Recipes
At il circolo we cook with extra vergine olive oil! We are big fans of the typical Sicilian kitchen which literally is a melting pot defined by different cultures that either visited Sicily as merchants or invaders. With our recipes we want to share our enthusiasm for the Mediterranean lifestyle and the Sicilian kitchen. Mediterranean cuisine has a tradition of eating fresh, seasonal ingredients with extra vergine olive oil as a base ingredient in almost every meal. It is a model for a regenerative and healthy diet that refrains from using frozen and processed ingredients as much as possible.
In the Mediterranean kitchen, seasonal food is a way of life that borders on a sacred rite. In our recipes we combine this seasonal approach with minimizing food waste. We focus on leftovers and whatever is at hand in the fridge that pairs well with il circolo olive oil. We use seasonal and healthy ingredients that we buy at the local markets, and we support local providers as much as possible.
Our recipes, cooking, and groceries shopping reflect the slow food philosophy with its values of quality, fairness, and sustainability.
Olive oil infused roasted lamb with herbed potatoes
In this recipe, lamb is marinated in a mixture of extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, thyme, garlic, and a hint of lemon, then slow-roasted to
Fritters with chickpea flour and vegetables
I was introduced to these chickpea flour and vegetable fritters when asking a friend for an egg substitute to make a frittata, and actually, I
Granita di limone
The Sicilian granita di limone, or lemon granita, has a rich history deeply rooted in Sicilian culinary tradition. Its origins can be traced back to
Mediterranean olive oil and herb roasted root vegetables
This recipe offers a symphony of flavors, combining the richness of the olive oil and the earthiness of the root vegetables, perfect for a refined
Stuffed Italian green peppers
The Italian peppers that I use for this dish are small, tender and sweet green peppers, called ‘friggitelli’ in Sicily. They can be enjoyed from June
Rice with turmeric and dried fruits
This vegetarian recipe has the exotic flavour of turmeric and dried fruit. It is colourful and tasty and can be enjoyed cold or warm as
Creamy chickpea soup with clams
I was served this simple traditional dish in a little Sicilian village at the seaside and was absolutely taken by it. I always loved ‘vongole’,
Courgette and ricotta cheese balls
Light, tasty, quick-to-prepare courgette and ricotta cheese balls that can be fried or baked in the oven. They are always super delicious, as finger food
Pesto variations
When you hear ‘pesto’ you probably think of the traditional ‘pesto alla genovese’ with basil and pine nuts. There are many other recipes that can
Pasta with broccoli ‘alla Siciliana’
Pasta with broccoli ‘alla Siciliana’ is a traditional first course that has a tasty sauce made with green broccoli, sultanas, pine nuts, anchovy fillets, and
Penne with spinach and Gorgonzola
This recipe has been a longtime favorite for evenings when you come home ‘hangry’ and impatient after a long day at work. It doesn’t need
Marinated courgettes with lemon and mint
This is a recipe without cooking, nice and fresh for hot days! In June and July you find courgettes in all shapes, colours and sizes,
Easy chocolate orange cake with olive oil
This orange chocolate cake with olive oil is surprisingly delicious and yet very easy to prepare. Its secret is the combination of bittersweet orange marmalade,
Oven Baked Onions
In Mediterranean cuisine the onion plays an important role. Raw or fried, mostly you will find it as the base of a dish. In this
Banana Bread with Olive Oil
It’s breakfast time: coffee, tea, orange juice and …. banana bread! A soft and tasty cake that combines the aroma of the tropics with the
Caponata Siciliana di Agrigento
Although today we are used to finding all kinds of fruit and vegetables in the supermarkets all year round, it is better to follow seasonality.
Grilled eggplants with mint
The aperitivo, a few small treats and a glass of wine or beer in the early evening, is pure culinary dolce vita and one of
Olive Oil Ice Cream
Brioche con gelato. If you’ve ever been to Sicily, you might know it. A soft, sweet bread with ice cream on top. To a non-Sicilian
Peperonata
Peperonata is one of the classic Sicilian summer dishes. Simple and colorful, prepared with peppers, onions and tomatoes, it goes well with meat and fish
Tuna Salad with White Beans
There are these fabulous, tasty and simple salads. This tuna salad is one of them. It’s quick to make with just a few ingredients, and
Mediterranean Orange Salad
There are great variations of orange salads all around the Mediterranean. Some are quite simple and benefit from the specific flavour of a particular type
Pasta with green asparagus and mint pesto
Green asparagus is often underestimated, but it is in no way inferior to its white brother. On the contrary, it is perfect for this recipe
Chicken with olives, fennel and capers
Chicken with olives, fennel and capers -also known as ‘Pollo alla Siciliana’- is a great classic of Mediterranean cuisine. It is a rich main dish,
Cauliflower and chickpea soup with turmeric
Cauliflower and chickpea soup with turmeric is a delicious first course that will warm you up from the inside when it’s cold and uncomfortable outside.
