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.
Tomato & Pecorino Ravioli, Truffle
By Alan Tabone, Gracy's Arts & Supper Club – Serves: 4
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>
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>
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>
Tagliatelle with Radicchio and Speck
Serves 4 Prep time 60 minutes Ingredients 550g fresh tagliatelle (fresh pasta) 200g Sudtiroler speck, diced ½ small onion finely chopped 15 leaves of radicchio, cut julienne 1 glass red dry wine 3-4 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese Freshly ground pepper 100ml Extra Virgin Olive oil Salt Method Wash the radicchio. Finely chop the onion … <a href="https://served.mt/tagliatelle-with-radicchio-and-speck/">Continued</a>
Tomato Fondue Risotto
Serves 2 Prep time 30 minutes Ingredients for grilled asparagus 2 Asparagus Ingredients for tomato fondue 1kg fresh tomatoes 2 large onions 2 celery sticks 4 garlic cloves 50g tomato paste 20g sugar 30g butter 4 sprigs thyme Basil leaves Ingredients for risotto 2 cups Carnaroli rice 2 sprigs thyme 2 knobs butter 100ml vegetable … <a href="https://served.mt/risotto-3/">Continued</a>
Mushroom Gnocchi
Serves 4 Prep time 180 minutes TIP: For extra decadence add sliced fresh truffle. To garnish: sautéed wild mushrooms, grated Parmesan and sliced raw mushrooms. Ingredients For Gnocchi 200g potato puree (use large potatoes skin on) 60g fine semolina 20g egg 40g grated Parmesan Pinch of salt 5g dried mushroom powder Ingredients For Mushroom Puree … <a href="https://served.mt/mushroom-gnocchi/">Continued</a>
Fusilli with Swordfish
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Ingredients 400g Rummo Fusilli No. 48 2 swordfish steaks (diced) 6 sage leaves 6 – 10 cherry tomatoes 2 garlic cloves Parsley Olive oil Butter Method Bring water to the boil and throw in pasta. Add oil and garlic to a pan and cook till translucent, adding in the … <a href="https://served.mt/fusilli-with-swordfish/">Continued</a>
Tagliatelle Nests with Quail Breast
Serves 2 Prep time 25 minutes Ingredients 200g Rummo Tagliatelle No. 107 2 quail breasts Butter 100g mushrooms or porcini 1 onion 2 garlic cloves Handful of parsley Olive Oil Method In a shallow wide pot, bring water to the boil for pasta. Add pasta nests. Fry onion in oil and butter till translucent and … <a href="https://served.mt/pasta-2/">Continued</a>
Casarecce with Seared Duck Breast
Serves 2 Prep time 25 minutes Ingredients 200g Rummo Casarecce No. 88 6 – 8 carrots 2 chilli (depending on heat) 4 garlic cloves Handful coriander 1 tbsp tomato puree (Kunserva) Pepper & Salt Olive Oil Vegetable stock or pasta water 1 duck breast Method Sear the duck breast on the fatty skin side down … <a href="https://served.mt/casarecce-with-seared-duck-breast/">Continued</a>
Paccheri with Italian Sausage
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Ingredients 2 cloves garlic, chopped 500g Italian or good quality pork sausage I large fennel thinly sliced Fennel seeds 1/2 tsp chilli flakes 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped 500g Rummo paccheri Double cream 4 tbsp. grated Pecorino or Parmesan extra virgin Olive Oil Method In a large deep sided … <a href="https://served.mt/paccheri-with-italian-sausage/">Continued</a>
Linguine Red Prawns and Courgettes
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Ingredients 500g Rummo linguine 3 small courgettes 2 cloves of garlic 12 fresh red chillies 1 bunch parsley 1 large knob of unsalted butter extra virgin olive oil 600g raw local red prawns, peeled ½ lemon Method Grate the courgettes lengthways. Peel and finely slice the garlic, then deseed … <a href="https://served.mt/linguine-red-prawns-and-courgettes/">Continued</a>
Buccatini Amatriciana
Serves 4 Prep time 20 minutes Ingredients 500g Rummo bucatini 250g cubed pancetta(cut into 1/4-inch cubes) 1 chilli pepper (smashed) 1 brown onion 375g whole tomatoes or passata 1 tbsp. tomato paste 1/2 tsp. salt 30g Pecorino Romano (finely grated) Method Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil. Add the pancetta … <a href="https://served.mt/buccatini-amatriciana/">Continued</a>