Deep Fried Brussels Sprouts by Nate Appleman

This dish will go with just about any main - pasta, meat, small plates. Whatever you're in the mood for.

Risi e Bisi by Carmelita

This delectable spring dish, a soup with fresh pea pod stock, fresh peas and rice, was once served with great pomp and ceremony to the Magnificent Doge of Venice - the elected head of the powerful city state. It was usuallly served on the 25th of April, the feast of the patron saint of the city, San Marco. This was traditionally the…

Lasagne Verdi all Bolognese by Carmelita

This is the recipe that I have learnt to make in Bologna. It does take long preparation but it is well worth it. The Lasagne - the dish is called Lasagna in Naples but always Lasagne here - are light, the layers separate, very little bechamel is used. So the dish is rich and tasty without being heavy. It is the pride and joy of…

Borage filled Ravioli by Carmelita

Early Spring ravioli filled with country borage and ricotta, with a walnut pesto and a finish of barely melted butter and fresh marjoram

Dolce al Mascarpone by Carmelita

My luscious spring variation on Tiramisù, this one is made with a lemon syrup and fresh berries

Cavatelli e Bietole by Carmelita

A healthy vegetarian pasta from Southern Italy, this diish consists of home made 6 finger Cavatelli dressed simply with wilted Swiss Chard sauteed with olive oil garlic and anchovy. The pasta is fun to make, no machine needed and the dressing you can make with any leafy green vegetable as well as with well softened broccoli.

Gnocchi Carmelita's Way by Carmelita

For soft light fluffy pillows that taste of potato, I have always made potato gnocchi without using egg at all and keeping the amount of flour to a minimum. Blog followers have tried my recipe and loved it, see for yourself and let me know what you think!

Pan braised quail with whole garlic by Carmelita

Quick, easy and tasty. Italian style simplicty that lets you savour each flavour.

La Sfoia Lorda - Pasta Pillows in Broth by Carmelita

A little known Pasta in Brodo home cooking dish from Romagna. It is unknown in Bologna and the Emilia part of the region, let alone in the rest of Italy

Chocolate Sauce for Roman Oxtail by Carmelita

A tomato sauce base is enriched with poached celery and finished with dark chocolate, raisins and pine nuts and a hint of nutmeg. This silky sauce is a subtly bitter sweet finish for Roman Oxtail Stew, its crowning glory. Though I have never tried it, I imagine it could also work well with game dishes.

Naples Style Meat Ragù by Carmelita

The other great Ragù, besides the one from Bologna, is prepared in a very different way and is much richer in tomatoes

Spaghetti with Meatballs - the original Italian recipe by Carmelita

Though many think this dish is Italian American, there is a traditional dish from Abruzzo that must have been the original inspiration. Read about how to make it here.

Ravioli with Peas and Prosciutto by Carmelita

This is a dish we made on a cooking class about a week ago using the first fresh peas of the season. Vibrantly colourful and tasty, the combination of peas and prosciutto is very typical of Bologna, though pureed peas are not.

Lemon Rosemary Risotto by Carmelita

Sunny colours and refereshing, zingy taste.

Zucchini con Anice by BearNakedBaker