Samak a-sardeen mi’l’aaq Grilled sardines

Serves 4–6
6 bay leaves, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp salt
4 green cardamom pods
2 garlic cloves
2 small dried red chilies
1 tsp ground allspice
2 tbsp olive oil
12 fresh sardines, cleaned inside and out
(you can ask your fishmonger to do this)
1 lemon, cut into quarters lengthwise, then
cut crosswise into triangular slices
½ bunch flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped
freshly ground black pepper
1 Preheat a charcoal grill, barbecue, or grill pan until white-hot. Using a pestle
and mortar, grind the bay leaves with the salt until you are left with a bright
green powder. (This bay leaf salt is delicious on its own and can be used to
season roast potatoes or grilled meats or fish.) Add the cardamom pods and
continue to grind until fine. Sift the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, and
discard any husks or pieces of stalk.
2Crush the garlic, dried chilies, and allspice, again using a pestle and mortar,
and mix with the other spices in a bowl. Add the olive oil.
3Pat the inside of the sardines dry with paper towels, then rub some of
the spice marinade over the inside and outside of each fish. Mix the lemon
slices with the remaining spice marinade. Season with lots of pepper. Mix in
the parsley. Stuff the sardines with the lemon and parsley mixture.
4Grill the sardines for 3–4 minutes on each side or until golden brown
and crispy on both sides. With small fish such as this, it is important not
to overcook the fish—otherwise it will dry out. As the sardines are small and
the grill or pan is hot, remember that the sardines will continue cooking when
removed from the heat.
5Serve these fantastic little fish hot with wedges of lemon, a selection of
salads, and lots of fresh bread. The salt, sourness, and heat of the spice
marinade and the lemon slices cut the richness of the fish.

CABBAGE WITH SAUSAGES

Cut a large cabbage in two, slice and wash, put it into boiling water with salt, and when partly cooked, add
some potatoes cut into smallish pieces. Cook all together for about an hour; then drain. Put some fat in a
saucepan, slice an onion, brown it in the fat, add the cabbage and potato, and stew all together for ten minutes;
then dish. Bake some sausages in the oven and dish them round the cabbage; serve hot.
_Another way (easier)_
Stew the cabbages, potato and sausages all together and dish up neatly.

LEEK SOUP

Cut up two onions and fry them till they are brown; you need not use butter, clarified fat will do very well.
Clean your leeks, washing them well; cut them in pieces and fry them also; add any other vegetables that you
have, two medium−sized potatoes, pepper, salt, and a little water. Let all simmer for three hours, and pass it
through a fine sieve. Let there be more leeks than other vegetables, so that their flavor predominates.

CELERIS AU LARD

Take one pound of celery, cut off the green tops, cut the stems into pieces two−thirds of an inch long; put into
boiling salted water, and cook till tender. Take one−half pound potatoes, peel and slice, and add to the celery,
so that both will be cooked at the same moment. Strain and place on a flat fire−proof dish. Prepare some fat
slices of bacon, toast them till crisp in the oven; pour the melted bacon−fat over the celery and potato, adding
a dash of vinegar, and place the rashers on top. Serve hot.
Leeks may be prepared in the same way.

MUSHROOM CREAM SOUP

On a good white stock foundation, for which you have used milk and a bone of veal, sprinkle in some ground
rice till it thickens, stirring it well for twenty minutes. Wash and chop your mushrooms, and fry them in
butter. Add the yolk of an egg and bind it. This is a delicious soup.

THE SOLDIER'S VEGETABLE SOUP

(Eight to ten persons)
Peel three pounds of vegetables. Put them in a large pot with all the vegetables that you can find, according to
the season. In the winter you will take four celeries, four leeks, two turnips, a cabbage, two onions, pepper and
salt, two−penny−worth of bones, and about five and one−half quarts of water. Let it all boil for three hours,
taking care to add water so as to keep the quantity at five quarts. Rub all the vegetables through a tammy,
crushing them well, and then let them boil up again for at least another hour. The time allotted for the first and
second cooking is of the greatest importance.

Imqaret Date pastries

Makes about 30
For the pastry
4 cups all-purpose flour
pinch of salt
1⁄3 cup sugar
4 tbsp (½ stick) unsalted butter,
cut into pieces
5 tbsp dry red wine
¼ cup orange juice
For the filling
1lb (450g) pitted dates
juice and grated zest of 1 orange
juice and grated zest of 1 lemon
2⁄3 cup dry red wine
pinch of ground cloves
1 bay leaf
4 star anise
vegetable oil for frying
1To make the pastry, sift the flour and salt into a large bowl. Add the sugar
and butter, and rub into the flour between your fingertips to form the texture
of breadcrumbs. Using a spoon, mix in the wine and orange juice to make a
smooth dough, adding a little extra flour if necessary. Turn the dough out onto
a floured work surface, and knead as you would bread dough, until it is soft but
not sticky. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes until needed.
2Combine all the ingredients for the filling in a heavy saucepan. Simmer
gently over medium heat for 20 minutes until the dates are soft and the wine
has reduced. Discard the star anise and the bay leaf. Transfer the filling to a food
processor or blender, and process until smooth. Let cool completely.
3Cut the pastry into 4 equal pieces. Working one piece at a time on a floured
work surface, roll it out as thinly as possible, into a strip about 4in (10cm)
wide. Using a pastry brush, moisten the edges with a little water, and spoon
some of the filling down the center of the pastry. Fold the pastry in half
lengthwise, covering the filling. Flatten slightly, and press the edges together to
seal. You will end up with a long roll. Cut diagonally across the pastry with a
sharp knife, making diamond-shaped pieces that are about 2in (5cm) long.
Repeat with the remaining pastry and date filling.
4 In a heavy pan over medium-high heat, heat about ¾in (2cm) of oil until hot.
Break off a small piece of pastry and add to the oil—it should sizzle slightly,
but not brown too fast. When ready, shallow-fry the pastries in small batches for
4–5 minutes or until golden brown all over. Serve at once.

