby fennels aren’t available use a large bulb but discard the tough outer leaves. Use a mandolin for thin fennel slices. Note

You can make this a day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Wrap in two layers of plastic wrap before popping into a lunch box for work or school. Note