A collection of recipes of traditional Italian first courses, including Minestrone, Risottos, Fresh Egg Pasta, Gnocchi, Pesto Sauce, and more.

Puttanesca Pasta Sauce

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This is a great, quick pasta sauce to make while your pasta is cooking. The ingredients are typical of Southern Italy and it apparently became popular in the 1960s.

Eggplant, tomato and basil sauce with ricotta

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This simple sauce relies on good eggplants (aubergines), tasty, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and a good ricotta cheese. A real treat in the autumn at our cooking school in Tuscany!

Ragù ~ Rich Meat and Vegetable Sauce

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There are dozens of versions of ragù which are favourites in different regions of Italy. During our cooking classes in Tuscany, we teach this Tuscan version (using not much tomato).
pomarola

Pomarola ~ Simple fresh tomato and basil sauce

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5 Comments
During our cooking vacations in Italy, we teach you various tomato sauces, some that are packed with tasty vegetables and some that have a purer tomato taste. This simple sauce relies on good, tasty, ripe tomatoes, fresh basil and a good olive oil.

Risotto

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3 Comments
The best types of rice for making risotto are: Arborio, Carnaroli and Vialone nano. These have round grains and are starchy, becoming creamy when cooked.
gnocchi

Potato Gnocchi & Potato and Spinach Gnocchi

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The less flour you use, the lighter the gnocchi will be, but the more likely it will be to go mushy while you wait to cook it, handle it and when it is cooking in the water.

Vegetable-based Tomato Sauce

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This is a good alternative to a classic tomato and basil sauce. It has more texture and a more subtle, less tart flavour.Great with potato gnocchi, pasta, or any recipe that calls for a tomato-based sauce.

Fresh Basil Pesto

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In the summer, nothing beats the pungent, aromatic flavours and satisfying texture of a home-made pesto sauce.

Fresh Egg Pasta

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6 Comments
Many people who come to our cooking school in Italy feel intimidated by the idea of making pasta from scratch. Once they see how easy and enjoyable it is, they become hooked! Put some music on in your kitchen, and take your time.

Asparagus sauce for pasta

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Asparagus is available for only a very short season. We love it and try to eat it in as many ways as possible before the long wait for the next harvest.