GREEN PEA SOUP

Put half a pound of dry green peas to soak overnight in water, with a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda in it.
In the morning take out the peas and put them on the fire in about three−and−a−half pints of water. When the
peas are nearly cooked, add five big potatoes. When all is cooked enough for the skins to come off easily, rub
all through a sieve. Fry in some butter four or five onions and five or six leeks till they are brown, or, failing
butter, use some fat of beef; add these to the peas and boil together a good half−hour. If possible, add a pig's
trotter cut into four, which makes the soup most excellent. When ready to serve, remove the four pieces of
trotter. Little dice of fried bread should be handed with the soup.

VEGETABLE SOUP

Fry four onions till they are brown. Add them to three pints of water, with four carrots, a slice of white crumb
of bread, five potatoes, a celery and a bunch of parsley, which you must take out before passing the soup
through the sieve. A few tomatoes make the soup better; if they are tinned, do not add them till after the soup
has been passed through the tammy; if they are fresh, put them in with the other vegetables. Simmer for an
hour, add pepper and salt before serving.

SOUP, CREAM OF ASPARAGUS

Boil some potatoes and pass them through the sieve, add the asparagus− tops, with a pat of butter for each
four tops; thin the soup with extract of meat and water, and at the last moment stir in the raw yolks of two
eggs, and a little chopped parsley.

Cudduruni con patate, salsiccie e pomodori secchi Potato, spiced sausage, and sun-dried tomato pizza

Makes 6–8 small pizzas or 2 large ones
8oz (225g) new potatoes, scrubbed and
thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, peeled
¼ cup olive oil
1 recipe cudduruni dough (see p134)
4oz (115g) spicy Italian salami or other dried
pork sausage such as chorizo, sliced
¼ cup chopped drained, oil-packed
sun-dried tomatoes
4 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary leaves
1 cup freshly grated pecorino cheese
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Cook the potato slices in a pot of boiling
water for 5 minutes, then drain in a colander and let dry. Crush the garlic with
a little salt, then mix with the olive oil.
2Once it has rested, punch down the center of the cudduruni dough to
remove any air from it. Knead in the bowl for a couple of minutes. This can
be made as either small individual pizzas or two larger ones. The large pizzas
do not have to have an even shape; you can even make a large square slab if
you wish. If making individual pizzas, break off 6–8 even-sized balls of dough,
a little smaller than a tennis ball. Roll the dough out on a floured work surface
until about ¼in (½cm) thick.
3Brush the dough with the crushed garlic and olive oil mixture, then scatter
the potato slices over the top. Next scatter over the sausage and sun-dried
tomatoes. Sprinkle with the rosemary and finally the pecorino. Drizzle with some
more of the olive oil and garlic mixture, and season well with pepper and some
sea salt. (Remember that the sausage and cheese will be quite salty.)
4Bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes or until the crust is golden brown on
the bottom. Serve at once, cut into slices as needed.

Calzone con tonne, broccoli e ricotta Grilled tuna, sprouting broccoli, and ricotta calzone

Makes 6 medium calzone
1 fresh tuna steak, about 10oz (300g), cut
¾in (2cm) thick
8oz (225g) purple sprouting broccoli, cut
into equal-sized florets
¼ cup good-quality olive oil
30 fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
juice of 1 lemon
2 small dried chilies
2 garlic cloves, peeled
8oz (225g) ricotta cheese
1 recipe cudduruni dough (see p134)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Preheat the oven to 400°–425°F (200°–220°C). Heat a charcoal grill or grill
pan until very hot. Season the tuna well with salt and pepper, and add the
olive oil. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side (3–4 minutes total) until medium
rare. Remove from the pan and set aside.
2Place the broccoli in a bowl and add a little olive oil. Season with salt and
pepper and mix to coat. Grill the broccoli, turning, for 3 minutes. Break the
tuna into smaller pieces, and combine with the grilled broccoli in a bowl. Add
the basil and lemon juice.
3Crush the dried chilies with the garlic and a pinch of salt to make a smooth
paste. Using a fork, mix the garlic paste into the ricotta. Do not overbeat
the ricotta, as you want it to still have some texture. Season well with lots of
black pepper.
4Roll the dough into a circle ¼in (½cm) thick. Spread the ricotta over the
dough, leaving a ¾in (2cm) border around the edge. Scatter the tunabroccoli
mixture over half of the dough. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Fold the top
edge down and, using your finger and thumb, pinch the edges together to seal.
Brush the outside with a little oil, and bake in the oven for 10–12 minutes until
golden brown and crisp.

