Pasta Grannies is more than a website or a cooking channel, it’s a community. When I started Pasta Grannies a little under 10 years ago, that was at the core of what I wanted to achieve.
I believe cooking is a conversation, a way of transferring ideas to one another, making memories, sharing experiences. And in the spirit of keeping that conversation open with members of the Pasta Grannies community, every month, we field five questions from our Pasta Grannies fans. I take the time out to answer them and celebrate the magic of shared experiences through food, specifically, my favourite food — pasta! So send us your questions, and every month we’ll round them up here.
Where do you actually live?
I’m an Italian resident, though I divide my time between London and Italy. I like to be in our house in Marche every 4 or 5 weeks. Usually I head to Italy to remove the distractions so I can write up all the recipes for the book I’m writing. (Yes I’m working on a new one, and there will be more to share on that soon!). Plus, about every 6 to 8 weeks the Pasta Grannies team hits the road to meet le nonne. But, my main base is London because that’s where my husband Billy is too (and does like to see me occasionally!).
Do you have a favourite town or city in Italy?
I have to say Cingoli (where I live) first! Of course, there are many other cities and towns I like. Famous ones Florence and Rome are popular for a reason, but I would recommend trying to explore some of the lesser-known areas of Italy too. For example, Urbino in Marche is this lovely little town on a hilltop; you can see how all the medieval painters were inspired by the landscape of castles on steep hills. If you are heading to the capital though, make sure you check out Michaella’s Italian Travel Journal for some foodie and shopping spots!
What do you think is a good meal to cook for a date night?
I would avoid heavy on the digestion meals like steak; or showy-offy ones – like steak. If you want to be discreetly banging your own culinary drum, then you could make a hollandaise sauce. There is nothing quite so luscious as dunking asparagus spears into it! And well, I asked Billy (my husband) what he thought was a date night meal. He said every night was date night when I cook! I often cook us a risotto (using carnaroli rice guarantees success). It can’t be hurried and one can share tasks without it being intimidating. It’s the perfect date night dish: comforting, easy, elegant – and simple to stir while chatting with one’s beloved!
What’s your favourite pasta dish?
I don’t like answering that question because my mood changes and then my answer changes. I love all pasta! I usually say panoti which is a pasta recipe from leguria. It involves stuffing with foraged greens called and about 13 different herbs that are supposed to go. Then you serve them in a sort of belly-button-shaped ravioli with a walnut salsa. And it’s sweet and earthy and garlicky. It’s delicious!
If I cook most things from scratch and want to start investing in some new kitchen equipment, where should I start?
A really, really, good knife! And by that I mean one you can keep sharp – learn how to use a whetstone and a steel. Le nonne however don’t care about knives! Often they have one cheap vegetable knife that I call a Nonna Knife that does everything. They love them so much that sometimes they will kiss them before they cook! Pina, who we recently filmed, kisses it before she makes her signature timballo made with her hand rolled macaroni. You can learn more about Pina in her interview here and also make her homemade gnocchi recipe here.
Do you have a question you’d like me to answer? Email me hello@pastagrannies.com.
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