Simple Italian cookery (1912)

15 recipes resurrected from Simple Italian cookery (1912) — each published with its full origin story, era, and historical context.

Lombarda Sauce

A classic sauce featuring a rich roux base, chicken jelly, and a touch of lemon, finished with tomato and fresh herbs.

Modern Timbale of Macaroni

A baked macaroni dish with a savory vegetable and mushroom sauce, enhanced with Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

Spinach in a Mold with Mushrooms

A classic dish featuring a molded spinach base filled with a creamy mushroom sauce.

Fried Sweetbreads, Croquettes, Liver, Etc. (Fritto Misto alia Romana)

A classic Roman-style mixed fry featuring golden-brown sweetbreads, croquettes, liver, and pumpkin, served with lemon slices.

Modern Polenta Fritters

A modernized version of polenta fritters, featuring a creamy polenta base, shaped, breaded, and fried to golden perfection. A delightful sweet treat or side dish.

Modern Vegetable Flan

A savory vegetable flan made with a variety of fresh vegetables, bound with eggs and cheese, and baked to perfection.

Hot Piquante Sauce

A flavorful and spicy sauce, perfect for serving with meats or tongue. This modernized version balances the original piquancy with updated measurements and clear instructions.

Polenta Pasticciata

A baked polenta dish layered with meat sauce and béchamel sauce, topped with cheese and baked until golden brown.

Fried Brains

A classic dish featuring lightly fried brains, prepared with a simple yet flavorful coating. This recipe provides a modernized approach to preparing this delicacy.

Rice with Mushrooms

A simple and flavorful rice dish with mushrooms, onion, parsley, celery, carrot, and a touch of tomato.

Onions "alia Veneziana"

Stuffed onions, fried and served with a tangy pickle sauce. A classic Venetian preparation.

Modern Meat Sauce

A rich and flavorful meat sauce, perfect for pasta or other dishes. This recipe modernizes a classic approach with updated ingredients and techniques.

Risotto alla Romana

A simple and flavorful risotto made with beef, ham, mushrooms, and Parmesan cheese.

Vegetable Soup (Zuppa alia Primaverile)

A simple and hearty vegetable soup, perfect for using fresh, seasonal produce.

Codfish "alia Marinaia"

A classic Italian preparation of salt cod, simmered with onions, parsley, and a tangy vinegar sauce, served over fried bread.