Italian Recipes For Dummies. Amy Riolo

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СКАЧАТЬ dinners may consist of a second course, side dish, salad, fruit and cheese, and espresso (often omitting the appetizer and first course).

       Pasta, risotto, or gnocchi is typically present in Italian lunches.

       Fresh, seasonal, local, organic foods are always preferred.

       Pasta dishes are never preceded by soup. Soup can be enjoyed on its own, or as a first course instead of pasta.

      A sample springtime meal

      Springtime dishes in Italy consist of a symphony of fresh flavors. Gardens give way to certain varieties of artichokes, fava beans and legumes, baby potatoes and carrots, spinach, fennel, peas, and asparagus, just to name a few of the ingredients that are available. Apricots and citrus are also usually plentiful. In terms of meat, lamb, veal, and kid take center stage because, in the way they were traditionally raised, they were old enough to be slaughtered in the spring. For that reason, lamb and goat in the south are usually served at Eastertime, along with a variety of other fresh ingredients.

      Keep in mind that you should always adjust the ingredients to reflect what’s in season in your area in the springtime, but the techniques and recipes still work well.

Table 4-1 outlines a typical (non-holiday or Sunday) springtime meal with dishes that can be created from this book. I have replaced the dessert course with frutta options from the fruit, cheese, and nut course (see Chapter 17) because this is an everyday menu. If you wanted to turn it into a Sunday menu, simply add dessert and swap out the pasta and the main course for longer cooking items.

TABLE 4-1: Springtime Meal Menu

Course	Recipe	Location
Antipasto	Crostini con purea di cannellini/Crostini with Cannellini Bean Purée	Chapter 6
Primo	Spaghetti al limone/Lemon-Infused Spaghetti	Chapter 8
Secondo	Scaloppine di vitello/Veal Cutlets	Chapter 13
Contorno	Asparagi grigliati con balsamico bianco e parmigiano/Chargrilled Asparagus with White Balsamic and Parmesan	Chapter 14
Insalata	Insalata verde/Green Salad	Chapter 15
Frutta	Susine grigliate con ricotta e miele/Grilled Plums with Ricotta and Honey	Chapter 17
Caffé	Caffé/Classic Espresso	Chapter 16

      A sample summertime meal

      Summer in Italy is all about keeping cool and the opportunity to head to the sea or the mountains to do so. Until the late 20th century, air conditioning was not used, and seasonal produce was used to promote cooling effects and the nutrients needed during the hot months. Many Italians who live in large cities own or rent homes at the beach or in the mountains, specifically for the purpose of spending time in the summer (especially August) away from the city heat.

      Seafood, lighter meats, poultry, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, fresh herbs, greens, zucchini, melons, and berries take center stage during the warmer months. Chilled soups, cool carpaccios, pasta and rice salads, and fresh, light sauces are part of summer repertoires. Heavy sauces, intense baking, and rich, intricate recipes are avoided in the heat. Pizza, though, is still enjoyed, especially so at the beach and during summer evenings. In terms of cooking methods, grilling, pan-frying, and raw foods are the most commonly used applications when warmer temperatures abound.

Table 4-2 outlines a typical (non-holiday or Sunday) summer meal with dishes that can be created from this book. I have replaced the dessert course with frutta options from the fruit, cheese, and nut course (see Chapter 17) because this is an everyday menu. If you wanted to turn it into a Sunday menu, simply add dessert and swap out the pasta and the main course for longer cooking items.

TABLE 4-2: Summer Meal Menu

СКАЧАТЬ

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Course	Recipe	Location
Antipasto	Bruschetta con pomodori/Tomato Bruschetta	Chapter 6
Primo	Trofie al pesto/Trofie Pasta with Pesto Sauce OR Dried pasta with same Pesto Sauce	Chapter 9
Secondo	Polpo alla griglia/Marinated Grilled Octopus OR Petto di pollo marinato/Marinated Chicken Breasts	Chapter 11 Chapter 12
Contorno	Verdure grigliate/Grilled Mixed Vegetables	Chapter 14
Insalata	Insalata di pomodori e peperoni/Tomato and Roasted Pepper Salad	Chapter 15