Cudduruni Sicilian focaccia-style bread

Makes 2 large breads or 8 smaller ones
For the biga
½ small cake (0.6oz) fresh yeast
½ cup warm water
1 cup bread flour
For the dough
1 small cake (0.6oz) fresh yeast
1 tsp sugar
1½ cups warm water
7 tbsp biga (see below)
3 tbsp olive oil
4 cups bread flo
1To make the biga, or starter, crumble the yeast into the warm water and
add the flour. Mix together until you have a thick batter. Cover with a damp
cloth, and leave at room temperature to ferment for at least 6 hours or overnight.
The biga may separate in this period of time; simply stir it back together. (To keep
your biga going, feed with a bit of warm water and flour each day, and mix
together, or simply mix in a small offcut from the fresh dough.)
2To make the dough, mix the yeast and the sugar, and break up with a
teaspoon until you have a smooth paste. Whisk this into the warm water
with the biga and the olive oil. Sift the flour and salt into a bowl, and mix in the
yeast liquid. Mix together until you form a dough. Turn onto a floured board, and
knead vigorously for 12–15 minutes until the dough is shiny and elastic. It should
be springy to the touch.
3Lightly flour a bowl and place the ball of dough in it. Cover and leave in a
warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1½ hours.
Two types of bread To make a simple loaf, flour a baking tray and shape the
dough on the tray. Allow to prove for 10 minutes. Bake in a preheated 425°F
(220°C) oven for 25–35 minutes until golden, depending on the size and depth
of the loaf. It is ready when the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Alternatively, take pieces of dough about the size of tennis balls and flatten until
½in (1cm) thick. Heat a splash of olive oil in a heavy pan over medium-high heat.
Cook the rounds one at a time for 2–3 minutes on one side until golden. Turn
over and cook for 2 more minutes on the other side. Sprinkle with salt and
drizzle with some extra virgin olive oil. Eat piping hot.

TOMATO SOUP

Boil together six medium potatoes, a celery, two leeks, two carrots, and a pound of fresh tomatoes, with
pepper, salt and a leaf of bay. Pass all through the sieve. Fry two or three chopped onions in some butter and
add the soup to them. Boil up again for twenty minutes before serving. If you have no fresh tomatoes, the
tinned ones can be used, removing the skin, at the same time that you add the fried onions.

Quaglie marinate con salsa di capperi Marinated quail with caper sauce

Serves 2–4 as a starter
2 quail
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 small dried red chili, finely crushed
pinch of salt
finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh marjoram,
thyme, or oregano leaves
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey
½ cup dry white wine
2 tbsp coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
2 tbsp pine nuts or blanched almonds,
dry-roasted until pale golden
freshly ground black pepper
For the caper sauce
1 preserved lemon (see p124), chopped
1 tbsp salt-packed capers, rinsed, drained,
squeezed dry, and chopped
2 tbsp coarsely chopped fresh marjoram
or basil leaves
1 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1Soak 4 bamboo skewers in cold water for at least 30 minutes. Place 1 quail
breast-side down on a clean work surface. Using kitchen shears, carefully
cut around and remove the triangular piece of the backbone with the wishbone
attached. Use the side of a heavy knife to flatten the bird. Insert a bamboo
skewer through a wing, then through the leg meat. Repeat on the other side so
that the bird is pinned flat. Repeat this process with the other quail.
2Mince the garlic and chili with a pinch of salt to make a paste. Combine with
the remaining marinade ingredients except for the parsley and pine nuts in a
shallow glass or ceramic dish. Add the quail and season with pepper. Marinate in
the refrigerator, covered, for at least 2 hours. Combine all the ingredients for the
caper sauce. Check the seasoning—it should be salty and sour.
3Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Heat an ovenproof grill pan until very hot.
Remove the birds from the marinade, and season. Grill skin-side down for 3–4
minutes or until the skin is a deep, rich brown. Turn over and transfer the whole pan
to the oven for 5 minutes. (The juices should run rose pink when a knife is inserted
close to the leg bone.) Pour the remaining marinade into a small saucepan and
reduce by half, for 3–4 minutes. Serve with the hot marinade poured over the birds,
a spoonful of caper sauce, and a scattering of pine nuts and parsley over the top.

