Fave e cicoria (Fava Bean Purée with Chicory)

FrankBasilicata, Puglia37 Comments

Fave e cicoria (Fava Bean Puree with hicory)

La cucina povera, or the cuisine of the poor, has become quite fashionable in recent years. Based on ‘humble’ ingredients (some of which have ironically become quite expensive) and simple cooking techniques, these traditional peasant dishes were born out of necessity. And yet they still appeal to us today, partly out … Read More

Cialledda (Bread and Tomato Salad)

Frankantipasti, Puglia32 Comments

Cialledda

One of things I find fascinating about Italian cookery—cookery in generally, really—is how you can take a culinary idea and, with a few subtle changes in ingredients or technique, get very different results. The frugal idea of mixing stale bread with chopped up tomatoes to make a salad, for example, gave … Read More

Agnello e piselli (Lamb and Peas)

FrankCampania, Puglia, secondi piatti28 Comments

Lamb and Peas

I love second courses that pair meat and vegetable in a single dish. Not only is the combination invariably delicious, but it saves the cook from making an extra dish. In this speciality from Puglia and Campania, lamb—the ne plus ultra of spring meats—is paired with peas—one of the classic … Read More

Taralli pugliesi

Frankantipasti, Puglia, snack35 Comments

Taralli pugliesi

It is said that the three pillars of Puglia’s agriculture are wheat, wine and olives, and all three make their way into this simple but tasty Puglian snack. Flour, white wine and olive oil are mixed to make a simple dough, formed into rings and, much like bagels, briefly simmered and … Read More