There is something about early May in Switzerland that feels quietly generous. The markets begin to change, the light stretches a little longer into the evening, and suddenly, almost without noticing, there are flowers everywhere. Not the grand, composed bouquets, but the small ones. The ones that grow close to […]
There are moments when a recipe comes back to you not because you planned it, but because you need it. This week has been spent largely in the air: many hours on planes, moving between places, time zones and meetings. Travelling can be enriching and inspiring, but it can also […]
As Christmas draws near and gatherings with friends gently fill the calendar, these crisp, easy-to-make molasses cookies become my go-to sweet treat. They strike the perfect balance: just sweet enough, wonderfully spiced, and equally at home beside a glass of bubbles, a cosy cup of tea or a bright, fresh […]
There is something deeply satisfying about preserving the best flavours of each season. This homemade nectarine chutney, with its balance of sweetness, gentle warmth, and subtle acidity, captures late-summer sunshine in a jar. It’s one of those small kitchen projects that rewards you again and again — especially when paired […]
Discover the Bozi Pear — a traditional Swiss variety from Fribourg that shines when cooked. Simple, seasonal, and perfect for cosy autumn and winter moments, this recipe brings out its delicate, aromatic flavour and lets it take its rightful place on the plate. The other day at the market I […]
Some meals are best eaten slowly. Others are simply made to refresh, nourish, and carry you through the summer heat – like this salad we enjoyed some nights ago. With the temperature still lingering high well past sunset, we turned to what felt right: lukewarm Beluga lentils, tender tuna, juicy […]
Have you ever wondered what my secret recipe is? It’s not just about food—it’s about what truly fuels Cibo & Vino. A mix of flavours, people, and purpose, carefully balanced to create something meaningful. Here’s how I bring it all together. 🥄 Ingredients: 1 heaping cup of passion – for […]
Attentive followers will notice that this is not the first post I have done about the incredibly delicious barba di frate — in English, monk’s beard. I’ve already shared my favorite recipe for enjoying this tasty green goodness packed with vitamins. Get your free copy of the recipe here. But […]
At Cibo & Vino Cookbook Club, we love honouring traditions while adding our own modern, healthy, and delicious twist. Good luck lentils may not be my invention, but this recipe strikes the perfect balance. Think of the lentils as “jewels” representing prosperity, the richness of sausages as a nod to […]
Who knew kale and mozzarella could be such a perfect match? While mozzarella often conjures up memories of sun-drenched summer days, I recently discovered how well Switzerland’s favorite cheese pairs with heartier, winter ingredients. Just think: two varieties of kale, each with its own vibrant crunch, brought to life by […]
What better name than “morning glory” for someone like me who absolutely adores the quiet early hours of the day? But why is water spinach also called morning glory? Well, if you’re a bit of a plant enthusiast, you’ll quickly spot that the flowers of this lovely vegetable look a […]
You might find yourself wondering: what exactly are “resties”? Well, they’re simply leftovers – but I’ve taken a liking to the term. Quite unexpectedly, we found ourselves with a day of resties just a few days back. Perhaps it was the wintry weather creeping in again, or maybe it was […]
Imagine a culinary escapade that’s not just about fulfilling a lasagne craving but embarking on a flavor-filled odyssey. After a lasagne hiatus of 2-3 years, the inspiration has struck, and now, my kitchen is buzzing with creativity. Barely 10 days have passed since my last culinary masterpiece, and this time, […]
Why settle for roses in the midst of winter when you can embrace the vibrant allure of rosa? Join me in the delightful campaign initiated by @natoora, where we celebrate the season of radicchio over roses. Picture this: a salad crafted with love and a touch of rosa, making it […]
Embark on a culinary adventure as we bid adieu to the pumpkin season in style! Picture this: layers of golden pumpkin intertwined with robust salsicce, crafting a masterpiece that transforms an ordinary winter day into a gastronomic delight. In this enchanting gastronomic symphony, the bold trio of sage, rosemary, and […]
Embracing the depths of winter in Switzerland, where the weather fluctuates between snowy landscapes and the first hints of spring, I felt inspired to craft a hearty meal using two wonderfully “earthy” ingredients. Rather than opting for the traditional Italian rabbit recipe, which usually involves roasting it with tomatoes and […]
Winter in Zurich has been a thrilling rollercoaster of temperatures lately, ranging from a mild 3 degrees to a surprising 13 degrees, with a chilly dip to -10 in between. But isn’t that the essence of our new winter adventure? Speaking of winter delights, imagine savoring the perfect taste of […]
Yes, I am Italian and yes, I like to follow some traditions … my way … In Italy, tradition dictates that eating lentils in the days following the New Year brings good luck and prosperity in the coming year. The small round legumes resemble gold coins and are believed to […]
What makes a weekend truly perfect, you ask? Well, let me paint you a vibrant picture! On Friday night, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting a dinner for a long-lost family friend. After years of lost contact, our paths crossed again a couple of weeks ago. Picture this: porcini […]
As the days grow colder and autumn’s touch lingers in the air, there’s something special about heading to the local market for a handful of fresh, hearty mushrooms. Start by gently brushing off any lingering earth from the mushrooms, and remember, never soak them in water – that’s the secret […]
Dive into the world of figs, those love-’em-or-hate-’em wonders! Me? I’m head over heels for these little beauties, and half my year is dedicated to scouring markets for the perfect figs. And guess what? It’s prime fig season right now, and I’m floating on cloud nine! Let’s talk about this […]
With just a couple of ingredients this dish unites the freshness of a burrata, the crunchiness of the hazelnuts and the wintery hearty feeling of the Brussels sprouts and bacon. A keeper … at least in my house.
