Limoncello in 4 easy steps and just 4 ingredients!

Limoncello is an Italian liquer mainly produced in Souther Italy including our beloved Puglia! Traditionally, it is made from zest of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento lemons or Sfusato lemons.

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Limoncello is traditionally served chilled as an after-dinner digestivo and it typically has an alcohol content of around 28%. Many variations of Limoncello are also available. These include Pitstachiocello (as you would expect, flavoured with pistachio nuts), Meloncello (flavoured with cantaloupe), and Frangocello (flavoured with strawberry).

The recipe below is for traditional Limoncello which you can make at home with 4 easy steps and just 4 ingredients!

All you need is:
5 unwaxed lemons
1L vodka
750g caster sugar
700ml boiling water

1. Zest the lemons and put in a large clean jar.
2. Pour over the vodka. Cover with a tightly fitting lid and leave for a week, shaking the jar each day.
3. Put the sugar in a heatproof bowl and pour over the boiling water, stirring until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Add the vodka and zest and leave for a further week, shaking the jar regularly.

Give it a go tonight; it's sure to brighten up any Thursday night!

Turning the spot light on...Mario

Today, I interviewed our head chef, Mario.

Mario is a busy man; he is both the manager and head chef at Pizzeria Oregano,

Originally from Portugal, he moved to London 24 years ago! Mario is a self taught man. He started from the very bottom (as a kitchen porter) to his lofty position as a head chef here at Pizzeria Oregano.

Pizzeria Oregano's patented tomato sauce recipe...Shhhhhh, don't tell anyone!

At Pizzeria Oregano we use only the highest quality ingredients. All our sauces are prepared to an authentic family recipe handed down through the generations. The result?  Our food is just like nonna would make it.

Today, head chef Mario shares his recipe for the ultimate tomato sauce. And the secret? It's all in the timings. No tomato sauce worth its salt should take less than 2 hours from start to finish.

Mini Post: Summertime(ish) Play List

I don't know about you, but I'm loving this amazing, never ending Summer.

These songs have been the sound track to my Summer.

Prayer in C - Lily Wood, Robin Schulz
Walking with Elephants - Ten Walls
Waves - Mr Probz
Riptide - Vance Joy
Aventine - Agnes Obel
Without a doubt - Isbells
Cucurucu - Nick Mulvey
Hold on - SBTRKT
Summertime Sadness - Lana Del Rey
Let me down easy - Paolo Nutini
Sonnentanz ft. Will Heard - Klangkarussell
Changing - Paloma Faith

What have you been listening to?

Summer Cocktail Recipe

Amaretto is such an Italian flavour and in this post you saw how it was an integral part of the Affogato recipe I shared.

And with this Indian Summer we're currently experiencing, I thought it was about time I shared my favourite Summer Cocktail recipe containing, you guessed it, Amaretto.

A sweet and sour combo is one of the most refreshing combinations out there, so make this in haste, before the long Summer days are over and we're all firmly hugging mulled wines and ciders.

Sunday Dinner – Stefano Style

One thing the English do really well is Sunday dinner. 

Here I am not just talking about the meal itself, (although I have had some roast potatoes I would sell my grandmother for), but also the entire ritual – the gathering, the sharing of time, catching up with loved ones over a home prepared hearty meal.

So in deference to this English tradition, here is my take on an English Sunday dinner.

TOAST MAGAZINE'S REVIEW OF BY ALI MILLINGTON - 'SIMPLE, AUTHENTIC ITALIAN AT PIZZERIA OREGANO'

Pizzeria Oregano

18-19 St Albans Place, London, N1 0NX

Tel: 020 7288 1123

Transport: Angel (Underground)

Hidden down a quiet road off Islington’s Upper Street lies an authentic Italian restaurant with simple décor but strong accents, indicating that local Italians give it the seal of approval.