copyright 2010 Maria Liberati

Tonight, August 10th is known as the night of San Lorenzo and the night of the ‘stelle cadente’ or falling stars. Saint Lorenzo was a martyr and legend has it that on this night his tears shoot out of the sky as falling stars.

Every August 10th, wherever I may be here in Italy..as long as weather permits we eat dinner outside  after the sun sets..and while eating we watch the shooting stars,the beauty of the night adds so much to the meal….hope you can do the same wherever you are..and here is a recipe from tonight’s dinner table..this is served cold and refreshing for a hot summer night to watch the stars:

Tartare Di Mango e Verdure (Tartare of Mango & Vegetables)

(Serves 4 people)

1 mango

1 fresh beet ,cooked till tender and peeled

1/2 cup dried lentils, soaked overnight and cooked till tender

2 carrots

3 leeks

juice of one fresh lemon

salt and pepper to taste

Clean carrots and cut into little sticks about 2 inches long, 1/4 inch wide.Set aside, Cut beet into sticks same dimension of carrots.Peel mango and cut into small cubes. Clean leeks and cut into small pieces. I nab owl place in 3 tblsps olive oil and lemon juice,salt and pepper. Add in chopped leeks, blend with fork.  On a plate, make a small tower in this way- arrange in the center of plate  a layer of lentils, then a layer of carrot sticks, then beet sticks, then mango cubes,top with olive oil dressing and repeat in 3 more plates,serve as an appetizer with a glass of chilled Friuli Grave Doc

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 copyright 2010 Maria Liberati

“An honest laborious Country-man, with good Bread, Salt and a little Parsley, will make a contented Meal with a roasted Onion.”
John Evelyn (1620-1706)

Parsley is the herb in fashion as it seems everyone is using it on everything..it is at its’ freshest now and most flavorful but where once we were using fresh rosemary it is now fresh parsley…

My morning today was pretty uneventful in this resort on the Adriatic coast..filled with fresh sea air,the sun providing her warm summer rays..On my stop at the local farm market after weighing my zucchini and eggplant, the woman at the counter told me (in Italian but I have translated here)  “parsley is like a perfect friend it makes room for all the other flavors..and rosemary ..is like a bully..crowding out some flavors.so if I want to get the full flavor of all these local veggies and just enhance them I should use fresh parsley when roasting..Rosemary is best to use in the winter when the freshness of the flavors of the veggies are not so intense..

Parsley has now become my best friend..if you take a bunch home from the market place it in a glass vase filled with water and change the water everyday..

For more recipes get your copy of the award winning The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

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Sept 9-12 see you at Hudson Valley Wine Fest in Rhinebeck, NY. For more info email info@marialiberati.com

Oct 29-30 see you at Philadelphia Gourmet Food & Wine Show, Valley Forge Convention Center, For more info email: info@marialiberati.com

copyright 2010 Maria Liberati

After a colazione of a buon cappuccino and a cornetto, a walk surrounded by the  sea air, the sun, and a fresh August breeze is the perfect wake up for me. But preparing lunch takes up most of my morning and keeps me entertained in the morning..from a trip to the ‘forno’ (baker) for fresh focaccia and just baked biscotti for dessert….a trip to the cheese store  for locally produced Pecorino and lastly a trip to the local fruit and vegetable vendor for locally grown fresh veggies, locally grown tomatoes from Francavilla al Mare, fresh zucchini and eggplant and ‘odori’ (aromas) –basil, parsley, celery.

My bags were overflowing with so many aromas I couldn’t concentrate on my walk home with all the scents practically dancing around my head..a 20 minute walk home turned into a 60 minute one..but that was fine I had my the fresh scents to keep me company.

Today’s lunch was a mix of the fresh flavors I brought home..a ratatouille of fresh eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes with shaved pecorino cheese on top of focaccia bread..

Ratatouille

1 fresh eggplant

1 fresh zucchini

3 cloves garlic

1 slice fresh onion

3 red, ripe ,plum tomatoes

3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

pinch of salt to taste

Clean eggplant and cut into cubes,clean zucchini and slice. Clean tomatoes, and filet. Place olive oil in saute pan, place in whole garlic, onion slice, saute for 30 seconds. Place in zucchini, eggplant, tomatoes, freshly chopped parsley. Cover, stir with wooden spoon every 5minutes. Cook for 30 minutes. Cut focaccia bread into serving sizes top with ratatouille and shave pecorino cheese or parmigiana-reggiano cheese on top.Serve with a chilled white wine.

