Claudia&Julia's Blog

I admit that one of the things I find hardest to get people to eat at home in the summer is legumes, and honestly it's no surprise because I'm the first who, as soon as the heat arrives, only wants cool things. Is it the same for you? Well, I'll tell you one thing... You have to try this spiced chickpea and mango salad!

The fig season is officially open, and we won’t be the ones left without ideas when it comes to enjoying them! At home we love them, especially my husband and my eldest son, and although at this time they enjoy them fresh, served with a good cheese they make a delicious dinner!

Tofu is the most commonly used food to replace meat. So if you’ve decided to reduce animal protein in your diet, a good option is to use this ingredient. Although when you try it for the first time, you’ll probably find it a bit bland… But I have the solution! If we marinate tofu, its flavor changes radically and we can use it in many dishes while adding an extra boost of taste.

Chilean "empanadas de pino" have a curious name, don't you think? Pino is the name of the very traditional filling of onion, beef, olives, egg, and raisins, which apparently derives from the Mapuche word pirru and has nothing to do with the tree.

If there is a salad that defines Italian cuisine, it is without a doubt the Caprese salad. The base of this salad is mozzarella and fresh tomato dressed with fresh basil. From there the variations are endless. I have served it as a regular salad, stacked as if it were a millefeuille, on a board with the ingredients separated, and in a stuffed tomato.

Without a doubt I can say that pizza is one of the recipes we make regularly — there isn’t a Friday without it at home! It’s very popular, and the more traditional recipes like the ones I’ve shared before (such as pancetta and arugula or the classic carbonara) are a guaranteed success. But I treated myself to making a pizza with an alternative base: today’s proposal is a pizza with a cauliflower and flaxseed base.

When the heat starts to arrive you only crave light, fresh dishes that help us beat the high temperatures, without giving up eating well. For that reason I'm always on the lookout for new ideas. And the day I saw this cold herb and tomato soup with toasted bread I fell head over heels for it.

Today I want to show you how to make a delicious eggplant and beef croque cake that will be great for solving an everyday dinner or for taking to a party, since it’s a recipe that yields quite a few portions. Croque cakes are savory cakes inspired by the famous French croque monsieur, those grilled ham-and-cheese sandwiches covered in béchamel that you’ve surely seen in many bakeries.

The Pascualina pie is an Italian pie prepared at Easter to celebrate spring. It is ideal for taking to a picnic or outdoor meals. It consists of a puff pastry and a savory filling, typical of the culinary tradition of Liguria, based on spinach, ricotta and eggs that are revealed when the first slice is cut.

This recipe is a version of the vegetarian Koftas, very popular in India. They are made from cauliflower, potato, red lentil and are spiced with garam masala. These are juicy meatballs, with a crunchy edge thanks to the cashews and a sweet note from the dates. They are served with a double sauce made of yogurt and a natural mint and lime syrup.

Beatriz, author of To Be Gourmet, brings us the recipe to make gnocchi at home. Preparing them is very easy, and she also proposes a cheese sauce that goes wonderfully with them. Get your hands in the dough!

Today Luisa (author of Cocinando con mi Carmela) brings us the recipe to make patatas revolconas. You may know them better as patatas revueltas, or patatas meneadas (pronounced meneás) or stirred. Use whichever title you prefer — patatas revolconas are a dish full of flavor that everyone at home will enjoy.