Croquetas de bacalao Salt cod croquettes

Serves 4–6
8oz (225g) salt cod, soaked in several
changes of cold water in the refrigerator
for 24 hours (or use skinless, boneless
cod fillet)
2 cups milk
2 bay leaves
1 large, all-purpose potato, about 10oz
(300g), peeled and cut into large chunks
1 shallot, peeled and finely grated
1 tbsp flour
1 bunch flat-leaf parsley, coarsely chopped
½ tsp pimentón or good-quality paprika
sunflower oil for deep frying
salt and freshly ground black pepper
tomato sauce or salsa for serving
1Drain the salt cod and rinse well. Place in a saucepan with the milk and
bay leaves. Slowly bring to a boil, and simmer gently for 4–5 minutes. Using
a slotted spoon, transfer the cod from the pan to a large bowl, then put the
potato chunks into the same saucepan. Add water to cover if necessary, and
simmer for 15–20 minutes or until tender.
2Meanwhile, shred the cooked salt cod with your fingers, and add to a bowl
with the shallot, flour, three-quarters of the parsley, and pimentón. Drain the
potatoes well, and add to the cod mixture. Toss to mix. Use a potato masher to
mash everything together; the mixture can be quite coarse. Taste and season
with salt and pepper if necessary. The mixture should be salty and sweet, with a
warmth from the pimentón and black pepper. Scoop out spoonfuls of the mixture,
form roughly into bite-size oval shapes, and place on a floured baking sheet.
3In a large, heavy saucepan, heat oil to a depth of about 1½in (3cm) over
medium-high heat for 5 minutes until shimmering, or until a small amount
of the croquette mixture turns golden in about 45 seconds. Working in batches
as needed, carefully lower 6 croquettes into the oil, one by one, using a slotted
spoon. As soon as they turn golden on all sides (3–4 minutes), remove with the
slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, keeping them warm while you fry the
remaining croquettes in the same manner. Serve at once with generous spoonfuls
of tomato dipping sauce or salsa.

Carciofi ripieni alla griglia Grilled artichokes with garlic, chilies, and pine nuts

Serves 4–6
2⁄3 cup pine nuts
4 garlic cloves, halved and any green inner
shoot removed
2 small dried red chilies
1 small bunch of flat-leaf parsley leaves,
finely chopped
3 tbsp good-quality extra virgin olive
oil plus extra for serving
juice of 2 lemons
18 baby artichokes (in season in spring and
early summer)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
lemon wedges for serving
1Heat a charcoal grill until the coals are white-hot. Toast the pine nuts in a
dry frying pan over medium-high heat for 2–3 minutes until golden brown.
Watch carefully as they burn very easily. Finely chop the garlic, and finely crush
the dried chilies with a pinch of salt. Mix together the pine nuts, garlic, chilies,
parsley, olive oil, and lemon juice. Season well with salt and pepper.
2Take an artichoke and trim down the stem. Pull the leaves apart, without
pulling them off. Work your way to the center of the artichoke. Using a
teaspoon, remove the hairy choke by scraping in a circular motion. Take a tsp
of pine nut mixture and push it down toward the base. Add another spoonful of
filling and spread it among the central inner leaves. Repeat with the remaining
artichokes. Season the inside of the artichokes with salt and pepper.
3Carefully place the artichokes among the white-hot coals, keeping them
upright. Grill for 8–10 minutes, turning occasionally and cooking in batches if
necessary. To test whether they are cooked, hold an artichoke with a pair of tongs.
Insert the tip of small sharp knife into the base just above the stem. It should be
soft. If not, cook for a few more minutes. Remove from the heat. Cool slightly.
4Have some extra virgin olive oil and the lemon wedges ready. Pull off and
discard the blackened outside leaves. Pour a little extra virgin olive oil into
the center and squeeze with lemon. Peel off and eat the inner leaves. The soft,
pale center can be eaten in a couple of mouthfuls, stalks and all.

Mustazzoli Honey and nut pastries

Serves 4–6
For the pastry
3 cups all-purpose flour
6–8 tbsp lard or unsalted butter
3¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
2–4 tbsp milk
For the filling
12oz (350g) assorted shelled nuts, such as
fresh walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts
½ cup honey
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
grated zest of 1 orange
1 tsp almond extract
confectioners’ (powdered) sugar for dusting
1To make the pastry dough, sift the flour into a bowl. Rub 6 tbsp of the
lard into the flour between your fingers, until it resembles the texture of
breadcrumbs. Mix in the sugar, then add the eggs and milk, mixing until you
have a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Make the filling
while the pastry dough is resting.
2Heat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the nuts on a baking sheet, and
roast for 3–5 minutes until golden brown all over, shaking halfway through
to make sure they do not burn. Remove the nuts from the oven, and increase
the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
3In a small saucepan, combine the honey with ¼ cup water. Bring the liquid
to a boil. Stir in the 2 tbsp flour, little by little, until you have a smooth paste.
Add the orange zest and almond extract. Coarsely chop the toasted nuts and stir
them in. Remove from the heat, and let cool completely.
4To make the pastries, divide the dough into two equal pieces. Roll out one
piece to form a rectangle approximately 2 x 4in (5 x 10cm) and ¼in (½cm)
thick. Spoon half the nut mixture onto the long side of the pastry rectangles, and
roll the pastry over a couple of times to make a long nut swirl. Repeat with the
second half of the pastry. Use the remaining lard to grease a length of baking
parchment as long as the pastry rolls. Place the baking parchment on a baking
sheet, then place the rolls onto the baking parchment. Cut the rolls into small
squares of roughly ¾in (2cm)—the shapes can be a little irregular. Bake in the
oven for 15–20 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and let cool. Dust
the finished pastries with confectioners’ sugar and serve.