Potato gnocchi – Gnocchi di patate
Gnocchi di patate have a special place in the Italian cuisine and there are countless wonderful ways to prepare it. They are traditionally made from
Herb-crusted Salmon
Salmon smothered in fresh herbs like dill, thyme, rosemary and parsley. You really need to try this easy salmon oven recipe. It is a winner.
Stew of artichoke hearts
Artichoke is a typical vegetable of the Mediterranean. Allthough not locally grown in Northern Europe, vegetables like artichoke imported from other countries shouldn’t be dismissed
Fluffy lemon cake with olive oil
This isn’t anything like the lemon cakes you have tasted before. The amazing fluffy structure of the cake comes from the use of both baking
Risotto with lemon and fennel
Risotto is one of the best-known and most popular traditional Italian dishes. Every season has its own risotto. In autumn, mushrooms or pumpkin are perfect
Vegan pizza fritta
This pizza belongs to Napoli like the chaos on the streets of the city. It is typical streetfood and comes from the postwar period. Even
Feta in the oven
This dish makes us instantly cheerful. It is maybe not typical Italian but reminiscent of a sunny summer’s day on the Mediterranean. You don’t have
Gambas in the oven
Would you like to prepare a seafood dish? But you don’t have time or want the hassle of scaling and fishbones? Gambas make a delicious
Mini frittatas with pancetta
Pancetta is the Italian version of bacon. It is cured with salt and sometimes also with herbs. The pancetta forms a crunchy crust around these
Stuffed Portobellos
Portobello is a variant of the chestnut mushroom and is available all year round. The flesh is firm and hardly shrinks during baking. Because of
Pumpkin soup with rosemary and crispy sage
Pumpkin soup is easy to make and there are lots of variations. We have chosen to share a recipe with herbs that grow in the
Seabass in a herb salt crust
Also known as the recipe with the hammer. The herb salt crust becomes so hard during baking that you need a hammer to break it.
Orange polenta cake with olive oil
This is truly a seasonal recipe for December when in Sicily the almonds are harvested not long before, and the oranges are ripening on the
Lemon biscuits with olive oil
December is the season for lemons and for baking. This recipe in Mediterranean style uses olive oil instead of butter. It is easy and fun
Mandarin marmalade on olive oil
Are you completely hooked on good extra virgin olive oil? Are you addicted to the lush fruitiness of mandarins? Do you use olive oil for
Spaghetti with fennel and salami
Fennel is a common vegetable in Sicily. The aniseed flavour of fennel is combined in this dish with the savoury and spicy flavour of the
Rigatoni with cavolo nero pesto
Cavolo nero was a rather unknown vegetable to us. This recipe, however, persuaded us to give it a try. The refined taste of the cabbage
Crispy polenta with mixed mushrooms
Fancy something other than pasta, rice or potatoes? Then try polenta. It is made from corn flour, is gluten-free and can be prepared in many
Smokey Frittata with Cauliflower and Scamorza
Frittata is a simple Italian dish made with eggs and a combination of vegetables, cheese and/or meat. Or whatever you imagine to be a tasty
Spaghetti aglio, olio & peperoncino
This pasta dish is the southern equivalent to pasta carbonara from the North of Italy. With its four quality ingredients it is very easy and
Minestrone
Minestrone is real comfort food. Perfect for a cold or rainy day. Literally translated it means ‘big soup’ and traditionally Italian peasants made it from
Beef stew
Our kitchen is all about seasonal vegetables and local ingredients. Whenever we serve a meat dish it needs to be really worth our while. Like
Pasta with almond and lemon pesto
Almond trees have flourished in Sicily since the times of the Arabs. Most orchards are concentrated around Noto and Avola, and scattered around the province
Pasta alla Siciliana
Pasta alla Siciliana is a traditional Sicilian pasta dish and a specialty of Messina. It’s made with linguine or spaghetti, and a collection of powerful