Antipasto is the first course of a traditional Italian meal. It can be cold or hot and in Italy is often just one dish, like an appetizer. Antipasti misti, an array of shared dishes (like tapas or mezze) can become a meal in itself, a wonderful way to graze, drink and enjoy the company of friends and family. Here are my favourite antipasto recipes.
Potato Focaccia I love authentic focaccia made with a generous amount of olive oil. My recipe is inspired by Ligurian-born restaurateur, Lucio Galletto, who uses more water and oil in his recipe than many I’ve seen, which is what makes his focaccia so delicious. I love how versatile focaccia is and especially enjoy potato focaccia […]
Broad Bean Bruschetta Every meal at Lucio’s Paddington restaurant started with bruschetta, a slice of delicious toasted Italian bread, topped with a mound of something seasonal. I love using tender young broad beans during their short spring season to make this broad bean bruschetta. In summer it’s often diced ripe tomatoes; sliced sauteed mushrooms are […]
Focaccia I love authentic focaccia made with a generous amount of olive oil and had such fun working on focaccia recipes for our Month on the Italian Riviera inspired by Lucio Galletto. Lucio uses more water and oil in his recipe than many I’ve seen and I think that’s what makes his focaccia so good. […]
Pane Carasau with Rosemary I love Sardinia’s crisp flatbread, called carta di musica or, in dialect, pane carasau, especially the way chef Giovanni Pilu serves it, sprinkled with olive oil, salt and rosemary and crisped in the oven. With a few olives, a chunk of Pecorino or homemade ricotta (see video below), and my favourite […]
Burrata with Tapenade I love stretched curd cheeses of every kind – including delicate, creamy burrata, the southern Italian cheese that’s a thin pouch of mozzarella filled with a rich blend of cream and fine strands of stringy fresh curd tied off with a knot. It makes a lovely presentation and, with a touch of […]
Radishes with Cultured Butter I heard about this way of serving radishes many years ago, but it made no sense. Then one day I was served the most beautiful baby radishes with cultured butter and salt flakes – and it was delicious! So this is one of those recipes that is so basic it isn’t […]
Bruschetta Caprese It’s good to eat with the seasons, but occasionally I want a touch of summer year-round – that’s when I call on a few of my favourite things and create this delicious bruschetta Caprese. Windy Hills Farm pots of living basil are the perfect way to use this summer herb year-round, Vannella’s small buffalo […]
Pan-fried Radicchio Radicchio is a wonderfully versatile vegetable. In Italy it’s popular cooked as well as in salads; the cooking softens the bitterness and brings out a touch of sweetness. I often shred it and toss it through pasta with some garlic and olive oil for a quick meal. This pan-fried radicchio is inspired by […]
Mushroom Bruschetta One of the things I loved most about Lucio’s Paddington restaurant was the seasonal bruschetta that always arrived with our aperitivi, a tradition I like to continue at home. In autumn, the crisp air of the Italian hills is filled with the wonderful aroma of mushrooms, inspiring cooks to prepare many dishes (sometimes […]
Gnocchi Fritti with Salumi Want a delicious, abundant, stress free feast for a large gathering? The key is platters of simple food that can be assembled ahead of time. Make the centrepiece an array of salumi (I love Salumi Australia’s selection): pancetta, different salamis, bresaola, spreadable spicy ‘nduja, mortadella and delicate Prosciutto di San Danielle. […]
