20 times Poh and Silvia lit up our tummies

It doesn't get any better than the delightful dishes these two much-loved cooks bring to the table.

The irresistible charm of a Poh or Silvia dish. Source: SBS Food

--- Tune in to Cook like an Italian with Silvia Colloca and Poh & Co. from 7.30pm, Saturday nights on SBS Food (Ch.33) and via SBS On Demand ---

"I looooove her," is what so many people gush when asked about the magic that is either Poh Ling Yeow or Silvia Colloca. "She's just so charming!" Or fun, or warm, or relatable, or clever, or exceptionally talented at making the food we want to eat.

It's fair to say that the infectious personalities of Silvia and Poh are the magic ingredient that goes into their cooking. As you follow their recipes, it feels like they are gently guiding you through every step. A little oregano here, a shake of chilli there, an unexpected laugh or joke stirred into the lot.

Here are some favourite ways to cook alongside Poh and Silvia. Just a tiny taster - if you need even more Poh recipes (and you do!), click here. Or for more of Silvia's irresistible cooking, click right here.

Poh's cake

If a bite into the crunchy caramel nut top doesn't stop you in your tracks, the crème pâtissière filling most certainly will. Source: Murdoch Books

If you've never made Poh's bee sting cake, get on it. Not only does she make this complicated bakery classic seem easy, but she also teaches us a few techniques that will have us cranking out other delicious pastries in no time.

Silvia's soup

This is the kind of dish you magic out of an 'empty' fridge and pantry when you can't be bothered hitting the shops. Source: Benito Martin

Watching Silvia cook this broken pasta and lentil soup with her mum, Loredana, is one of the most delightful moments on Cook Like an Italian. This throw-together dish is as much about the communal preparation as it is about the eating, so make this warming soup with your own loved ones soonest!

Poh's bake

Make this winning moussaka and see what all the fuss is about. Source: China Squirrel

This time of year is all about the oven, and Poh's adamant that her , given to her by George Colombaris, is the best you'll make. Steve, her Greek fruiterer neighbour at Adelaide Central Market, completely agrees with her, conceding defeat in their moussaka bake-off (watch it on the video). In a nutshell, we can't go wrong with a tray of moussaka.

Silvia's biscuits

Italian almond biscuits (ricciarelli) Source: Cook like an Italian

These moreish gluten-free almond biscotti take mere moments to make and use only five ingredients (or even three, at a pinch). They also keep for weeks and weeks, so you can double the recipe and double the love. They are perfect for gifting to friends - which seems extra-fitting for a Silvia recipe.

Poh's dessert

Create all the flavours of a mille-feuille without all the fuss of the construction. Source: China Squirrel

This 'milly mess' recipe is pure Poh. She's taken a rather complex French classic dessert and turned into an achievable jar of heaven. This recipe proves once again that when you have Poh by your side, any dish is possible.

Silvia's snack

If anchovies aren't your thing, you can pop a cheese, ham or other 'surprise' inside instead. Source: Cook like an Italian

Deep-fried potato dough filled with salty anchovies for the win! Silvia shares her Calabrian friend Rose's coveted zeppole recipe and we just want to keep snacking on these fluffy gems forevermore.

Poh's dumplings

These little parcels are the ultimate comfort food. Source: Randy Larcombe Photography

While we're busy snacking, it's worth making a batch of Poh's pork and cabbage dumplings. Making dumplings seems fiddly until you get started. Then the whole process turns into an addictive meditation you'll find yourself doing regularly. Plus you get to make them exactly how you like them...

Silvia's pasta

Hand rolling and cutting your own tagliatelle will have you calling yourself Nonna in no time. Source: Cook like an Italian

Silvia walks us down the handmade pasta and slow-cooked proper ragu path with her usual bright enthusiasm.  Listen to her lovingly describe this "hearty pasta sauce of big chunks of meat simmered until fall-apart tender" in the video and you'll soon have a pot bubbling away on your stove for the recommended eight hours.

Poh's loaf

"This is THE most lovely, moist and versatile chocolate cake I’ve ever come across," says Poh. Source: Poh & Co.

Everyone needs a simple-but-delicious chocolate cake up their sleeve, and Poh's chocolate and brown sugar loaf is exactly that. It's the kind of recipe you can add and subtract from, but still end up with a moist, flavourful cake. Poh suggests adding spices like cardamom or cinnamon, or slicing it and filling with whipped cream or Frangelico. We are 100 percent here for that!

Silvia's risotto

Less is more with this risotto as a handful of simple ingredients bring together a bowl of Italian goodness. Source: Cook like an Italian

Silvia says this forgiving pea and prawn risotto is made by cooking with "hands and eyes", rather than measuring out precise ingredients. This kind of instinctual cooking is what Silvia teaches best. It's gentle, quiet cooking that is the perfect remedy after a rushed or hurried day.