This end of winter risotto will surprise you with the very distinct taste of the grumolo salad. The creaminess of the ricotta will smoothen the slightly bitter taste with the salsiccia adding an additional very distinct flavour. As a topping I added bread crumbs, which I gently roasted with fresh […]
I can’t recommend this dish highly enough: three different tastes and textures of fish/seafood, the creaminess of coconut milk and the tang of a garlic, corriander and lime marinade. Served in a bowl of hearty rice this is a warm hug both for your soul and your stomach. You will […]
Puntarelle are another of my beloved bitter winter greens. After having eaten them earlier this week as a salad, I decided to make up a quick pasta dish. The bitterness is more intense … a tiny spoon of sugar did the trick to make the dish “rounder”. To finish off, […]
Although the days are slowly getting lighter and warmer, the nights are still bitter cold so a hearty ragu served on a plate of pasta is as welcome as a warm hug from a friend. A hearty and deep red ragu with some of the best, that Sicily has to […]
With the blood orange season in full swing, this vibrant coloured salad will bring vitamins and a warm heart to your dinner. I served it with a steak and some nice bread to scoop up the sauces.
Many of you have probably already found and followed online recepies for a pumpkin risotto, so I will spare you the detailed receipe and jump straight into the sensations: With some spare pumpkin (from the amazing pumpkin and chocolate cake I made the other day) and some white wine, I […]
As the days get darker and colder the wish for more warmth rises also in what we eat! This dish is a perfect combination of flavours – each of them well balanced and contributing to a satisfying plate of pasta. I choose to serve this sauce with tagliatelle made with […]
I was looking forward to freshness … a fresh salad with an equally fresh sauce. The combination of tahini, lime zest and juice as well as freshly pressed garlic gave the lamb‘s lettuce a nice nip, whilst the beetroot added it‘s round earthy taste. Will definitely try more sauces with […]
It has been one of those days … I am tired, cold and hungry… When opening my fridge I feel gratitude for what I find: a bright orange pumpkin, some smoked bacon and a bunch of sage. I also remember a can of cannellini beans in my pantry. Within a […]
I got inspired by some almonds and sardines and decided to try a new version of pesto by adding some sage. I served this impressive sauce with al dente rigatoni, which was the right choice for this dense flavour. To balance the meal, I quickly made a fresh and crunchy […]
The first of many tasty soups as the days are getting shorter and shorter… The smoked organic pancetta was a unique addition to this plate full of goodness: Swiss chard, mushrooms, onions, potatoes, garlic and celery … and time …
A comforting one-pot dish with many different flavors and textures, which compliment each other to the finest: the sweetness of the white martini compared with the fennel seeds and the texture of the pulpo compared with the mashed potatoes… Heaven on a plate!
What a fantastic way of celebrating a Sunday brunch: mushrooms on a slice of tasty multi-grain bread served with a fried egg and a tasty green salad with lemon zest, lemon juice and EVO. Incredible to experience the balance between the different textures and flavours … definitely to be repeated […]
With the season of figs in full swing – my endless desire to eat figs and a crave for ricotta I decided to adapt the great receipe of Emiko Davies somewhat to make it a feast.
