Try to get hold of Tipo '00' flour - this is a very finely sieved flour, which is normally used for making egg pasta or cakes. In Italy it's called farina di grano tenero, which means 'tender' or 'soft' flour. Place the flour on a board or in a bowl. Make... read recipe
'Mac 'n' cheese' is a classic American pasta dish - everyone loves it. Sometimes it's done so badly in the convenience area, it's almost become famous for being horrible, but when you do it properly, trust me, it's an absolute killer. Feel free to use any... read recipe
This classic northern Italian recipe is a great way to serve aubergines. By layering them with Parmesan and tomatoes and then baking them you get an absolutely moreish, scrumptious vegetable dish. Great served with all sorts of roasted meats and with roasted... read recipe
This is such a wonderfully light and super-tasty cannelloni, and again I've avoided making the frustrating, painstaking béchamel sauce and given you a much tastier and simpler version. All you need to make sure of is that you fill the cannelloni well with... read recipe
Try these simple cannelloni - they're great as a vegetarian alternative. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/gas 5. Mix half the Parmesan, the mascarpone, the taleggio, the lemon zest and juice, and the walnuts. Put ¼ of the mixture to one side, then combine... read recipe
This pasta dish is loved all over Italy. It is eaten by families at gatherings or celebrations and is also something the monks I visited at the Abbazia di Farfa, just outside Rome, have every Sunday as a special lunch. I'm pleased to say my faith in this dish... read recipe
Home-made pasta sauce is so easy, and you can sling it together in around the time it takes to open a jar and heat it up. Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and add a good few lugs of olive oil. When the oil's hot, add the garlic and chili and... read recipe
I remember meeting a lovely old couple outside my parents' pub and when they heard I was going to Italy they told me to make sure I cooked turkey tetrazzini - I hadn't a clue what they were talking about and then, by chance, I saw a recipe for chicken tetrazzini... read recipe
This pasta sauce takes minutes to cook. What's great about this recipe for beginner cooks is that once you've done it a few times you can add other simple ingredients to your basic tomato sauce to completely transform it. Check out the end of the recipe, where... read recipe
This is a twist on the classic Carbonara, using spring peas and smoky bacon. A great combination and a great one for the kids. My girls just love it. First of all, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil, add the farfalle, and cook according to the... read recipe