This is a very tasty pasta dish because of the sweet tasting red mullet and cherry tomatoes. The addition of the black olives add a saltiness that works really well. The pangratto adds a crunch that makes the whole dish very appetising.

serves 2
You might need to buy:
  • 200g linguine
  • red mullet fillets
  • 1tsp chopped parsley
  • 5tbls of good quality olive oil
  • For the pangratto:
  • 100g roughly chopped stale bread
  • 200ml of sunflower oil
  • Salt

This is a really simple recipe and a great way to cook fresh shellfish without over cooking it and enjoying its natural sweetness… Using Cannellini beans from a jar will give you a better result but if you use the tinned ones just make sure you rinse off the liquid in the tin before you add them to the reduced tomato sauce. Try this with a glass of Fiano di Avalino.

You might need to buy:
  • tomato passata or 1 tin of chopped italian tomatoes
  • 300g of cooked cannellini beans from a jar or a tin
  • chopped flat leaf parsley
  • tbls of olive oil

This is the best soup to warm you up. Its healthy, filling, vegetarian and very easy to prepare. The swiss chard adds an earthy sweetness to the soup and you can use the cooking water as stock. If you puree half of the soup you get a lovely creamy minestrone that has great texture and flavour. Serve with a drizzle of good olive oil on top. A glass of Chianti Classico would be a perfect match. Have a good week!

You might need to buy:
  • 400g tin of chopped Italian tomatoes
  • carrots finely chopped
  • medium white onion finely chopped
  • celery finely chopped
  • olive oil
  • basil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Belongs to xombi Mussel Soup 
serves 2
You might need to buy:
  • 2kg of washed and de bearded mussels
  • 100ml of dry white wine
  • garlic sliced
  • chopped flat leaf parsley
  • 200g of tomato passata
  • olive oil
serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • large fennel bulb
  • chopped parsley
  • Lemon juice
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • Serves 3-4
  • little milk
  • 500g minced beef
  • small garlic clove
  • parsley
  • Salt and black pepper
  • For the sauce
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
You might need to buy:
  • For four starters or two main course dishes
  • 350g good quality Spaghetti
  • anchovy fillets in olive oil
  • garlic finely sliced
  • pitted Taggiasche olives
  • small best quality capers
  • 500ml of tomato Passata
  • Datterini tomatoes cut into quarters
  • dried oregano
  • chopped flat leaf parsley
  • olive oil
  • dried chilli
Belongs to xombi Aubergine Linguine 
You might need to buy:
  • Makes four starter portions or two as a main course
  • basil leaves
  • dried chilli
  • Drizzle of good olive oil
Belongs to xombi Tortilla soup 
ready in about an hour and a half; serves 4
You might need to buy:
  • For the soup
  • large ripe tomatoes
  • garlic cloves
  • 2–3 tbsp lard
  • dried oregano
  • litre/13/4 pints homemade chicken stock
  • salt
  • turns black peppermill
  • corn tortillas cut into 1cm/1/2in strips
  • serve
  • dried chipotle flakes
  • 100g/31/2oz soured cream
ready in about 45 minutes; serves 2
You might need to buy:
  • free-range eggs
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper