People regularly ask me for recommendations: from which culinary classics to have on their bookshelves, to which ingredients to keep in their cupboards, or what utensils are best for certain techniques. So, as a Pasta Grannies team, we thought it was about time to share a few of our favourite things. Each week, on the Pasta Grannies blog, we’ll share a few key items we’re loving.
I don’t know about you but I used to always loved flicking through Where’s Wally? whenever someone had the books in their house. (I think in America he’s called Waldo, actually). It’s not a book I’d ever went out of my way to buy, but once available to me I could spend hours looking through the pages of little striped figures. Spot the difference was a favourite game of mine as a child. And well, in adulthood observation has continued.
In fact, noticing a pair of Nonna’s knees in Italy is one of the things that inspired Vicky to write the first Pasta Grannies book, and as a food and travel writer, I’ve always got my eyes open for that little bit of detail that might make for a more coloured story.
So this week, we thought we’d play a little ‘see and seek’ of our own. (Sort of like hide and seek but better—because it involves things you can add to your kitchen and you don’t have to squish yourself into any small spaces).
On Monday we dropped our full-length Pasta Grannies Love Stories episode on the website with Nonna Caterina from Sicily and her friends and family in the community of Chuisa Scalfani. We’ve pulled out a couple of the essentials which we saw feature in the episode. Can you spot them while watching?
STOCK
Items we regularly have on shelves in our pantry
Caterina and her family (including her granddaughters) prepare beautiful bread structures for the Father’s Day feast of San Giuseppe. The shaping of the bread brings them together. Flecks of fennel seeds add decoration and flavour, giving a gentle aniseed kick.
Fennel seeds can be divisive; so maybe check with your guests if they like them before generously throwing in handfuls. Used sparingly, they add depth and sweetness to breads, desserts, curries, soups, and stews. Use them whole, or grind into blends. And on that note, if you’re looking for more spice inspiration, somewhere like Social Supermarket has a whole section selected for sustainable herbs and spices, with plenty of inspiration too.
Fennel also regularly appears in salads and al forno dishes in Italy too both in this episode and further afield. It grows in all over Italy but you’ll find it in copious amount in southern regions like Calabria and Sicily. Why not use the seeds in this Calabrese swordfish and pistachio paccheri recipe Michaella (recorded beachside during her recent trip – tough life, I know). Or, if you prefer using the fresh stuff; this recipe from Pina in Francofonte in Sicily is surefire crowd-pleaser.
MAKE
The best kitchen gadgets and gizmos to make a family-style spread.
We couldn’t help but admire Caterina’s tie-dye style mixing bowl. Hers may be one-of-a-kind, perhaps bought at a market or gifted — but for a classic option, you can’t go wrong with a Mason Cash bowl, now available in a range of colours beyond the original cream and beige.
Me? I’m even less artistic than that when it comes to bowls. For practicality, I swear by Pyrex. They’re transparent (so you can see what’s happening), sturdy, and dishwasher-safe. Perfect for baking, pasta-making, and most importantly, avoiding any post-dessert washing-up arguing.
ENJOY
Other things we’ve been enjoying inside or outside of the kitchen.
Did you notice the beautifully patterned tablecloths in the episode? Sicily is renowned for its Maiolica designs — bold blues, yellows, reds, and vibrant patterns.
While my own home leans more what I might call ‘minimalist’, adding one or two Sicilian-inspired pieces can instantly brighten a table or kitchen space.
These these napkins which are a gentle nod to the region, or if you prefer a hint of maximalism while serving your pasta, try one of these bowls.
Please note that all these items are real recommendations chosen at our own discretion, and not a result of paid placement. Sometimes, however, we may include affiliate links)
