Italian OK

Thanks to Elena for a light hearted but true quite true article on Italian stereotypes in the US.

Just a heads up, I found this fantastic Italian Language blog tonight http://ciaoitaliablog.wordpress.com/ and thought it may be of some use!!

Ciao!

I tried Jamie Oliver’s fried pizzas recipe yesterday after seeing it on his site and they were delicious, I recommend you all try them.  They make great little starters too!!

We have been asked on the facebook group to provide a recipe for fresh pasta, so here goes.  I have used this Jamie Oliver recipe a few times and had good results.  Enjoy!

Hey guys, sorry I’ve been neglecting the blog for a while, life just seemed to get in the way.  However now we’re back and we’ve even set up a Facebook page so that you can tell us what you want to see on the site.  Thanks for stopping by and keep checking up on us because we have big plans for the next months!  Ciao!

Here is the link! http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=156472261045191&ref=ts

A nice simple summery starter that goes beautifully with crusty bread!

Ingredients

• 700g Mozzarella (the best quality you can find)
• 400g Baby Tomatoes
• 1 small tin of anchovies
• 1 garlic clove
• Olive oil
• Olives (with stone if possible)
• Oregano
• Basil
• Salt + Pepper

Method

Chop the garlic finely and fry it in a little olive oil. Now add the tomatoes and cook for around 10 minutes. Chop the mozzarella, olives (remove the stone first) and the anchovies and add to the pan, give a quick stir. To finish chop the parsley and roughly rip the basil, now add both. Season to taste (add salt sparingly as the anchovies will be salty).

This recipe is a great way to make meatballs vegetarian and a little more summery.

Ingredients

• 500gr boiled potatoes
• 1-2 eggs
• Parmesan
• Any vegetables you have (peppers, aubergine, courgette, brocolli)
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil

Wash and roughly chop the vegetables, now cook them in a large frying pan with garlic and oil. Leave to cool Now break up the boiled potatoes and 1 egg, salt and the cheese. Now add the cooked vegetables and enough breadcrumbs to ensure the mix is not runny. If you put too much breadcrumbs in and the mix doesn’t hold add the other egg.

Now make the meatballs and once you are happy with their shape roll them around in the breadcrumbs. At this point heat some oil in a frying pan, it should be medium hot and not smoking, when the oil reaches temperature carefully add the meatballs to it and roll them a few times so that all of the outside is cooked.

These can be eaten hot or cold.

Buon appetito

I know veal’s not really eaten much in the UK but this dish is simple and absolutely delicious. Give it a shot!

Ingredients

• 8 veal scallops (50gr each)
• 40 gr butter
• 1 glass of red wine
• The rind from 1 lemon
• 3 juniper berries
• 1 garlic clove
• flour
• salt and pepper

Method

Flour the scallops and leave them to one side. Melt the butter in a frying pan and cook the scallops for a couple of minutes on each side. Place the scallops in an oven dish.

Boil the red wine with the lemon rind and add the garlic clove and juniper berries. After a few minutes when the sauce is reduced a bit pass it through a sieve and pour the sauce on the meat. Add salt and pepper and cook in an oven for around 5 minutes at 200°.

 Ingredients (4 People)

• 4 Sirloin steaks
• 200gr Gorgonzola
• 70 gr butter
• Salt and pepper
• Olive oil
• Parsley

 Method

Prepare the sauce by heating the butter and Gorgonzola in a frying pan on a low heat, add a little water if the sauce becomes too creamy, season well with the pepper. Now cook the steaks to your liking in a skillet or frying pan, make sure to season them well before cooking. If cooking in a frying pan add a little butter and as your turn the steaks pour the melted butter of them.

Plate the steaks up without the sauce and when you’re happy with the presentation pour 2 spoons full of sauce over the steaks. Pour the rest of the sauce in a jug so those at the table can choose if they want more. Just before serving sprinkle with some finely chopped parsley.

Cesena were promoted to the top flight of Italian football 2 days ago after 19 years.  This video has been doing the rounds on a fair few Napoli forums, it’s a scene acted by the legendary Massimo Troisi (a Neapolitan actor).  Unfortunatly it’s in Neapolitan so only those of you who speak or undertand Italian will understand it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1zT-iZxNCM