This was a dish I made up on the spot today, finding a stray single link of Italian sausage, some leftover ricotta and some frozen peas at the bottom of the freezer. The result was very good indeed—I thought I had stumbled on a new classic, until I check it … Read More
Pappa al pomodoro (Tuscan Tomato and Bread “Soup”)
In the days when freshly baked bread was a staple of everyday life, a plethora of recipes grew up for using leftover stale bread. This classic Tuscan recipe is, to my mind, the very best of the lot—pappa al pomodoro, literally “mush with tomatoes”. (Sounds better in Italian, doesn’t it?) … Read More
Arista alla fiorentina (Florentine Spit-Roasted Pork Loin)
Arista alla fiorentina, or Florentine Spit-Roasted Pork Loin, is one of the signature dishes of Tuscan cookery. And like so many Tuscan dishes, the dish is as simple as it is good. Ingredients 1 pork loin roast Olive oil, q.b. For the dry marinade: 2-3 cloves of garlic 2-3 sprigs … Read More
Insalata di arance rosse (Blood Orange Salad)
I recently found some blood oranges from California at the market–and I love blood oranges–so I made a blood orange salad as ‘dessert’: you just peel and slice the oranges, sprinkle over some black olives (Gaeta or nicoise are best), bits of red onion and parsley. Season with a bit … Read More
Tagliatelle alle zucchini (Tagliatelle with Zucchini)
Vegetables and pasta were meant for each other. And no vegetable says summer like zucchini. Ergo, there’s no more iconic summer pasta than tagliatelle with zucchini! Start by sauteing some sliced baby zucchine in olive oil with a chopped up shallot over moderate heat, seasoning with salt and pepper as it … Read More
Frittata di patate e cipolle (Flat Omelette with Potatoes and Onions)
Besides her fabulous pastas, Angelina would make wonderful Italian flat omelettes or frittate. I loved them. This was one, stuffed with potatoes and onions, she would make often. Made from the humblest of ingredients, it left you soooo satisfied… A frittata is rather easy to make, with one slight tricky … Read More
Risotto: The Basic Recipe
Risotto is Italy’s unique contribution to rice cookery. At its most basic, risotto is rice toasted in a flavor base of sautéed onion, then simmered in broth added ladleful by ladleful. When the rice is cooked, it is vigorously stirred with grated cheese (and sometimes butter) into a creamy and delicious mound. … Read More
Aglio, olio e peperoncino (Pasta with Garlic, Oil and Hot Pepper)
Here’s another super simple pasta that I call the “mother of all pasta dishes” since its garlic and oil base forms the foundation for countless other pasta sauces. It’s also the quintessential impromptu snack the Italians call una spaghettata. I’m sure all the Italians and Italo-Americans out there have grown up … Read More
