My Two Countries

ITALIAN FOOD LIFESTYLE

My husband puts it very well when he says that Italian cooking is a way of living and a way of healing. If life isn't going according to plan and you want to forget about the tough times, put your hands on a glowing, red tomato and prepare un'insalata mista. Try it and life will feel suddenly much better, you will see.

In Italy we cook because this is a very important part of life. It is an essential part of life. We cook big lunches because many husbands in small cities and villages still come home each day to eat. In the evening, we prepare a meal for the entire family.

Here is a short overview  of  how we prepare at home  a simple  and fresh ' insalata  mista ', a wonderful simple side for summer lunches and dinners.

The Salad
Get your hands on one or two medium, glowing, red tomatoes (organic if possible)

Cut them into thin wedges (1/5 inch at most)

Add a handful of fresh arugula or Boston lettuce and thinly chop it.

Cut  few thin cucumber slices

Add 4/5 basil leaves roughly chopped.

The Vinaigrette
On the side take a small bowl and mix a bit of good virgin olive oil, two to three spoonfuls of lemon juice (or one spoonful of Modena Balsamic Vinegar). Mix it well and add a touch of salt and pepper to taste.

 
Everything goes on a nice serving bowl, in this way:
Onions and/or garlic.
Salad
3 or 4 roughly chopped fragrant  basil leaves
Tomatoes and Cucumbers

Top it off with a small handful of black olives.

To complete the salad let all of the ingredients stand together and pour the vinaigrette over it just before serving,  mix it well and quickly.

Tip                                                                                            A small magic touch:
Add some chopped basil to the vinaigrette and let it stand while preparing the salad, it will infuse the oil.

Thin is the word  for this recipe.
Why cut the tomato in thin slices?
The thinner the slices are the easier it will be to get a mouthful of the tomatoes full body fragrance and less of the tomato skin.

Roughly cut some of the  basil leaves and mix them with the salad. The basil perfume will then have time to infuse into it.

Onion or garlic- thinly  chopped  for the same reasons.

"The Italian Way"

When serving a meal nothing gets mixed together. All courses are kept separate, the main course (fish or meat) are separate from the salad and sides or cheese.

When eating at home everyone serves themselves from the main serving dishes. There is one for the meat, fish or cured meat. One for the sides. One for the salad.

This way has great benefits - the quantities are smaller  and the tastes and smells will come together in your mouth, just the way you want it! It is also a great way to bond with your family.

"The American way”

At home, in Italy, we do not sprinkle cheese on this simple fresh salad. Although at many local restaurants you can receive this upon request.

If you really want to add some cheese then sprinkle just a touch  of a good grated parmigiano reggiano or pecorino romano

There is no love sincerer than

the love of food.

           George Bernard Shaw