For more recipes and stories of travels in Italy get your copy of The Basic Art of Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition (winner of the Best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA

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copyright 2010 Maria Liberati/art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc

Continuing my ‘Gastraonaut’ travels in Italy..in Pescara to experience some of the artisan foods, but also to view the new pedestrian bridge that was opened  this year…

But on the way made a stop in Rapino, a medieval town in the province of Chieti..Besides the ancient ruins..the menus that 4 of the restaurants there offer for lunch or dinner were spectacular..but since I could only stay for lunch and experience one menu it was a difficult choice and I spent an hour on the important decision.. but in an hour you can reflect poetic on the splendid view from Rapino a city that is’ media montagna’ (in mid mountain)….What would you choose?:

Menu 1-Potato & Truffle  mini gnocchi,Pappardelle pasta, palotte cace e ove (‘meatballs’  without meat made of cheese and eggs) fresh fruit in season

Menu 2-Cavatelli pasta with beschamel sauce, with zucchini and saffron from Navelli ( a town nearby),Pappardelle pasta with tomatoes, Raosted rabbit with roasted potatoes with rosemary and fresh mixed greens,fruit in season

Menu 3-Ravioli with nut sauce, Pasta alla Chitarra with meat sauce (ragu),Roasted lamb and roasted potatoes,mixed fruit in season

Menu 4-Pasta alla Chitarra with bacon (pancetta) and arugula, roasted wild boar, roasted peppers, fresh fruits in season.

A lot of eating for one lunch..but after a long reflection and a visit of the Grotto del Colle and the church of San Giovanni… I chose Menu 1 because of the appetizer of mini gnocchi (Gnoccchetti)  and the local specialty of ‘pallotte cace e ove’ (Meatless meatballs made with cheese and eggs). I slowly savored every bite of this meal, that was certainly a 100 mile meal (all ingredients came from nearby-100 miles or less) so everything was fresh and flavorful… after the meal a long walk around the  mercato for artisan crafts  (held in August) to relax

Here’s a recipe for a local specialty from Menu 1-

Palotte Cace e Ove.

(this is in dialect of region of Abruzzo, palotte means small balls and ‘cace’-short for ‘cacciocavallo’ –a type of cheese;ove is dialect for uove-which means eggs

2 whole eggs

1/2 cup grated pecorino cheese or a mix of pecorino and romano or parmiggiana cheese.

2 garlic cloves

handful of fresh parsley leaves chopped

bread crumbs  (freshly made)

pinch of salt

pinch of baking soda

4 tablespoons olive oil (for frying)

In a bowl place in chopped garlic, eggs, grated cheese, chopped parsley, pinch of salt and baking soda. Mix with a fork. Little by little place in bread crumbs and mix by hand. Place in enough breadcrumbs to be able to roll the mixture into the consistency of firm meatballs. Heat oil in frying pan and fry till brown. Serve plain or with some tomato sauce (sugo).

For more great recipes and stories on out of the way place in Italy get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions- 2nd edition

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Sept 9-12-Hudson valley Wine Fest,Rhinebeck, NY. For more info or to sponsor The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm onstage demo email: Info@marialiberati.com

Oct 29-30th- Gourmet Food & Wine Show, Philadelphia at the Valley Forge Convention  Center, Valley Forge ,Pa The Basic Art of Italian Cooking by Maria Liberati tm will be onstage. To attend or sponsor one of the onstage cooking demos email: Info@marialiberati.com

copyright 2010 Maria Liberati

My flavors have all been packed..well at least the dried ones..my fresh ones will have to wait till early tomorrow morning. I am packing for a week at the beach house..

Dried pepperoncini, dried rosemary, black pepper and its’ grinder, sea salt from Sicily..tomorrow morning awake early and grab a handful of fresh, organic rosemary from the garden,fresh parsley and fresh basil..some fresh lemons from Sorrento..a bottle of organic olive oil from Le Marche..a bottle of balsamic vinegar.

My suitcase of flavors always follow me to wherever I go..so that I can experience the local cuisine. One of the dishes will surely be a linguine with clams-those tiny little clams they have at the sea, a handful of freshly chopped parsley and a spritz of lemon to brighten the dish..