Triglie de scoglio Pan-fried red mullet with preserved lemon, olives, and parsley

Serves 4
2 lemons
3 tbsp rock salt
1 garlic clove, halved and any green inner
shoot discarded
30 black olives, pitted and coarsely
chopped
½–1 fresh red jalapeño or serrano chili,
seeded and finely chopped
20 fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
20 flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
juice of 1 lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
a little light olive oil
4 fresh red mullet or other small firm, lean
fish, 9–14oz (250–400g) each, gutted,
scaled, and cleaned
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1To make the preserved lemon, put the lemons into a small, tight-fitting pan.
Cover with water and add the rock salt. Place a small lid or saucer on top
of the lemons to keep them submerged. Bring to a boil, and simmer until tender
when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife, 8–10 minutes. Refresh under cold
running water. When the lemons are cool, cut in half, remove all the flesh and pith,
and discard. Using a thin sharp knife, trim the inside of the skin, removing any
remaining traces of the bitter white pith. Finely chop the lemon skin and set aside.
2Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Using the back of a knife, crush the
garlic with a little sea salt, until a smooth paste forms. Mix together the
garlic, olives, chili, basil, parsley, and preserved lemon. Add the lemon juice
and olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
3Take one of the red mullet and pat dry with paper towels. Stuff the cavity
with some of the olive and lemon mixture. Repeat the process with the
remaining mullet. Season the fish inside and out with salt and pepper. Heat a little
oil in an frying pan over medium-high heat. Pan-fry the mullet for 3 minutes. Turn
gently and cook the other side for 2 minutes. Transfer the mullet to a baking dish,
and bake in the oven for 5 minutes or until cooked through. (Alternatively, either
grill the fish or bake entirely in the oven.) Serve at once with some mixed greens
or braised spinach. The smoky roasted mullet and the stuffing combine brilliantly.

Ravioli di Carnalivari Sweet fried ravioli

Serves 6
For the pasta
4 cups bread flour
6 tbsp sugar
pinch of sea salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk
For the filling
12oz (350g) fresh ricotta cheese
3½oz (100g) caster sugar
grated zest of 1 lemon
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
1½oz (45g) bittersweet chocolate (at least
70% cocoa solids), grated
2 tbsp candied orange and lemon
peel, finely chopped
a little beaten egg yolk for brushing
about 1 cup light olive oil
confectioners’ (powdered) sugar for dusting
1To make the pasta, rub the flour, sugar, salt, and butter together until the
texture of breadcrumbs. Mix in the egg yolk, vanilla, and milk to form a
small ball of dough. Let rest for 30 minutes.
2Meanwhile, mix together the ricotta, sugar, lemon zest, cinnamon, and
vanilla until smooth. Stir in the chocolate and orange and lemon peel. Taste
and adjust the flavors to your liking.
3To finish the ravioli, roll out the pastry to about ¼in (½cm) thick. Using a
biscuit cutter or small plate, cut into discs 4–5in (10–12cm) in diameter.
Spoon the ricotta paste onto the bottom half of the disc, in a half-moon shape,
leaving a small rim. Brush the rim with egg yolk. Fold the pastry over and, with
a cupped hand, carefully squeeze any air bubbles out of the filling. Seal the
edges tightly—otherwise the ravioli will open while cooking.
4Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. When hot, shallow-fry 2 or
3 pastries at a time in batches. Cook for 3–4 minutes until golden all over.
Drain on paper towels. Let cool, then dust with confectioners’ sugar and serve.
Variation For a different taste, substitute dried fruits such as figs and apricots for
the candied peel. Or you could use roasted pistachio nuts, or perhaps a coffee
and chocolate combination.

Pastizzi tar-rikotta Savory ricotta-filled pastries

Makes 15–20
For the pastry
3½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted
½ tsp salt
½–2⁄3 cup (4½–5½oz) lard or butter
For the filling
1lb (450g) ricotta
3 eggs, beaten
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1To make the pastry, mix the flour and salt with about 1 cup cold water in
a bowl until it forms a soft, pliable but not sticky dough. Knead well, then
let rest for about 1½ hours. Set the dough on a floured work surface and cut
into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into a long rectangle about 13⁄4in (4cm) wide. Roll,
stretch, and pull each one into long strips. Spread half the lard over the entire
length of each strip of dough, first with a small metal spatula, then with clean, dry
hands. Take one end of one strip of the dough and roll it up like a pinwheel (when
rolling it up, do it unevenly—sometimes turning the dough tightly; sometimes
more loosely). Repeat with the remaining two strips of dough. Rest the dough
in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
2Take the rolled strips of dough out of the refrigerator and roll them flat again
on a floured work surface. Spread with the remaining lard. Roll the strips like
a pinwheel once again, this time in a different direction from the first roll—all this
rolling enhances the flakiness of the finished pastry. Rest the pastry in the
refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
3Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). To make the filling, put the ricotta
in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Mash the ricotta with a fork,
then add the beaten egg. Using a sharp knife, cut off pieces of dough 3⁄4–11⁄4in
(2–3cm) in diameter. Next, using your fingers and thumb, press down on each
ball so that it is a thin flat disc. Put a tablespoon of the seasoned ricotta cheese
mix in the middle of each circle. Fold each circle from the top and the bottom to
the center, and squeeze the edges of the pastry together with your fingers to seal
the pocket (the horizontal ends form into points). Place the pastizzi on a lightly
oiled baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until the pastry
is golden and flaky.

