Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook: Taralli ‘nzogna e pepe / Il Ricettario del Mulino di Maroggia: Taralli ‘nzogna e pepe

In July I spent a couple of days in Naples. In July I fell in love. In love with a city that sings, that sings with the chattering of its inhabitants and with the rumbling and rattling noises of motorcycles. In love with the flowers, even the plastic ones, that adorn balconies, windows, terraces. In love with its food, which I did not miss to admire, to bite into, to savour. For this recipe for Maroggia’s Mill Cookbook I bake a Neapolitan classic: the ‘nzogna and pepper tarallo. Tarallari stands are located at every corner of the street and the taralli are served warm. It is impossible to resist their call. Crispy, crunchy and tasty. Heavenly. My partner, who is Neapolitan, tried and approved my recipe. Serve them as an aperitif and conquer your hosts, I assure you they won’t be disappointed!

Paris Brest

The Paris-Brest, a jump into the void. Yes I admit, not without shame, that I never had one before trying the recipe at home. No romantic breakfasts with a view on the Eiffel Tower in Paris, no foodie raids at Hermé’s. My last trip to Paris probably dates back more than twenty years ago. Just a child, fascinated by Loire’s Castles and Diane de Poitiers. So what got me into experimenting with this classic gem of French pastry? Definitely my passion for beauty, the challenge of being able to obtain a product not only palatable but also aesthetically appealing (do you remember the ordeal I had gone through to make “simple” éclairs?) and an innate curiosity.