Everybody told me I was crazy trying to make jam out of cantaloupe melons … but it worked! Also thanks to the inspiration from the wonderful Emiko Davies. The dough of this crostata is your standard shortcrust – I just added the zest of a bio lemon and used salted […]
It has been a while since I have been baking my own bread – mainly because of rather intense travelling over the last month. I am however back to my routine of baking bread … and as such also to the routine of eating a home-made sandwich. Today’s edition was […]
A real summer treat … perfect for dessert, a brunch or afternoon coffee… Be careful when mixing the berries under the batter so that they are kept whole and don’t leave the cake too moist.
Peaches at their best: ripe, juicy and combined with a crunchy dough. Definitely to be repeated … with different fruits? Summer in a tasty pie
The spicy sausage, the colourful peppers and the salty ricotta salata…a quick mid-week pasta dish satisfying cravings on yet another cold and wet summer evening. A colorful and spicy mid-week pasta dish
As a new member of Slow Food, I had to experiment my first concious official Slow Food receipe – although I am quite sure that this is not really my first Slow Food receipe. Farina bona is a very traditional flour from the Onsernone valley in the canton of Ticino […]
I based myself on the delicious galette from Falastin with beetroot and feta and turned it into a version à la provençale with chèvre and a lot of thyme as well as honey from the region. A labour of love which is worth every minute of thought and work. To […]
Not sure about you, but I could eat pasta every day … guess not a huge surprise for an Italian …! I do however like variety and have come up with this great topping the other day. Crunchy breadcrumbs roasted in olive oil (in my case I used ones from […]
I am currently still in the beautiful Provence and one of the many things I enjoy are the marchés des producteurs. The other day I found some gorgeous looking beetroot and could not hold myself. Don‘t you just love these leaves…they look like they have blood going through their veins. […]
We found some delicious looking pulpo last weekend at the market in Pernes-les-Fontaines and I could simply not resist the freshness and temptation! I made this receipe up as I went along and was really happy with the overall taste and the balanced flavours … the lemon zest, the taste […]
What a day…full to the brim with exciting projects, webinars, neighbors …. It is therefore not a surprise that dinner plans went sideways … but Thank God for orzo: a quick and vegetarian comforting plate of orzo mixed with spinach and cherry tomatoes served with ricotta and lemon zest.
Can you believe that after so many years of passionate cooking and baking it was not until yesterday that I made my first homemade granola! And can you believe that I actually planned to make something else and the „happy mistake“ at least gave me granola as a result. I […]
Wow, what an explosion of flavours: chicken marinated in date molasses. Three from the five basic tastes are triggered with every delicious bite: sweet, salty and bitterness. Accompanied with a green salad and some rice, this is a quick and rewarding meal to serve. Juicy chicken combined with an explosion […]
After a day at work, an intensive lunchtime workout and a webinar about food diplomacy and the impact of cooks, I was craving for a tasty and satisfying Spring midweek dinner. Within a few minutes I had prepared this beautiful dish with new potatoes and fresh peas seasoned with EVO […]
Can you believe it, but until a couple of days ago, I had never made what is THE traditional Sunday lunch for my Italian part of the family myself: braciole al sugo. For me it has always been a very special treat when I visit them and I guess this […]
A great way to celebrate Spring: (even though the weather is really still quite wintery) some fresh and crisp green asparagus pasta accompanied by a lemon ricotta sauce. A lemon infused pasta dish with ricotta and green asparagus
No other dish gives me more comfort and at the same time makes me miss my nonna so much: pasta e piselli. I have finally found the real Italian salsiccia, which gives this dish the spicy touch. The fresh peas and the leek give it the herby-flavour and the ditalli […]
We are in full spring here in Zurich (although it did decide to snow the last two days…) and the wild garlic is available in abundance, which is probably also why there are many creative ways out there to use wild garlic other than pesto. These scones are very easy […]
This receipe brings me back to happy childhood memories and warm Easter days with la famiglia from Napoli. Like most family receipes, also this one has been changed from generation to generation…we even changed it since last year and will most probably continue to do so … This receipe is […]
Not bad for a Monday lunch: homemade sourdough discard bread with roasted hazelnuts, homemade relish with Alpenkäse curtesy of #babette and some nice and crunchy Treviso radicchio
You might think it is controversial to enjoy a slice of crunchy sourdough bread … but it is actually very surprising and as such fulfilling. I was craving for a bread with roasted hazelnuts…don’t ask me how this came about because I had not had this before. By simply adding […]
This citrusy cake tastes as vibrant as it looks. Letitia Clark’s receipe is a perfect way out of a winter depression … the Southern sun literally shines in your kitchen. The cake needs to be completely cooled before it is served and will keep well for 3-4 days. A very […]
You might have noticed my absence these past two weeks…the sourdough fever hit me – my sleep and as a consequence my days … and actions … I am slowly getting some presentable results and will not hold back this delicious sandwich: home made olive sourdough bread with home made […]
This risotto surprises with the freshness of the pomegranate seeds, the sharp ruccola as well as with the creaminess of the manchego. A vegetarian risotto with a surprisingly fresh taste
