Bell pepper soup

Manuela adapted a green pepper soup that she tasted in the famous Cibrèo in Florence, and came up with this smooth, full-flavoured delight.

Artichoke sauce for pasta

Artichokes can seem daunting - what to do with all those leaves??!! But once you have conquered the fear, this nutritious and delicious vegetable will become a favourite.

Carciofi alla romana – braised artichokes

These make a tasty little side dish or aperitif.

Cannellini beans with tomato and herbs

Literally the name means “in the manner of little birds”: this is the way that small birds were cooked up when they were brought home from a morning’s hunting. Cannellini beans are so much nicer...

Simple zucchini (courgette) pasta sauce

When the zucchini glut is upon us, we have this a couple of times a week. It’s light but fragrant and satisfying.

Pasta and bean soup

Since Italian cuisine is so regional, there are dozens of versions of this delicious, hearty soup. In Tuscany, white cannellini beans are used.

Fennel gratin

A simple yet delicious way to prepare this nutritious and aromatic vegetable.

Spring vegetable pasta

This is a light pasta dressing made with the freshest Spring vegetables