Italian Week
Any time now recipe blogs are going to be filled with Christmas foods, Recipes Made Easy being no exception. Before they do, I have chosen 4 Italian recipes from last weeks #CookBlogshare link up to share with you for this week's recipe roundup.
There were lots of lovely recipes linked up to #CookBlogShare last week when it was hosted by Kirsty at Hijacked by Twins. There were even some delicious early festive recipes but I thought I would share four Italian recipes because I love Italian food. Who doesn't! Sadly, last week saw the passing of the great Italian food writer Antonio Carluccio. His death, after a fall at home, came as a great shock to the cookery world as he was so full of life and in good health for his age (he had turned 80 recently).
I had the pleasure of meeting him in the early 90's at a prestigious food awards function. I was a young newbie food writer and felt a little out of my depth with some of the " great" food writers at this event, himself included. But I remember how I felt when he talked to me as an equal. Given some of the tributes to him over the last week that seemed to be the way he treated everyone, something that did not change as he became more and more famous.
I am sure he would be happy to see the love of Italian food passed on by new food writers many of whom I am sure will have been inspired by him.
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE FRESH PASTA: PASTA GUIDE #1
Making your own pasta is really easy and great fun. It is something I do regularly with a couple of friends on our Pasta Nights. We get together to make fresh pasta and then eat the results washed down with Italian wine. It's a great way to spend an evening and you may have seen some of the pictures on my Instagram Feed. Proper foodie, Debbie has put together a really helpful guide on how to make your own pasta from scratch, including a helpful video take a look and you too could soon be having fun in the kitchen making pasta once you realise how easy it is.
Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs
Jennifer shares her Italian spaghetti and meatballs recipe based on her grandmother's recipe on Because Food is love. Her meatballs are stuffed with Mozzarella which sounds absolutely delicious to me. (Update: sadly this recipe is no longer on line.)
Easy Chicken Cacciatore
Fellow #CookBlogShare host Eb shared another great recipe on Easy Peasy Foodie: Easy Chicken Cacciatore. Chicken Cacciatore was one of my mum's favourite dishes and she used to make it regularly. As a child I would always pick out the olives, but apart from that I loved the dish too. Having read Eb's post I want to make the dish to bring back memories, it has been a few years but now I will eat the olives.
Sicilian Caponata
Finally, but by no means least, we have Sicilian Caponata from Nico at Yumsome. This Vegan Italian stew is so delicious, and a real showcase for good quality ingredients. Cooked slowly your patience is rewarded fourfold.
anusha @ droolingfoodies
Italian Food is love <3 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sadhna Grover
Hi Jacqueline, thanks for hosting the lovely party. Happy Thanksgiving.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Your welcome Sadhna and thank you for joining us.
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins
I adore Italian food so this round up is right up my street! Thank you for hosting and your support for the #CookBlogShare gang xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Pleasure Kirsty and I have yet to meet anyone who doesn't like Italian food.
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
Whenever I can't decide what to make, I always fall back on Italian food. It never disappoints, and this roundup has such wonderful looking recipes! Thanks for hosting this week!
Helen
I've made fresh pasta a couple of times and love it, but my kids are more than happy with dried so I never bother - I must have another home made pasta session soon though, but I'll still give them dried!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I would agree in some cases dried is better but when it comes to lasagne sheets or tagliatelle I don't think you can beat homemade. Then, of course, there is also homemade ravioli which is just amazing.
Vicki Montague
What a great selection of recipes...they're making my mouth water. I love Italian food...great choices.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you. Italian food has that (mouthwatering) effect
Jennifer @ Because Food Is Love
Great round up! And thank you so much for featuring my recipe. I too, love Italian food. The homemade pasta inspired me to get in the kitchen and make my own pasta. I don't do it enough. I love that you have a pasta making get together with your friends. Sounds like an amazing time -- cooking, pasta and wine - the best! 🙂
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you. I have to say that I dont make it often enough either but now my friends and I have got into the habit of getting together every month or so I am making it more. It's a fab way to unwind at the end of the day, enjoy cooking, enjoy food and enjoy the vino too. And proves you dont have to spend a lot of money to enjoy a good night.
Rebecca Smith
ooh, ooh, ooh! I ADORE pasta. this round up was candy to the eyes! I was gutted to hear about Antonio Carluccio's passing, he always made me smile when he was on TV.
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
He made a lot of people smile.
Louise Fairweather
Oh I love this round up, and am now very hungry!
Nico @ yumsome
Y'know, as I said to my friend, Vicki (HonestMum), Antonio totally legitimised we Italian cooks who are so far from our homes. Prior to him becoming a household name, my friends were suspicious of my cooking, yet once they'd heard of il maestro, they were all, "Oh, Nico, please can you cook for us?" Ha ha ha!
(Granted, this was back in the early '80s!)
I was so saddened by Antonio's passing; he wasn't just a great cook, he was a great man too - and a wonderful intellectual - who brought so much pleasure to so many. I like to think that his spirit will live on through the food that people who loved him cook each day.
Grazie mille per aver caratterizzato la mia caponata - molto apprezzata! xx
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Yes he was a great man and much loved by everyone. A great lost to the cookery world.
Priya
I love Italian food! These look yum 🙂
Marilyn Lesniak
Thank you for giving bloggers this opportunity to share their gifts. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
You are Welcome. Happy thanks giving to you too.
Cat
What a lovely round up of Italian recipes.
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
SOOO hungry right now!! These look amazing I do love Italian food too!!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
As i say who doesn't 😉
Eb Gargano
Great roundup - amazing that there were 4 Italian meals linked up this week of all weeks! Italian food is always one of my favourites...whether cooking it at home, eating out in restaurants...or best of all, eating it in Italy! Thank you so much for including my Chicken Cacciatore 🙂 Eb x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
I know its unusual so I had to go for it
Debbie
Thanks for sharing my pasta guide Jacqui! All these dishes look really tasty. And yes I was definitely inspired by Carluccio!! So much passion!!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
He was an inspiration to so many people and a true gentleman.
Monika Dabrowski
You couldn't have chosen a better theme for this week. Great roundup:)
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you with those recipes it just jumped out at me
Donna
ooo I love Italian food but I'm very guilty of sticking to those I know. All those recipes look gorgeous!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
time to spread your wings me thinks 🙂
Angela / Only Crumbs Remain
Hubby & I love pasta dishes too - they're so easy and quick to pull together. Great round up Jacqui but such a sad event to bring the inspiration.
Angela x
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
well, I saw the Italian recipes and had to go for them but I couldn't do that without mentioning Antonio given the timing.
Corina Blum
Italian is a lovely theme for this week. I could quite happily eat any of these and am thinking of trying some homemade pasta again soon after seeing Debbie's video!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Oh do make it you will love it. Its what I call fun cooking.
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
Hello, Jacqui! I am feeling more hungry now with these Italian treats! 😀 Thanks for hosting this great party! Have a wonderful week!
Jacqueline Bellefontaine
Thank you, you are welcome