Pollo con olive, cipolla e rosmarino ripieno Poussin stuffed with olives, onion, and rosemary

Serves 4
4 onions, thinly sliced
3½oz (100g) black olives, pitted and
coarsely chopped
5 fresh rosemary sprigs, chopped
4 garlic cloves, halved and any green inner
shoot discarded
2 small dried red chilies, crushed
2 tbsp olive oil plus a little extra
juice of 1 lemon
4 poussins or baby chickens, about
1lb 2oz (500g) each
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Preheat the oven 400°F (200°C). In a bowl, combine the onions, olives,
and rosemary. Finely chop the garlic with the dried chilies. Add to the onion
mixture with the 2 tbsp olive oil and the lemon juice. Mix well and season with
salt and pepper. Stuff each chicken with a generous amount of the stuffing.
2Heat a little oil in a heavy ovenproof frying pan over medium-high
heat. Season the outside of the chickens with salt and pepper. Brown
the chickens in the pan, turning once to brown on all sides. When browned,
transfer the whole pan to the oven and roast for 30–35 minutes until the meat
is tender, basting regularly with all the roasting juices. (If cooking a larger chicken,
allow a longer cooking time—usually 1 hour to 1 hour 20 minutes or so.)
To check, insert the tip of a small knife near the bone; if the juices run clear,
the chicken is cooked.
3Serve the chickens with piping-hot home-made french fries or roasted
potatoes, or with a green salad with bitter and peppery leaves.
Note To try to be more authentic (but without using a spit or rotisserie), place
a pan of hand-cut french fries splashed with a little olive oil and seasoned with
salt and pepper at the bottom of the oven while you are cooking the chicken.
Put the chicken on a rack above the potatoes, so that all the juices drip onto the
potatoes. Turn the potatoes regularly during cooking, and pour any leftover juices
from inside the chicken over the top just before serving.

Cipolle d’inverno e pancetta alla griglia Grilled scallions wrapped in pancetta

Serves 8
24 scallions (green onions), trimmed
and peeled
good-quality olive oil
16 thin pancetta slices
2 lemons, cut into wedges
crushed dried red chilies
a few fresh basil or arugula leaves (optional)
fresh Italian bread such as ciabatta or
focaccia, or other crusty bread rolls
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Place the scallions in a bowl, and drizzle with a little olive oil. Season well
with salt and pepper; toss to coat.
2On a clean work surface, lay out two strips of pancetta side by side, with
the long sides together. Repeat with all the pancetta, so that you have a bit
of a production line. Place 3 scallions at one end of each of the pancetta strips,
and roll the pancetta tightly around the scallions to cover. Grill on a preheated hot
barbecue or grill pan, or under a hot broiler, for a couple of minutes on each side
until golden and crispy. Transfer to a cutting board, and cut into small ¾in (2cm)
chunks. (Cutting up the scallions makes them much easier to eat.)
3Split open a crusty bread roll and put the scallion pieces inside. Drizzle
with a little olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze a little lemon
juice over the top, and sprinkle with a few crushed chilies. Add a few basil or
arugula leaves. Sandwich the filled roll together, and place on the barbecue or
under the broiler for a couple of minutes each side so that it is toasted.
4Eat at once, with your sleeves rolled up and lots of paper napkins on hand.
This dish is ideal as part of a summer picnic or barbecue, or as a starter
before the main meat or fish is grilled. Alternatively, chop the grilled scallion into
pieces, pile on top of crostini, drizzle with a little olive oil, and sprinkle with
chopped basil or arugula. Season with the lemon and crushed chilies, and eat
with your fingers.

Crispeddi Semolina flour fritters

Serves 6–8
2 small cakes (0.6oz each) fresh yeast
1 cup hot water (about 110°F/43°C)
4–5½ cups semolina flour
¾ cup fresh ricotta
4 salt-packed anchovies, chopped
1 tbsp salt-packed capers, rinsed, drained,
squeezed dry, and chopped
1 tsp chopped fennel fronds or
½ tsp crushed fennel seeds
pinch of sea salt
pinch of sugar
light olive oil for deep frying
freshly ground black pepper
1Mix the yeast with a little of the hot water to make a paste. Put the semolina
flour in a large bowl. Make a well in the center, add the yeast paste and the
remaining hot water, and whisk to make a batter. Let rise in a warm, draft-free
spot for 2 hours, as you would with bread dough.
2Mix the ricotta with the anchovy and capers. Add lots of black pepper and
the fennel, salt, and sugar. Roll the ricotta mixture into balls about 3⁄4in (2cm)
in diameter. Use a little oil on your hands so that they do not stick. Heat the oil in
a heavy pan over medium-high heat. Dip the balls into the batter and, using a
spoon, drop very gently into the pan to avoid splattering. Cook for 4–5 minutes
or until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels and serve at once.
Panelle (chickpea fritters) This much-loved snack is often served sandwiched
in a ciabatta roll. It is best eaten piping hot and fresh from the oven. Mix 3¾ cups
chickpea flour with a pinch of salt, 2 tbsp olive oil, and 5½ cups water in a heavy
saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously with a wooden spoon,
to prevent the mixture from sticking. Continue cooking for 20 minutes, or until the
mixture starts to pull away from the edges. Season with salt and black pepper.
Line a bread pan with plastic wrap. Pour the batter into the pan, and cover the
surface with another layer of plastic wrap. Let sit until firm, at least 2 hours.
Heat a baking sheet in the oven at 400°F (200°C). Turn out the loaf onto a work
surface and cut into thin slices. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and
add a splash of olive oil. Place the slices on the tray, and return to the oven.
Check after 4 minutes and, when the slices are golden brown, turn over to brown
on the other side. Serve at once with freshly grated Parmesan, coarsely chopped
flat-leaf parsley, some lemon wedges, and a few grindings of black pepper.

