Italian

To save time, substitute dried canellini beans for tinned. Use one 400g tin and add to the soup with the tomatoes, zucchini, cavolo nero and bread. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. If you don’t have a thermometer, drop a small amount of the mixture into a glass of cold water. If it can be gathered up and rolled into a hard ball, it’s ready. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Better than the old Pub Parma, just slather your veal with tomato sauce and cheese before popping it in the oven to grill.

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Not suitable to freeze or microwave. Note

Use bottled marinated capsicum if you like. Note

A classic Italian favourite, this beef mince and pasta dish is beautiful served up with a fresh garden salad.

Try equal quantities of different nuts and dried fruit. You can make Panforte in a 20cm round cake pan; cooking time may vary. Note

A classic Italian pasta dish that is loved by all, this meat and tomato based sauce is beautiful tossed through perfectly cooked spaghetti for a quick and easy family dinner.

You can make pesto up to 3 days ahead, store, covered, in the fridge. Note

Risotto is best made just before serving. Note

Decadent and irresistible tiramisu recipe with a lovely light sponge, strong black coffee and cream, topped with fresh berries - the perfect pick me up after a long day.

Make ahead: Bake cannelloni up to a day ahead. To reheat, preheat oven to 160°C/140°C fan forced for 10 minutes or until heated. Note

Use grated cheddar cheese instead of pizza cheese. Use beef, chicken or pork sausages instead of lamb. Note

Serve with char-grilled steak or sausages. No heirloom tomatoes mix? Use a mixture of cherry, roma and grape tomatoes. Note

Comfort food doesn't have to mean hours in the kitchen. This classic and cheesy chicken parmigiana recipe with a rich tomato sauce creates a quick family meal that's ready when you are.

Freeze any remaining lasagne sheets for another use. You can slice the sheets into tagliatelle or fettuccine-shaped pasta and serve with a sauce. Note

The combination of hearty tomato sauce, oozy melted cheese and crumbed chicken is absolutely delicious, especially when baked. Enjoy this delicious dish straight out of the oven for a tasty family dinner.

Try cooking these in a toasted sandwich plate. Quesadillas are delicious hot from the oven but also perfect to take for work lunch. They reheat easily in the microwave or can be eaten at room temperature. While they are filling on their own, they could also be served alongside a meaty dish such as chilli con carne. Serves 4, ready in 50min.

Note: Conchiglie is a shell-shaped pasta, available in several sizes. Conchiglioni is the large version, which works well with chunky sauces and when stuffed or baked. If unavailable, substitute any short pasta, such as rigatoni or penne. Note

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

Parsley stalks have a lovely flavour, so don’t throw them away! Discard the tough bottom 5cm and finely chop from about halfway up the stalk. Add parsley stems to the pan with the garlic when cooking pasta sauces. Note

Sicilian olives are large green olives with a mild salty flavour and a lower oil content than black olives. To remove seeds, press the flat side of a large knife down onto the olive and slam down with the palm of your hand. Note

You can sauté a chopped onion before adding the mince to the pan. Put a chopped carrot and zucchini in the mix to sneak some extra vegetables into your family’s diet If you have some, add a little red wine to the sauce. Note

Mushroom rag pasta

Use sliced asparagus in place of spinach when in season and good value. Note

Prepare in advance: Prepare this dish up to the end of step 4. When ready to serve, combine everything over a low heat and serve straight away. Accompany with a green salad. Note

If cooking from frozen, remove plastic wrap and cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Discard foil. Top with parmesan and bocconcini. Bake for further 15-20 minutes, until bubbling and golden . For a tomato-based version, replace sauce recipe with 700ml jar of tomato passata. Note

You can try other combinations such as cherry tomatoes, bacon and parsley or asparagus and mushrooms. Note

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.

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.

Zucchini flowers wilt and spoil within a day or two. When buying, look for large bright fresh flowers with the green zucchini attached. Store them flat on a tray, covered with a damp towel then wrapped in plastic wrap.

The secret to a perfectly cooked chicken schnitzel is to slice each breast through horizontally, making a thinner portion so it will cook through and leave you with a crisp, golden crumb. Any leftovers make a delicious sandwich filling.

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.

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.

This pumpkin, spinach and fetta frittata makes a great vegetarian meal when served with a side salad and crusty bread. Or, you could pack it up and take it on your next picnic.

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.

Italian for 'cooked cream', panna cotta is a soft, sweet set-cream dessert that wobbles like a delicious jelly. Served here with mixed-berry compote for a burst of tart flavour.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Meet your five-a-day quota and accompany your next roast dinner with these roasted Mediterranean vegetables. A splash of olive oil and some salt is all it takes to bake these babies to perfection.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Rotolo is a pasta dish that's not nearly as well known as it should be, especially given how delicious it is. Lasagne sheets are used to make a filled roll that's either wrapped and boiled, or sliced and baked in sauce.

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.

This deliciously rich, foamy Italian custard can be served as a dessert by itself, with sponge finger biscuits, or as a delightful topping for fresh fruit. Strawberries, mangoes or stewed plums are ideal for serving in this way.

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!

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.

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.

Sopressa, Italian aged salami, has a spicy, slightly sweet taste with hints of pepper and garlic. Chorizo has its origins in Spanish cuisine, and gets its smoky flavour and deep red colour from smoked pimentón, more commonly known as paprika. Both meats can be quite spicy so taste the different varieties on offer at the delicatessen before making this meat lover's pizza.

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.

The addition of caraway seeds, toasted pine nuts and just the perfect amount of lemon juice take this roasted pumpkin and fetta pasta from satisfactory to simply exceptional. Serve with crusty garlic bread.

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.

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.

Typically, caponata is an Italian side dish traditionally served with fish. While the capers add to its spectacular flavour and compliment seafood beautifully, it is also delicious simply served with crusty bread.

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.

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.

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.

There is a lot to love about a classic lasagne. Served with a crisp salad, it's an all-in-one meal that is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and it tastes even better the following day. That's if there's any left!

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.

This creamy chicken and mushroom pasta is given something extra special when topped with fetta and freshly sliced spring onions. It can be on the dinner table in under half an hour which makes it a perfect midweek meal.