I am sure you have seen the craze about the baked feta pasta lately…well, I decided to join…but my way… As you might know, I love Mediterranean food, so I decided to give this famous dish a certain twist. A quick mid-week pasta dish that will leave you surprised
This not really a receipe, more a creative moment in my kitchen: A few days ago I cooked some artichokes with lemon until they were both nice and tender. I then drained them while keeping the water I had cooked them in. Tonight I decided to cook some red wheat […]
When life sends you #artichokes … you make #artichokefrittata Thank you @crowdcontainer for having organised these tasty and tender artichokes. I woke up with the desire to fully use these beauties (actually wanted to make pancakes) and just followed my instinct … and here you go … a very tasty […]
As an Italian, I obviously have my set idea of what a lasagne should look like, taste like, smell like. But now and then it is worth jumping a bit over your own shadow and let great chefs like Diana Henry inspire you to something new, different and just sooooo […]
For those of you, who are “cacio e pepe lovers” like me, this is a welcome and wintery variation – especially in the peak of the orange season. I was a bit sceptical to change this “sacro santo” from Rome, but my brave move was rewarded with this super tasty […]
I am not quite sure whether I should be more happy about the result of this amazing tiramisu or more ashamed that I have had the courage to change the basics of a tiramisu, which you just don’t do as an Italian… anyway, believe me, this version with both mascarpone […]
Earlier this week I had the urge to treat myself with a lamb tagine – the cold outside made me crave for some Moroccan warmth… An easy to make tagine, which brings you to Morocco…
Inspired by the creative Anna Jones, I have decided to treat myself to this colourful wintery curd making the most out of the fantastic clementines I recently received. As the days are still quite dark and not always as bright as I would like them to be, this extra boost […]
My first receipe of the new year: an Ottolenghi inspired wintery one pot chicken receipe, which satisfies both the sweet and the savory tooth. I decided to serve this dish with Jerusalem artichoke, which nicely soaked up the fruity juices. A wintery sweet and savory chicken one pot receipe
Hello winter…hello clementines! The freshness of the fruit and the heartiness of the nuts are equally balanced in these amazingly tasty muffins.
This lovely autumn cake is great with a nice cup of tea…or a Martini. The cinnamon and nutmeg give it a touch of orient. A tasty autumn cake with a touch of orient
A perfect autumn dinner bringing out the best of mushrooms in a tasty and creamy sauce. The sharpness of the ruccola goes very well with the mascarpone and balances the dish perfectly. A quick vegetarian autumn dinner full of hearty flavours
An autumn version of the highly loved baklava…great way to use up some apples, which are no longer as crunchy as you wish. I was amazed at how much flavour the first walnuts have – welcome to my home, baklava…! As juicy and sweet as baklava can get…with a touch […]
We are in the middle of fig season and maybe you are just like me: you just can’t get enough…! This full-on Mediterranean cake brings out quite some intense flavours – and not only of figs. Inspired by #annajones, I have adapted her receipe somewhat to my likings. The hazelnut […]
Hugely inspired by the great #dianahenry, this dish is a heart (and belly) warming receipe, which brings the comforting feeling we are all looking for during these first dark and wet nights. The lamb and spices make it taste Middle Eastern – obviously you can also choose to make this […]
A warm welcome to autumn into my kitchen…what a way to start the pumpkin season…hearty pumpkin and lentils with the freshness of burrata – definitely a keeper in my house! Also this receipe is #inspriredbyottolenghi. I like to serve this warm, so that the fresh burrata cuts into the hearty […]
Inspired by the great #ottolenghi I have tweaked the original receipe somewhat – what a great way to lighten up this umami pasta dish: first and not last time that I made zoodles (coming from noodles and zucchini). This dish is a great way to bring back a bit of […]
This hearty tomato tart is a great way to use up any super ripe tomatoes you might still have. Served with a green salad, this is a light and super tasty lunch. A hearty and very tasty tomato tart
Some people call it an upside down cake…others call it tarte tartin…fact is that this comforting cake is just the right thing when the days are becoming darker and wetter… If you have a very sweet tooth, you might want to serve the first slices (when the cake is still […]
When the plums are as ripe as they are now…this is a receipe sent from heaven…and insipired by the amazing #dianahenry. I have tweaked her receipe a bit in order to make it more rustic and less sweat. An alternative to the hazelnuts are ground almonds – they make the […]
As the first of many apple cakes this fall/winter I chose an easy and tasty one. The quality of your apples will make a huge impact on the taste – firmer and less sugary apples tend to work better in this kind of cake. You can enjoy a slice of […]
A great pie to make late summer when the peaches are nice and ripe. This beautiful cake is great as a dessert and a fantastic present to bring along to a dinner party. A very tasty pie to enjoy juicy peaches embedded in a beautiful shortcrust
Just before another summer weekend, I thought I would share the receipe for this flavour-intensive salad with the best that nature has to offer at this moment: ripe and sun-blessed tomatoes, firm zucchinis and sharp basil. This easy to make salad can be kept 1-2 days and is best with […]
I finally had the courage to make koftas…and what a feast this was: and explosion of flavours…! #inspiredbyottolenghi, I adaped his receipe for turkey and zucchini koftas to suit the slightly more fatty lamb. The lemon and sumac work well and should not be left out. I served the koftas […]
It’s definitely the season of zucchini and this tasty bread is a great addition to a brunch or served with a salad. It keeps well for 1-2 days.