Pudim de abóbora Pumpkin pudding

Serves 4–6
11⁄2lb (675g) pumpkin (choose a sweet,
firm-fleshed variety) or butternut squash,
peeled and cut into cubes
4 large eggs
½ cup (packed) plus 2 tbsp brown sugar
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
1 cup half-and-half or light cream
butter to grease the mold
1Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Combine the pumpkin in a large
saucepan with a little water, and cook over medium heat until soft. Drain,
then mash until smooth, removing any stringy bits.
2Beat the eggs with half the brown sugar until pale and thick. Add the
remaining sugar, the spices, and the salt. Mix the half-and-half into the
pumpkin purée, then fold in the egg mixture.
3Lightly butter 6 individual ramekins or custard cups. Alternatively, to make
one large pudding, butter 1–1¼ quart soufflé dish or other baking dish. Set
the ramekins (or large dish) in a roasting pan and carefully fill the pan with enough
hot water to reach about halfway up the sides of the ramekins (or large dish).
Carefully place in the oven, and bake until just set or a toothpick comes out
clean—about 40 minutes for individual ramekins and 1 hour 20 minutes for
a large single pudding. Serve warm with biscotti or similar cookies.

Molho de cajú Green cashew nut sauce

Serves 8 or more
4 tbsp raw cashews
2 garlic cloves
2 fresh green jalapeño or serrano chilies,
seeded and diced
2 shallots, finely diced
½ cup olive oil or untoasted sesame oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
juice of 2 limes
½ bunch of fresh basil, coarsely chopped
½ bunch of cilantro, coarsely chopped
pinch of sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
pinch of sugar or a little freshly
squeezed orange juice (optional)
1Dry-roast the cashews over medium heat, watching carefully to avoid
burning, and turning frequently until they are golden brown all over.
2To make the sauce, first make a paste of the garlic and chilies in a food
processor or blender, then add the shallot and process until a coarse paste
forms. Now add the cooled cashews, and process once again until smooth.
With the motor running, very gradually add the oil in a thin, steady stream, then
add the vinegar and 1 tbsp water. With the motor on a low speed, add the lime
juice, then the basil and cilantro, until you have a smooth green paste. Taste
and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of sea salt and black pepper, and more
lime juice if needed. If the chilies are too hot, add a pinch of sugar or some
orange juice, if you like.

Mole pipian Pipian sauce with cinnamon

Serves 8
3 tbsp olive oil
2 dried red chilies
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 cup shelled raw peanuts
1 cup hulled raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
3 cloves
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp dried thyme
1 canned chipotle (smoked jalapeño
chili) in adobo sauce
1 tsp sugar
2½ cups chicken stock
juice of 1 lime
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the dried chilies and cook for a
minute, turning, until toasted. Transfer the chilies to a bowl, cover with hot
water, and soak for 20 minutes. When soft, cut off and discard the chili stem.
Discard some or all of the chili seeds, if desired. In the same pan, cook the onion
and the garlic, stirring occasionally until softened, adding a little extra oil if needed.
2In a separate pan over low heat, first toast the peanuts, then the pumpkin
seeds, watching carefully to make sure that they don’t burn. Transfer the
peanuts and pumpkin seeds to a food processor, and add the onion/garlic
mixture, soaked chilies, cloves, allspice, cinnamon, thyme, chipotle, and sugar.
Process with ½ cup of the chicken stock until smooth, working in small
batches, if necessary.
3Return the purée to the pan in which the onion was cooked and cook over
low heat. Add the remaining chicken stock, and stir until the sauce is the
texture of melted ice cream. Taste the sauce. There is a sweetness from the
onion and chicken stock, and the chilies and spices are hot. The roasted nuts
and salt add to its savory qualities. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary.
4Add the lime juice just before serving, to wake up the flavors and bring
them into balance. Serve with grilled or roasted meat.

