Posts by: Chiara Cla

Hil I'm in Italy so I'm always buying Parmesan (parmigiano) in large quantities. Anyway the best way I've found it to first wrap it in greaseproof paper or baking paper, then put in a plastic bag in the fridge, mine lasts for months like this.

There's a supermarket in Calpe which sells them too

I've lived in Italy foe 4 years an never seen anyone do it !

I've been given 22 bulbs of garlic from a friend's allotment. Does anyone know how long garlic lasts ? How to store to maximise its life and any good recipes to use it up?!

I've also been given some strange apples (not English but Italian), they have a stone in the centre, but I don't know what type they are. Any ideas???

Finally I've also been given a lot of fennel, again any ideas would be appreciated !

It is always masculine i.e Antipasto (singular) or Antipasto (plural) Pasto means 'dinner'.

Help, my postings keep disappering, I've noticed two have gone this week. Does anyone know why ? They didn't contain anything strange or use bad language.

Never never never buy tinned grated parmesan! Having lived in Italy for some years, you will never find this product here - why ? because it tastes nothing like the real stuff. I use Grana usually as it's cheaper but tastes similar, but you can't beat Parmigiano. Even the 'cheap' shops like Aldi sell Parmigino I think.I understand that you need a lot, maybe try an Italian website where they will post it to you. I usually pay in Italy €14.00 per kilo, this should give you a price guide.

have you got the oven at the correct temp? 150 c then turn down to 145c when you put them in . Cook for 1 hour, leave in th eoven til they are cold. Also make sure your mixing bowl is really clean by wiping the inside with 1/2 lemon 1st.

Blandine you need to find a way to stop the pop up ad's, some one did it for me & now I don't get any.

Hi Mrs Woof Woof, I'm not really sure how long they last as we eat them within the week that I made them. I'll ask around & see if anyone here knows.

I make something similar eith courgettes, but I think it will work for aubergine too. slice the aubergine & fry in good oilve oil until lightly cooked. in a different pan heat a tablespoon of white whie vinegar and a little chilli. When the aubergines have finished frying put into a dish to cool, with the oil they were cooked in, then add the vinegar & chilli, season to taste. When cool put in a clean jar or similar with all the liquid & top up with a little oil if needed to cover the aubergines. they ae now ready to eat.

Windsor, Ciao, I'm in Italy too, I don't know where you live but here in Milano the larger brances of Esselunga sell creme fraiche.

I also agree, Delia is great for learning to cook, I think she gives you the confidence to go ahead & make something, then when you're more experienced you can try the more tricky stuff.

We have this in Italy too, it's amazingly thick and intense with flavour.

How about Italian Spumante or Prosecco, they are both lovely to drink, you can find sweet or dry, but check the label says DOC on it to guarantee quality.

I think Tesco might sell it, always check the label says DOC (denominazione di origine controlla) it is a guarantee for the quality of the wine. This goes for any Italian wine.

Truffles from Alba (Italy) grated onto Pasta & also made into a pate. I've never eaten anything so heavenly in my life.

When I lived in England it was any roast meal, but it had to contain cauliflower cheese, second choice would have been a huge bowl of mash. Now living in Italy I think it has to be home made lasange or Carbonara.

Anna - ciao from Milano ! The tomatoes you mean are called Plum tomatoes in English. Are Paccino tomatoes DOC ? I spent a holiday there, the best tomaotes I've ever eaten. Jax - try cherry tomatoes as Anna says, they are lovely with a little salt,origano & oil for a bruschetta, for a sauce we quite often use good quality tinned ones (plum tomatoes) if fresh aren't in season.

Rabbit is nice cooked in white wine ( use a strong white from Sicily) , sage & rosemary, cook like you would a chicken chasseur, serve with yummy mash & veg. It's a big thing here in Italy ,so you shouold find some recipes on the net

Oooh there are lots, how about carbonara or simply with chilli, garlic, oil & cheese. Spaghetti with cockles (clams) is nice, or broccoli with cheese. I like pasta iwth blue cheese & mange tout. How about with smoked salmon & a dash of cream, or with strips of grilled aubergine, courgette & red pepper. I also have a problem with tomatoes, i get really sore throats if I eat them uncooked.

Hi ! does anyone have a recipe for a diabetic cake for my father in laws birthday, he loves dark chocolate which I have bought already, he suffers from diabetes type 2, I don't know if this makes a difference to the recipe.

I found a Lagostina coffee maker in TK Max, even IKEA sell them, you shouldn't have any problems finding one, just remember never wash it, only rinse, the first few times the coffe wil taste bitter but believe me it improves (drinking one now!) Pile high with coffee & screw on the top!

Ooops! Will teach me to read when on the phone! Never mind, it's a nice recipe & the only way I will eat courgettes (in ratatouille - yuck). Thanks Snoozy!

Hello ? (you have no name!) I love pressure cookers and use mine all the time, I love it for cooking joints of meat, they only take 10 mins what could be better! I think in the UK pressure cookers have a bad name, I live in Italy & everyone uses them