I got 3 kg of super yummy zucchini on Friday…just in time for some weekend cooking. As a first I made these zucchini pancakes, which were the stars of the brunch. Of course you can also serve them for lunch or dinner with a nice salad. Salmon could be the […]
As you can see, I am back in full action and of course I could not resist to bake this summery galette with the most beautiful nectarines and blackberries. The nectarines can be substituted with any stone fruit – if you use peaches, you might want to peal them before […]
It has been a long month absent from the kitchen…a month of TLC from my mother looking after me…but I am extremely happy to be back in action – still on crutches… This receipe inspired by #ottolenghi comes at the right time in summer…the plums are nice and ripe and […]
Just back from a lovely holiday in the South of France, I could not do differently than bring back home a receipe for a very popular pastry: cannelés de Bordeaux. It takes a bit of time – resting time, but is very simple to make and is loved by people […]
Inspired by Ottolenghi, I have made my own version of this delicious starter. I served it with pita bread on the first day and then had it as a salad with green leaves the second day. The aubergine will keep well in the fridge for 2-3 days…and they will only […]
Muhammara is a dip made from red pepperoni and walnuts. It is lovely in a cheese sandwich, served with grilled red meet or just as a dip – as I served it the other day. The fava bean mash is a nice contrast to the rather spicy muhammara, which can […]
This is more a “putting together of ingredients” rather than a receipe… I could not resist the fresh fava beans on the market, which according to Roman tradition should be served with a fairly young pecorino. I happened to have Mimolette at home, which is a perfect contrast in taste, […]
I was asked for my shakshuka receipe…there are already so many out there, but I must admit, this one did taste very good! As with many receipes, shakshuka tastes the best when you put a lot of love…and what you have in the fridge….into it!
I just recently got this amazing book “Brunch the Sunday way”, which has very inspiring receipes…not only for brunch. I made these pancakes the other day for dinner…a great combination of 8 different vegis and greens. As with all pancakes, make sure the dough is fluffy enough so that the […]
This is one from the beautiful book of Falastin by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley. I have changed the proportions and added quite some lemon and the lemon zest, which “breaks” the heavy tahini sauce quite nicely. I served the pie with a green salad, which is a perfect complement.
I wanted to give myself the challenge of making my own receipe for a strawberry cake: mission completed…with a “not too bad success”: I put too much of the filling and assembled the cake the evening before we ate it … so lessons leart and already incorporated into the receipe […]
The weekend can’t really start any better…a home made Zopf! Although we see it as a Swiss receipe in Switzerland, this mild and buttery bread has a few traditions in many different countries. Not sure about you, but I find it fascinating to see that as people from different countries […]
I have posted this delicious summery fish stew before…but not as a full receipe. For me this stew works particularly well with rice – I used black venere rice, which gave this dish a hearty touch as this rice stays “al dente”. You can equally serve this dish with a […]
It’s definitely the season for this amazing pie: a lot of fruit, which is nicely embedded in this very rich dough. A treat for the eyes, taste buds and soul.
Another one of my favorite Spring vegetables: Swiss chard. A lovely side dish…or just as a main with some bread…a quick and healthy weekday dinner. As with most vetegables, be sure to get the stems as fresh as possible…the cut at the bottom will indicate when they were cut and […]
You must be logged in to post a comment.