The BellaVia Blog

Authentic Italian Recipes, Wine & Lifestyle

Cavatelli, hand made pasta.
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

Cavatelli, hand made pasta.

Today, we’re bringing you a recipe for Cavatelli, a type of fresh pasta we made during our cooking lesson on the Amalfi Coast!

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“Touching on the senses” Gnocchi Cooking Class
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

“Touching on the senses” Gnocchi Cooking Class

Making potato ghocchi with the visually impaired local community. Italian cuisine stimulates the senses of taste, smell, and touch. Making gnocchi, is an art that mainly relies on your touch; while you can follow the recipe, you must feel the dough in your hands before rolling and cutting your gnocchi into small “knots”

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Music and Cooking
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

Music and Cooking

Have you ever tried to cook while listening to music and paying attention to how you perceive different flavors?

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Narrow egg noodles with Asparagus - Tagliarini o Tagliolini con Asparagi
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

Narrow egg noodles with Asparagus - Tagliarini o Tagliolini con Asparagi

This kind of noodles are a variety of egg pasta typical of Italian cuisine included in the list of traditional food products of the Central and Northen Region such as Piedmont. They have become widespread in Argentina, where there has been a large migration of Italian people from Piedmont, and are known as “talliarines”.

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Spaghetti with anchovies - Spaghetti con le acciughe
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Spaghetti with anchovies - Spaghetti con le acciughe

A simple first dish made with only two ingredients, in addition to pasta, that is ideal for a last-minute dinner with friends who have thrown together an impromptu dinner or for those legendary midnight spaghetti parties with foodies! Set a 10-minute timer and let's get started!

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The Italian Cooking therapy.
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

The Italian Cooking therapy.

It is well known around the world that we Italians enjoy cooking. This is absolutely correct. We consider cooking to be a real therapy for relaxation, in addition to providing pleasure and fulfilment.

I believe, you've probably heard the expression "when I cook, I relax" at least once in your life.


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Sweet and Sour tuna - Tonno Agro e Dolce
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Sweet and Sour tuna - Tonno Agro e Dolce

Tuna with sweet and sour onions is a traditional Sicilian meal known as “tunnina ca cipudda”. It is a simple dish with few ingredients but rich in flavor and aroma, and it is especially delicious when served cold.

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Paccheri with fish ragù
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Paccheri with fish ragù

A delicious fish sauce, ideal for seasoning all fresh or dried pasta.

We chose Paccheri, typical from Naples, which are perfect with seafood sauces.

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Italian Mediterranean Diet @Cuesta College
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Italian Mediterranean Diet @Cuesta College

The Mediterranean diet is not just a way of eating or cooking, it is a combination of using a variety of high-quality fresh foods with balanced life habits. It is not a “don’t do it” diet, but instead teaches how to buy and use local products, like veggies, fish, extra virgin olive oil, and red wine; all of which are integral components of the Mediterranean Diet.

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“Touching on the senses” Cooking Class
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

“Touching on the senses” Cooking Class

Making fresh pasta with the visually impaired local community.

Italian cuisine stimulates the senses of taste, smell, and touch. Making pasta is an art that mainly relies on your touch; while you can follow the recipe, you must feel the dough in your hands before cutting your tagliatelle, pappardelle, or whatever size you prefer.

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Happy Valentine!
Simo Mangili Simo Mangili

Happy Valentine!

The Italian Mediterranean Diet tradition can also be followed when preparing a delicious and "aphrodisiac" (Aphrodite Greek goddess of Love) dinner to celebrate your Valentine's Evening, particularly for "seenagers" like me.

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