Traditional Slow Cooked Ragu
For many Southern Italian families, Sunday lunch is all about il ragù—a dish rich in tradition, love, and ritual. Growing up, Sundays were filled with the irresistible aroma of a slow-simmering ragù bubbling away for hours. Back home, the kitchen became a lively hub of preparation, storytelling, and even prayer. From Slow: Easy, Comforting Italian Meals Worth Waiting For by Gennaro Contaldo (Pavilion Books). Photos: David Loftus.
Light plum tart
This light plum tart combines buttery puff pastry with sweet, juicy plums. Topped with a delicate redcurrant glaze, it bakes to golden perfection, creating a crisp, caramelized treat that's simple to make. Serve it warm with a dollop of crème fraîche or ice cream for a delightful dessert that’s sure to impress.
Beef & Pistachio Koftas, with Ricotta Dip & Homemade Flatbread
By Louise Sammut – Prep/cook: 30min – Makes: 25
A Glimpse into Bread-Making in 18th Century Malta
The importance that society metes out to an object may be gauged by the number of times that object crops up in daily conversation through idioms and proverbs. In Malta, bread (locally known as ħobż) tops the list in this respect, which is no surprise considering that since time immemorial bread has been the most staple amongst all staples in our diet.
Tomato & Pecorino Ravioli, Truffle
By Alan Tabone, Gracy's Arts & Supper Club – Serves: 4
Leek and Potato Tart
Serves 4 Prep time 40 minutes Ingredients 2 small leeks, thinly sliced 2 medium potatoes, thinly sliced 4 leaves of kale, roughly chopped Puff pastry, 1 sheet, packet or approx. 250g 2 packets of Fior Di Vita Mozzarella For Pizza, sliced 1 egg, whisked A small bunch of oregano Olive, salt and pepper Method Turn … <a href="https://served.mt/leek-potato-tart/">Continued</a>
The Famous Timpana
Serves 8-10 Prep time 3 hours Ingredients 1 medium sized aubergine Vegetable oil to fry 125g pork liver, chopped into 1cm cubes 500g mince pork 500g mince beef Salt and pepper 2 heaped tbsp Mutti Doppio Concentrato Tomato Paste 2 tins Mutti Polpa 2 tbsp sugar 4 fresh bay leaves 2 veal brains (optional but … <a href="https://served.mt/michael-diacono-timpana/">Continued</a>
Grilled Bread with Toppings
Grilled Bread Serves 4 Prep time 2 hours, Cooking time 20 minutes Ingredients Strong wheat flour 400g Wholemeal flour 100g Warm water 420g Yeast 20g Salt 10g Sunflower oil 40 ml Sugar 20g Method Add the salt and sugar to the water and mix in, till both have fully dissolved, next add the yeast and … <a href="https://served.mt/grilled-bread-with-toppings-2/">Continued</a>
Crunchy Penne Bake with Tomato & Mascarpone
Serves 2 Prep time 1 hr 15 minutes Ingredients 6 plum tomatoes 8 cloves garlic 2 tbsp olive oil 1 bayleaf salt and pepper 1 tbsp spiced honey 2 tbsp cider vinegar 2 cups water 80g mascarpone 250g penne 3 tbsp grated parmesan Salt to taste Pepper to taste Method Heat the olive oil in … <a href="https://served.mt/crunchy-penne-bake/">Continued</a>
The Breakfast Bagel
Ingredients 2 slices of back bacon 1 egg Mixed micro greens and baby spinach Method First fry the bacon until the fat has rendered and become nice and crispy. Save the bacon fat in the pan for frying your egg next. Toss the mixed greens with a touch of olive oil, salt and pepper, and … <a href="https://served.mt/the-breakfast-bagel/">Continued</a>
The Deli Bagel
Ingredients 2 slices mortadella ham 1 tbsp pistachio pesto 1 piece mozzarella di Bufala, sliced Method Most deli cold cuts or any ‘Prosciutto Cotto’ would be suitable for this combination. But for more of a Bologna-style recipe I went for a delicious Mortadella ham. Loosen the pistachio pesto with a few drops of olive oil, … <a href="https://served.mt/the-deli-bagel/">Continued</a>
Bagels