For more recipes get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking : Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition winner of the best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA

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Guest Writers Share your Joy with us..deadline July 31http://www.marialiberati.com/share-the-joy

In our American culture we tend to consider things that are not  pristine and spanking brand new less than worthy..but if you are planning a trip to Italy you will need to change your frame of mind… Italy is like a woman that has aged  beautifully..yes there are wrinkles and the foundation is not perfect but the history she has lived through and experienced all contribute to a different type of beauty. It is a type of beauty that you can’t purchase in a makeup bottle.. a beauty that is not achieved  easily..one that takes years to develop..like a fine bottle of wine or aged cheese.

ahh..fine aged cheese..gruyere cheese and potatoes and the perfect ‘pranzo’ (lunch)…working on this easy recipe for lunch for our first course..a change instead of pasta..great with a bottle of chilled Prosecco. You can also have these as a ‘chic’ appetizer…

Crostatine di Patate e Gruviera (Potato & Gruyere Tarts)

1 lb of gold potatoes

1 cup flour (unbleached)

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese

1 egg

1/4 lb of gruyere cheese (Or substitute fresh mozzarella cheese) cut into small pieces.

Homemade breadcrumbs (put day old bread in food processor,grind to crumbs and place in oven on cookie sheet till toasted)

dash of nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

Peel, clean potatoes,place in boiling water and boil till tender-approximately 20 minutes). Place in food processor and mash. Place in bowl while still hot and add in butter, parmigiana-reggiano, egg, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Blend with a wooden spoon, add in some breadcrumbs to make the mixture firm.  Divide mixture into small meatballs-the size of small peach. pat down slightly to make small pizza shapes.  Place on cookie sheet or grill pan that has been lightly coated with olive oil.Cover top of patties  with gruyere cheese. place under broiler for approximately 4 minutes or until cheese has melted and slightly golden. Serve hot with some freshly chopped parsley leaves and or top each little pizza with some chopped ,fresh tomatoes.

Buon Appetito!
Serve with a chilled white wine,Prosecco or Champagne

As Napoleon once said “one needs to drink champagne to celebrate  victory or to console oneself  upon defeat” .

For more great recipes get your copy of the award winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition

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Sept 9-12-see you at Hudson Valley Wine Festival in Rhinebeck, NY. I will be bringing The Basic Art of Italian Cooking to center stage with cooking demos, wine pairings from the latest book release.  For info or to sponsor on stage apperances email us at: info@marialiberati

copyright 2010, Maria Liberati/art of living, PrimaMedia,inc

Last month while in a supermarket in Italy, I was approached by an Italian  girl in her twenties..  after staring at the rice aisle for 3 minutes,  she asked me  ”what rice is for risotto?” then ..came an even more shocking question..”How do you make risotto?” she shyly asked .  Shocking because. ..it is a traditional dish, one that is handed down from generation to generation in Italy… or once was  handed down from generation to generation…

What happened to that age old art of Cooking from Scratch? Is there anyone out there that still knows what it means to really cook from scratch? Or has this art gone extinct like the dinosaur?

I can more easily tell you what it doesn’t mean..opening up a package or a box of a mix already put together and processed so it could sit on the shelf until you purchased it..just because you add in water or milk or eggs, sugar does not mean you are ‘cooking from scratch’

And once you have experienced it , you will never want to go back. It is the only way to taste the full, true flavors of real food,intense and fresh.  Don’t be afraid ..It sounds more intimidating than it really is and it is also a lot less expensive than purchasing pre-made and healthier too.

For lunch today I am making a fresh cold pasta dish…hope you can experience it with me.Get the recipe in the next post..

Maria

Find more recipes in The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays & Special Occasions-2nd edition- selected as the Best Italian Cuisine Book in the USA by Gourmand World Cookbook Awards.

Sept 9-12-See you at the Hudson Valley Wine Festival in Rhinebeck, NY at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds. For info or so sponsor this appearance email: Info@marialiberati.com

copyright, 2010 art of living,PrimaMedia,Inc./Maria Liberati

My favorite recipes combine ‘healthy with delicious’..and I am always in search of ingredients to help me in this ‘mission’..artisan ingredients are the healthiest version of foods..so when  I found a lite version of a freshly made Gouda cheese I began working on something special in The Basic Art of Italian Cooking  test kitchens here..and this is what we came up with. This works well as an appetizer or as a light dinner to be eaten on the terrazzo  ‘al fresco’… on a warm summer night with a loaf of crusty whole grain bread and a glass of chilled white wine. ( Falenghina, or Est!Est!Est!)

