Regulars

10 7 OF A KIND Olive oil

12 DRINKS

14 RESTAURANT ROUND-UP

There are plenty of Italian restaurants in Dubai, all serving up a slice of la dolce vita

16 DOUGH DOMINATION

Michele and Bill Johnson are coming up to a decade of serving some of Dubai’s best-loved pizzas with Pitfire Pizza. In a free-wheeling conversation, they discuss all things dough, high quality ingredients and new launches

20 ALL YOU KNEAD

When Matthew Jones founded Bread

Ahead in 2013, he couldn’t have known that less than a decade later, his baked goods would find a fan following all over the world including in the Middle East. He shares his journey and the motivation behind his work

22 USE IT UP

Bread never goes to waste in an Italian kitchen. Leftover loaves are used to make dishes like panzanella, passatelli and susciella

24 READ, WATCH, LISTEN Cookbook, podcast and streaming recommendations

IN SEASON

26 Make the most of our fresh tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, strawberries, melons and stone fruit

34 EMOTIONAL MATURITY

The SpinneysFOOD range of Italian hard cheeses includes premium Grana Padano and Parmigiano Reggiano made by the renowned specialists of the Zanetti family. Visiting their production sites in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, we learn how these master artisans uphold ancient traditions while exceeding the highest contemporary standards

A luxury product of Modena since medieval times, balsamic vinegar is still made the old-fashioned way even by modern innovators like Acetaia Giuseppe Cremonini. Welcoming us to their home with true Italian hospitality, the heirs of local food industry legend Giuseppe Cremonini explain the “special magic” that goes into every bottle

42 MASTERS OF PASTA

Spinneys sources many of its classic dried pastas – fusilli, macaroni, penne, organic and wholewheat spaghetti – from the famous Berruto family of Piedmont, Italy. On a visit to their factory we see how those shapes are made, and trace the brand’s roots from rustic wheat-farming to high-tech innovation

44 FRUIT OF THE FAMILY TREE

Loyalty and quality define the Basso family’s approach to making blended, flavoured and classic Italian extra virgin olive oils. From their base in Avellino to their super-intensive olive farm in Foggia, the Basso boys talked us through the long history, vibrant present and sustainable future of the brand

50 Make delicious Italian meals using SpinneysFOOD pastas, pestos, sauces and ravioli

56 NONNA'S PANTRY

Olive oil, pasta, pesto, fresh tomatoes, balsamic vinegar and garlic are just a few quintessential Italian ingredients that are key to creating flavourful meals such as osso buco, Tuscan bean stew, chicken cacciatore and more

64 BUONGIORNO

Sweet baked goods and strong coffee go hand-in-hand for breakfast in Italy. Our recipes for custard-filled croissants, gelato in brioche buns and more will have you craving for this combination every day

3

COFFEE CULTURE

Arriving in Venice in the 16th century, coffee beans swept through the country and became an inherent part of everyday Italian life. We’ve used this popular beverage to flavour four traditional desserts

72 FAB FORMAGGIO

With over 2,500 varieties, there’s no doubt Italy takes its cheese seriously. These recipes cast the spotlight on some of the country’s most famous varieties

80 BUON APPETITO

Inspired by popular Italian food phrases, we’ve created recipes for a pasta, focaccia, torta and semifreddo give

86 VIVA SICILIA!

Sicily’s cuisine was forever changed by the arrival of Arab and Berber settlers in the 9th century. They introduced coffee, citrus, nuts, saffron and rice among other ingredients to the island and the mainland

92 LET'S TORTA-BOUT IT

Rich, multi-layered and textured, these showstopping Italian desserts are perfect for big occasions

110 PASS ME THE PARMI

When in Parma, tasting and learning about the region’s most celebrated cheese is a must. We round up the best places to visit while you’re there to get your fill of one of the oldest and richest cheeses in the world

96 BISCOTTI BOUNTY

Contrary to popular belief, biscotti doesn’t refer to a particular type of biscuit, it’s actually the Italian word for all biscuits. And each region in Italy boasts it own special variety

100 WHAT A GNOCKOUT!

This delicious dish is one of Zahra Abdalla’s top choices for an easy weeknight dinner. She uses South African boerewors, instead of Italian sausages, which add earthy spice

101 Get the kids involved with making these easy tomato-based dishes using ready-made SpinneysFOOD products

112 FIVE FAMILY-FRIENDLY PIZZA PLACES IN THE UAE

Helen Farmer rounds up some of the go-tos for a feast, Italian-style

COVER RECIPE: TOMATO SALAD WITH SALSA DI ACCIUGHE – PG 27