Notes about Recipes in this book

• Cheddar, spinach and potato frittata

  • Lepa on May 13, 2021

    This took a few more minutes under the broiler because the large amount of spinach makes it a bit runny but when it's done this is a gorgeous and delicious frittata. Definitely a repeat!

• Bresaola with artichoke and Gorgonzola

  • joneshayley on April 17, 2021

    Made without the artichoke- lovely combination. Outstanding salad

• Burrata with asparagus, pangrattato and sage

  • joneshayley on April 02, 2021

    I shared one ball between two, and it was perfect. A lovely rich decadent spring lunch

• Fried duck egg with Parmesan and asparagus

  • joneshayley on April 02, 2021

    A perfect spring breakfast. Delicious

• Buffalo mozzarella, black fig and herb salad

  • joneshayley on April 21, 2021

    Nice idea and the mint is a surprising compliment to the cheese and fig combination

• Melanzane Parmigiana

  • chaffinski on August 10, 2025

    Absolutely delicious- but so much oil is absorbed. One to make as a treat!

• ‘Nduja focaccia with tomatoes and rosemary

  • joneshayley on April 03, 2021

    Really easy and absolutely delicious. The best focaccia I’ve ever made, super soft and fluffy, sweet tomato’s and spicy nduja make it brilliantly balanced.

  • Lepa on June 24, 2022

    This was easy and so good. It needed more than 15 minutes- maybe 18? The center was a bit underdone so next time I'd bake it a bit more. It was still delicious and especially amazing with the suggested fresh mozzarella (not baked on, but eaten cold on top of the hot focaccia). I might make a half batch next time, as this was a huge focaccia.

• Farfalle with finocchiona salami, tomato and cannellini beans

  • joneshayley on April 03, 2021

    Fast and easy but also deeply flavoured and rich. The whole family loved this.

  • gootenbeez on November 16, 2025

    Fast and easy. Would have tasted better if I didnt have freezer burned salami : (

• Spaghetti all’Amatrician

  • joneshayley on April 10, 2021

    Not for me. None of us liked this, the sauce is basically just passata as the salami doesn’t lend much flavour, and the salami is chewy and fatty. It could be that we just don’t like this type of salami though.

  • Lepa on July 18, 2021

    I was short on time and this was a delicious pantry meal. I fell in love with Amatriciana in Rome and never find a recipe to match the pasta I had there but this satisfied the craving.

• Smoked salmon and pickled cucumber

  • joneshayley on September 23, 2021

    I was lucky to find some Scottish smoked trout on offer today so made this lovely salad. The flavours here are so complementary, great balance of pickles, smoky fish, lactic creme fraiche, crunchy bread - many different textures. I really enjoyed it and would serve it as a starter in summer months to guests.

• Chickpeas with braised summer vegetables and basil

  • joneshayley on April 28, 2021

    Very nice although not sensational. A healthy family supper side dish

• Wild rocket and cannellini bean soup with pesto

  • joneshayley on April 23, 2021

    Made with fresh chicken stock and tinned beans. A brilliant warming meal.

  • Lepa on June 30, 2021

    This is a simple and delicious soup. I made it with dried beans. I cooked the beans with a parmesan rind and added a teaspoon of bullion to flavor the broth- and used that instead of chicken broth.

• Griddled sirloin with borlotti, tomatoes and salsa verde

  • joneshayley on April 03, 2021

    I sous vide the steak, but otherwise followed recipe exactly. It’s lovely and definitely one to make again

• Spaghettini with garlic, chilli and parsley

  • Indio32 on March 18, 2022

    Made a half portion and ended up eating most of it..... I was hungry! Next time would half the oil and double the chilli & garlic. Not sure why the parsley gets fried as it ends up losing all its freshness. Will sprinkle over raw next time. A decent enough supper.

• Penne rigate with tomato, balsamic and basil

  • joneshayley on April 02, 2021

    A recipe more than the sum of its parts. Easy, delicious and well worth making over and over again.

• Gnocchi with ‘nduja and chilli

  • joneshayley on April 18, 2021

    Easy delicious combo. Great fast food

• Courgette, olive and ricotta salata bruschette

  • joneshayley on April 20, 2021

    Very nice. Could be made in small rounds for canapés.

• Trofie with pesto, potatoes and green beans

  • joneshayley on April 21, 2021

    A simple and classic dish. Method in the book is a bit off- add veg at the end of pasta cooking, and drain all at once to save time and washing. Family loved it

  • Kduncan on August 02, 2021

    We weren't huge fans of this, I think we cut the potatoes a bit too thinly as they had no bite to them. Probably would not do again.

• ‘Nduja, courgette and tomato pizza

  • joneshayley on April 06, 2021

    A great dough, soft and perfectly seasoned. The topping too is great- spicy nduja, creamy mascarpone and fresh courgettes and slightly charred tomatoes. Beautiful

• Tagliarini with pea and Italian sausage

  • joneshayley on April 04, 2021

    Buttery and delicious, though both the children and Rick prefer the version from Russell Norman's Venice.

• Orecchiette with sausage, broccoli and chilli

  • joneshayley on April 19, 2021

    Rick and I eat this on a summery spring day. Wonderful combination, simple ingredients delivering complex and layered meal. Really good.

• Sausage and squash risotto

  • joneshayley on April 10, 2021

    Very rich snd creamy, I’ve never added mascarpone to risotto before but will again- it adds a creamy richness that really enjoyed. Well balanced flavours, lovely plate of food. (No sausages for Eva)

• Truffle and mushroom risotto with roasted cauliflower

  • katiesue28 on January 05, 2025

    This has potential, but I would recommend some changes next time I cook it. Use less celery and onions, as they still retained a bit of a crunch despite the cook time. The roasted cauliflower and truffle paste tasted nicely, but I think adding additional roasted or sautéed mushrooms would bring it all together better.

• Bruschette with mixed heritage tomatoes and burrata

  • joneshayley on April 04, 2021

    A perfect bruschetta, every element works and marries beautifully. More than the sum of its parts

• Radicchio and rosemary risotto

  • Astrid5555 on November 10, 2022

    Very good risotto, used leftover rosé wine instead of white wine. If you like bitter than this is for you.

• Gnocchi in creamy porcini and tomato sauce

  • Lepa on May 30, 2021

    This is a good dish. The sauce is fabulous with gnocchi. My gnocchi dough didn't stick together well at first but after adding some more flour it did.

  • katiesue28 on March 12, 2023

    The gnocchi was beautifully soft and pillowy, and the sauce felt extra decadent with all the porcini. A really great dish that’s elegant enough for company.

• Wrap Your Lips Around This

  Written during the first lockdown of 2020, it’s also for the times you’re at home, stuck in a kitchen and wondering how to turn pantry staples into something new. Sounds good to me!

  Full review

• Eat Your Books

  Randall guides us to impressive meals utilizing quality ingredients from the Italian deli.

  Full review