copyright 2010 Maria Liberati

A cool August night in the piazza in Tagliacozzo and nothing soothes the soul more than eating a dish of creamy gelato in front of the fountain in Piazza Obelisco while discussing French and Italian wines….. and ..since the discussion is in Italy with only Italians… favoritism slanted to the wines of Italy..

As the heated discussion continues..and I try to concentrate on the smooth, creamy glob of chocolate sliding down my throat, and the medieval architecture of teh buildings in view… almost not paying any attention to the discussion that is well in progress..

Let’s just say that the conclusion was that Italian wines have an edge over French wines because of the superior quality of the Italian grapes, since climate is more favorable to grow grapes in Italy..,,grapes grown in France tend to be bitter…Italian grapes are sweeter..French tend to aromatize their wines.they have to because the grapes are bitter..Italian wines are made without anything added..just real grapes…

Anyway the perfect way to cool the discussion was to turn all thoughts onto the dishes of gelato we were at this point halfway through..after a few more spoonfuls who could think about anything else..our taste buds  were drunk with the intensity of the flavor..and the discussion turned to which flavor is the best and where the best gelato places were….even a subject that cool got a little heated since Italians are passionate about their gelato also…well what is it that they are not passionate about??

But the discussion all of a sudden stopped as everyone quietly concentrated  on finishing their dish…every last drop..and everything was forgotten..and we joined everyone for our evening walk around the piazza..and an evening of  intent discussion ended cool, relaxed and satiated..

copyright 2009, Maria Liberati

Stopped for a picnic today in the mountains of Abruzzo..after all it is the 15th of August..the biggest summer Holiday in all of Europe. It marks the end of the summer ..one last fling with summer before it is over…so if you are not on a beach or in the mountains you begin to feel like you are in a ghost town..no one is left..But not to worry … come Monday everyone will return.

The menu today was a cold pasta salad, fresh mozzarella slices marinated in olive oil and pepperoncino, roasted potatoes with rosemary,roasted/stuffed eggplant and peppers, grilled chicken with olive oil and rosemary. And what could be more fitting for dessert on this hot August day than fresh slices of watermelon…chill the whole watermelom in a tub of cold ice water for 30 minutes, slice 30 minutes before serving and place slices in refrigerator for 30 minutes..serve cool for the most refreshing effect..can’t forget the wine..we had a Falenghina (comes from a town called Benevento in region of Campania).

The menu was simple and rustic but ohhh so delicious…here are some simple recipes to have your 15th of August picnic this weekend.

Authentic Italian cooking is made up of only a few ingredients so each ingredient plays an important role in making the  recipe a success, so  use the best ingredients and you will get the best results..extra virgin,cold pressed olive oil; fresh basil ,fresh red ripe tomatoes on the vine or grape tomatoes, pasta of durum semolina wheat.

Pasta con Pomodoro Crudo (Pasta with Fresh Tomatoes)

*1 lb rigatoni pasta

*1 lb grape tomatoes or tomatoes on the vine (cut into cubes)

*8 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into cubes

* 6-7 fresh basil leaves washed

*3 tablespooons extra virgin,cold pressed olive oil

*salt to taste

Cook pasta as directed on package, drain. Place in bowl, let cool. When cool, place in other ingredients except basil leaves, salt to taste,stir. Top with fresh basil leaves, place in refrigerator for 30 minutes, serve.

Marinated Mozzarella

*1 lb fresh mozzarella

*3 tblsps extra virgin,cold pressed olive oil

*2 small dry red hot peppers

Cut mozzarella into slices, arrange slices on dish. Pour olive oil on top of slices. place red peppers on top, cover, let marinate for one hour, serve with crusty Italian bread

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene,

Maria

The souvenir  I am sending from Italy is the fresh summer meal eaten outside on the terrazzo under the warm August sun. Our terrazzo overlooks the mountains of Abruzzo so the calm and quiet of a Saturday afternoon in the dead of summer is especially relaxing..only the sound of the birds chirping in the background and an occasional car and vespa driving by interrupted the quiet. The peaceful quiet made it easy to meditate on the beauty surrounding me, nothing artificial all  created by mother nature..the trees, the grass, the roling hills and mountains in the landscape, the chirping birds, the shining sun.   Makes you wonder what else could one need here? Think about it ,the relaxing quiet of no clutter just the things nature has given us,,

 The wine that acompanied the meal was a Cerasuolo-made in Abruzzo. But the best part of the meal was the dessert-fresh figs from our garden-we just had to reach up and take our choice of  the ripes ones.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could pick all of our foods that way-just go in your backyard and pick what you want-the fruits and vegetables still full of vitamins and minerals and flavor.. 

Cerasuolo, fresh figs and a terrazzo…and the August sun..what a day’s memory..

I will be posting many of the recipes for dishes I prepared each day while here later on in the next two weeks.  The next two weeks are a whirlwind of interviews and appearances for me- Umbria, Chieti, Pescara, Rome,Abruzzo.

I will be bringing back fresh memories and recipes from all places that is one thing for certain aside fro mthe fascinating people and places I will visit..

For recipes get a copy of the best selling book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking  at http://www.marialiberati.com