Serves 12 Ingredients 950gr Bread flour 50gr Wholewheat/ spelt/ rye 10gr dry yeast 20gr salt 1 medium egg 7g Malt powder (optional) 20 ml oil 415 ml water 1 tbs baking soda for boiling the bagels 1 tbs of honey for boiling the bagels Topping of your choice Method Preheat your oven to 240c. Weigh … <a href="https://served.mt/bagels/">Continued</a>
Monkey bread with banana and caramel jam
If you want to impress your friends at tea time, this one is for you! Serves 4-6 Prep time 4 hours Ingredients White flour, all purpose ,500g Eggs, whisked , 100g Whole milk, 300g Unsalted butter , 100g Salt , 10g White Sugar , 30g Yeast , 20g Brown sugar , 50g Cinnamon, ground , … <a href="https://served.mt/monkey-bread-with-banana-and-caramel-jam/">Continued</a>
Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter
Serves 4 Prep time 1.5 hours Floury potatoes, 800g Italian ‘00’ flour, 200g Egg, 1 medium 60g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated Salt and pepper, to taste Fresh sage leaves, 2tbsp chopped Butter, 4-6 tbsp. Method: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C. Pierce the potatoes a few times with a knife, place in the oven … <a href="https://served.mt/potato-gnocchi-with-sage-butter/">Continued</a>
Mushroom & Thyme Risotto
Serves 4 Prep time 90 minutes Ingredients 900ml vegetable broth 500g Brown common mushrooms 250g arborio rice 50g nutritional yeast Half cup white wine Half cup olive oil 3 stalks fresh thyme or 1 tsp dry ½ tsp salt 1 onion ½ a celery stick Method Sauté 250g of the mushrooms until soft. Place the … <a href="https://served.mt/mushroom-thyme-risotto/">Continued</a>
Linguine with Prawns
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Ingredients 3 green zucchini 2 cloves of garlic 1 fresh red chili 1 bunch of fresh parsley 500g linguine Extra virgin olive oil 400g raw peeled prawns 1 lime Method Finely grate the zucchini. Peel and finely slice the garlic, then deseed and finely slice the chilies. Pick and … <a href="https://served.mt/linguine-with-prawns-3/">Continued</a>
Farfalle with Zucchini and Mint Pesto
Serves 4 Prep time 25 minutes Ingredients 400g Farfalle 2-3 zucchini 30g pine nuts 8 fresh mint leaves 50g grated Pecorino Romano cheese 50g grated Parmigiano cheese Extra virgin olive oil 1 pinch of salt 1 clove of garlic 14-16 cherry tomatoes different colors, I used red and yellow Method Put a pot of salted … <a href="https://served.mt/farfalle-with-zucchini-and-mint-pesto/">Continued</a>
Spaghetti Broad Beans
Featuring this seasons’ star, broad beans, this dish is quick, easy, light and fresh, perfect for a light lunch or a sharing pasta dish. Serves 4 Prep time: 40 minutes Ingredients 400g Spaghetti 4 artichokes 1 lemon for acidulated water 600g broad beans, young, pods 500g peas, young, in their pods 1 large white, sliced … <a href="https://served.mt/spaghetti-broad-beans/">Continued</a>
Carnival-Time Lasagne
Serves 6 This typical southern Italian lasagne is usually made for special occasions such as Carnevale – the week before Lent when festivities all over Italy take place. Lent is traditionally a time when eating meat is forbidden, so a lasagne such as this one – with meat ragù and sausage – would be made … <a href="https://served.mt/carnival-time-lasagne/">Continued</a>
Baked Pasta Shells Filled with Mushrooms and Ham
Serves 4 Prep time 30 minutes Ingredients 3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 150g prosciutto, very finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 750g mushrooms, very finely chopped 2 tbsp. white wine 2 tbsp. chopped flat-leaf parsley Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Ingredients for the white sauce 3 tbsp. butter Generous ¼ cup plain (all-purpose) … <a href="https://served.mt/baked-pasta-shells-filled-with-mushrooms-and-ham/">Continued</a>