Abbracci are a beloved Italian cookie made by pairing a vanilla cream dough with a chocolate dough and shaping them together to resemble a hug. This version is inspired by the iconic Mulino Bianco Abbracci cookies commonly enjoyed at breakfast across Italy. The cookies are buttery, delicate, and delightfully crumbly with a gentle balance of vanilla and cocoa — not overly sweet and perfect with morning coffee or as a snack.
Table of Contents Introduction Regional Cuisine Daily Life and Eating Habits Family and Traditions A Recipe to Remember Introduction Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What town and region in Italy are you from? I was born in Milan in 1970. In May 2025 we opened Bela Tusa on Via Pietro Borsieri in … Read more
Roasted and marinated bell peppers flavored with garlic, fresh basil, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. This simple recipe brings out the peppers’ natural sweetness and creates a versatile marinated vegetable that works as an antipasto, a sandwich filling, a salad topper or a side dish. I love these marinated bell peppers because they … Read more
Roasted cherry tomato and ricotta pasta is a quick, family-friendly dish made with blistered cherry tomatoes, mellow roasted garlic, a pinch of chilli flakes and fresh basil. The sauce is creamy from ricotta and Parmigiano Reggiano but light enough for everyday meals, and it comes together with minimal effort—perfect for weeknights. This recipe is reliably … Read more
Caffè Shakerato is the Italian way to enjoy iced coffee: a shot of hot espresso sweetened and shaken with ice until icy cold, then served in a chilled cocktail glass. It’s elegant, intensely flavored and refreshingly light—perfect for warm afternoons, and surprisingly simple to prepare at home.
Torta Nua is a classic Italian-style breakfast cake built from a tender lemon sponge and generous spoonfuls of creamy vanilla-and-lemon pastry cream. The contrast between the light, airy cake and the silky, citrus-scented filling creates a simple yet memorable dessert that works beautifully for breakfast, brunch or an afternoon treat.
Inspired by a visit to Amalfi, this pizza celebrates deep, savoury umami: briny olives and capers, salty anchovies and fragrant oregano give each bite a bold, balanced flavour. It’s simple to assemble, yet packed with character — an ideal choice for a relaxed pizza night at home.
Traditional Piedmontese baked peaches (Pesche Ripiene) filled with crunchy amaretti cookies and dark chocolate. This simple Italian summer dessert is easy to prepare and delicious served warm with vanilla gelato or a spoonful of softly whipped cream.
A deeply flavorful, comforting ragu made with tender eggplant, Italian sausage, fennel and a splash of white wine. This hearty sauce develops rich layers of taste as it simmers and is perfect tossed with pasta and finished with plenty of freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano. If you want a warming, flavour-packed pasta dish, this sausage and … Read more
Creamy, fruity and utterly delicious, strawberry semifreddo is made with fresh, ripe strawberries and finished with a simple strawberry sauce. This easy Italian summer dessert is packed with bright flavour and is wonderfully cool and refreshing—perfect for warm weather when strawberries are at their best.
