Despite that tomatoes were only introduced to Italy in the mid-16th century, tomato sauce, or la salsa di pomodoro, is another staple of cucina povera, which literally translates to poor kitchen – peasant food. The first recipe for tomato-sauce-topped pasta and pizza appeared in 1779 in Antonio Nebbia’s cookbook Il Cuoco Maceratese. Today, the humble tomato sauce is ubiquitous, not…
Cooking and Food
Neapolitan Classics: Lightly Stewed Courgette (Zucchini) with Plum Tomatoes
While visiting my sister B. in Napoli, she made this dish for us for dinner. I had forgotten how much I enjoyed courgette cooked in this manner. Upon my return, I made it for Mr. GoodEating, who also very much enjoyed it. This is a traditional Neapolitan dish and it is inherently vegan. It is a…
Vegg Salad: Vegan Egg Salad
I like food and vegan food is just simply food to me. It is not fake, faux, replacement, vegan-this or vegan-that. But how do you solve a problem like egg salad? [You can sing that if you fancy and know the musical allusion] Do you call it “no egg,” “tofu egg,” “eggless” “n-egg” “vegg”? Or…
No Oil Creamy Spring Bow Ties
What? A creamy sauce made without oils? Yes, it can be done … and you have seen the basic method on this blog before (remember The Easiest and Creamiest Mac & Cheese and the broccoli mac & cheese). This dish sacrifices nothing in terms of flavour. It packs a tangy punch, it is creamy and full of…
Neapolitan Classics: Pasta e Patate
This is a very typical Neapolitan dish and almost embodies the essence of cucina povera. In Naples, you will find it at home and in many restaurants and trattorie. It is very easy to prepare and is inexpensive. Yes, this is, in fact, a recipe for pasta and potatoes. Carbohydrates are not bad for you. They…
Easy Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomato Polenta
Polenta is an easy, savoury Italian staple that is delicious warm and cold. In this dish, I’ve combined greens and grains for a “whole” meal in one.
Neapolitan Classics: Vegan Babà
The classic Neapolitan pastry: babà, veganised and with a bit of history
Neapolitan Classics: Migliaccio Alla Mela
An autumnal twist to a winter favourite semolina cake
Neapolitan Classics: Pizza Napoletana con Salsicce e Friarielli
My cousin Dana asked me about this recipe and a good thing too. It’s easy, delicious and I had been wanting to make this for some time. This is a typical Neapolitan dish found pretty much all year around. Pizza in Napoli doesn’t just mean the flat round food we automatically think about. It is…
Adventures in Foraging: Warming Winter Rowan Berry Chutney
The rowan, also known as the mountain-ash tree (specifically, the Sorbus aucuparia, Sorbus torminalis and Sorbus domestica species), produces the most wonderful red berries during September and October. They’re unbelievably red. The tree grows in many places in the cooler climes of the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a favourite of birds and foragers in Britain…