Baked Tomatoes with Gouda

3 large tomatoes (washed)

4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

2 garlic cloves chopped finely

4 ounces gouda cheese

3 leeks finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tomatoes in half. Grease a baking pan with 1 tablespoon of the oil, spread in pan  with clean fingers. Place tomato halves in greased pan On each tomato half place 1 tsp of olive oil.  Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in  saute  pan.  Saute finely chopped garlic with finely chopped leeks over low heat, just until golden. Remove from heat, place garlic mixture on top of tomato halves divided evenly. Bake tomatoes for 10 minutes. Grate Gouda cheese and place on top of tomato halves place under broiler until cheese is bubbly. Remove and serve…hot or cool…

May 25th, 11 AM- Book Signing at Book Expo America, Javits Convention Center, NY, NY. First 100 visitors get a free galley copy of the second edition of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking:Holiday & Special Occasions

For info on this event email : info@marialiberati.com

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Maria

copyright 2009-2010, art of living .PrimaMedia,Inc

Olive oil..one of the elixirs of life..and if it is an elixir of life you want to use only the best elixir

Choose your olive oil as you are choosing an important part of your life…

The key to choosing great Olive Oil is choosing one that is made from only olives in a specific region in Italy and will have the letters doc or dop after the name.

Walking up the hill in the   town of -Loreto Aprutina-right outside Pescara (a seaside resort in Abruzzo) the constant view of olive trees put me in a calm,.meditative state. The sun sparkled its’ light brightly onto  the leaves which seemed to shine in thank you to the sun.. Its’ no wonder the olive oil here has long been known as liquid golf

Loreto-Aprutino-is famous for many things. But  the  Loreto-Aprutino DOC olive oil has been known throughout history as ‘liquid gold’..because of it’s taste and color but also because most of the people in town earned their living from the olive oil they produced

The perfect Spring recipe to use the Loreto-Aprutino DOC olive oil :
Insalata di Pollo al Limone

1 lb chicken breasts

2 lemons-squeezed and peeled (chop peel finely)

7-8 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 cup fresh strawberries washed and hulled

1 lb fresh asparagus tips steamed

2 lbs Scamorza Cheese (dried mozzarella)-cut into cubes

16 ounces of fresh salad greens (Any mix you like)

Dressing:
Mix 3/4 cup  strawberries, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. dash of salt and pepper to taste. Mix in blender or food processor.

Instructions:

Place chicken breasts in saute pan with 3 tablespoons of already warm olive oil,lemon peel. Saute on both sides till brown and cooked thoroughly. remove from heat. Place asparagus tips in 2 tablespoons of olive oil,.dash of salt and pepper for10 minutes to marinate.. In separate bowl marinate scamorza cheese, with olive oil and dash of salt and pepper. arrange plate this way:Place marinated scamorza in center then place slices of chicken breasts around it, then surround that with greens and fresh strawberry slices, Top with strawberry vinaigrette. and slivered almonds.

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Maria

at marialiberati.com….where Food meets Art, Travel & Life!

Here is  another recipe Chef Enea Barbanera shared while I was at Le Cordon Bleu in Boston last week. The event was in conjunction with the Italian Culinary Foundation and it was a tasty one!

This recipe is one of my favorites since it is a very traditional Italian dish-Giardinera, and by the way it is healthy since it contains all fresh vegetables. Great as an antipasto!

Use this for one of your Holiday appetizers..

Giardinera

*Cauliflower (florets only)- 1 lb 2 ounces
*Zucchini cut into small pieces-1 lb. 2 zs.

*Carrots-cut int osmall discs-1 lb 2 ozs

*Green Onions- 1lb 2 ozs.

*Mushrooms- cut in half-1lb 2 ozs.

*Scallions-1 lb 2 ozs.

*Red & Green Peppers- cut into small irregular pieces-1 lb 2 ozs.

For the marinade:
*White Wine Vinegar-4 cups

*Dry White Wine- 4 cups

*Salt-2 tblsps

*Sugar-3/4 cup

*1 bay leaf

*Blak Pepper to taste

*Grated Orange peel of one orange

For Preserving:
*White Wine Vinegar-2 cups

*Dry White Wine-2 cups

*Green Peppercorns-2 tblsps

Clean, cut and blanche vegetables (do nor overcook). Mix marinade ina bowl and palce in blanched vegetables.  When vegetables are cooled, trasfer to preserving jars.

Boil the vinegar and white wine for preserving together. Pour hot liquid over vegetables. Clean edges of jars and hermetically seal the jars. You can consume this immediately.

For more great recipes get your copy of The Basic Art of Italian Cooking at http://www.marialiberati.com and http://stores.lulu.com/marialiberati

“Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene”

Maria