Salsa verde Green tomato salsa

Serves 6
6 (unripe) green tomatoes
1 onion
2 garlic cloves
4 fresh green jalapeño or serrano chilies,
seeded and finely chopped
½ bunch cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
2 avocados
½ bunch parsley, coarsely chopped
juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Cut the tomatoes in half. Scoop out the center core of seeds and place in a
sieve over a bowl. Chop the flesh into a fine dice and set aside. Cut the onion
in half, and grate the flesh so that you are left with a pulp. Set this aside also.
2Cut the garlic in half and remove any green shoot from the center (this part
of the garlic is bitter and can cause digestive problems). Chop the garlic
finely. Using a large pestle and mortar, pound the garlic with the green chilies and
a pinch of salt to make a smooth paste. Add half of the cilantro leaves and all of
the onion to the paste. Still using the pestle and mortar, continue to pound until
you have a coarse green paste.
3Using a wooden spoon, push the tomato cores and their seeds through the
sieve into the pestle and mortar, extracting all the juice. Discard the seeds
and pour any juice that has collected in the bowl into the paste.
4Halve, peel, and pit the avocado. Cut the flesh into ½in (1cm) dice. Add the
avocado and green tomato to the paste. Pound a few times so part of it is
crushed and the remaining part remains as dice. Mix in the parsley and remaining
cilantro. Mix in the lime juice and olive oil. Season well with salt and pepper.
Check the seasoning. The avocado makes it sweet, the lime juice and green
tomato add the sour element, and the green chilies and black pepper supply
heat. The salsa should have a real tang and zip to it. Adjust the green chili
content to suit your taste, if necessary.
5Serve in a bowl or in a sandwich, or spread on steak, grilled lamb, grilled
chorizo, or sausages. It is great with just about anything.

Empanadas de marisco Seafood empanadas

Makes 12
olive oil for cooking
2 white onions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 fresh green jalapeño or serrano chilies,
seeded and finely chopped
½lb (225g) mussels in their shells
splash of white wine
¼lb (115g) peeled uncooked prawns
½lb (225g) white fish such as hake or cod
3 tomatoes, diced
juice of ½ lemon
1⁄2 bunch of cilantro, coarsely chopped
1 cup grated mild Cheddar cheese
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the pastry
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup yellow masa harina
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 stick (4oz) unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1Heat a little oil in a heavy frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion,
garlic, and chilies until soft. Remove from the pan. Add the mussels and a
splash of white wine to the pan, and cover. Steam for 3 minutes or until the
mussels open. Remove the mussels from the pan, discard the shells, and set the
meat aside. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve and return to a clean pan.
2Add the prawns, fish, tomato, and onion mixture to the cooking liquid.
Simmer gently for about 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and add
the lemon juice. Remove the solids with a slotted spoon, and add to the mussels.
Simmer the cooking liquid until reduced by one-third. Pour over the seafood, and
add the cilantro and grated cheese. Season to taste and set aside.
3Sift the flour, masa harina, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Stir in
the cooled melted butter. Whisk 1⁄3 cup water and 1 of the eggs in a small
bowl. Add to the flour mixture. Knead for 2 minutes until smooth and pliable.
4Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). On a floured surface, roll out the dough
until 1in (2.5cm) thick. Cut into 2–21⁄2in (5–6cm) rounds. Place a spoonful of
the seafood mixture just below the center of each round. Brush the edge of the
pastry with egg wash, then fold the top half over, to form a half-moon. Crimp the
edges together, squeezing out any air. Bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.

Sopa mexicana de flor de calabaza Mexican pumpkin flower soup

Serves 6
3½ cups good-quality chicken stock
a little olive oil
2 fresh green jalapeño or serrano chilies,
seeded and finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 onion, finely chopped
2 ripe tomatoes
8oz (225g) pumpkin flowers or
zucchini flowers
juice of 2 limes
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1Bring the chicken stock to a boil in a saucepan. Meanwhile, heat a large
heavy frying pan and add a little olive oil. Reserve some of the chilies to
garnish the soup, and cook the remainder in the hot oil with the garlic for
1–2 minutes or until fragrant. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally,
until pale golden brown.
2Cut the tomatoes in half, and grate the open side of each half on a large
grater. (This is a quick method of getting the pulp from the tomatoes; the
skin stays in your hand and can then be discarded.) Add the tomato to the pan
with the onion. Discard the stems from the pumpkin flowers and coarsely chop
the flowers, reserving 6 whole flowers for garnish. When the tomato has cooked
down slightly, add the chopped pumpkin flowers to the pan. Cook for 2 minutes
until the flowers are barely wilted. Pour in the hot chicken stock, and season
with salt and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
3While the soup is simmering, heat a small frying pan and add a little olive oil.
Cook the reserved whole pumpkin flowers until they are wilted and parts are
golden brown. Season with salt and pepper, and add the reserved green chilies.
Remove from the heat and set aside.
4Using a blender or food processor and working in batches as needed,
process the soup until smooth; return it to the pan. Add the lime juice. Taste
and adjust the seasoning—there should be a balance between the sweet onion,
chicken stock, spicy green chilies, and salt. The lime juice wakes up the flavors
and provides a delicious sour edge to this simple soup. To serve, pour into
bowls and garnish each with a whole pumpkin flower and some green chilies.