Way Off Topic: Felice 8 Marzo!
March 8 is International Woman's Day, and is an occasion for considerable celebration in Italy. <BR><BR> Not familiar with L'8 Marzo? Like many other days set aside to celebrate the rights of workers, the International Woman's Day's origins are American: At the turn of the last century women were entering the workforce in record numbers in the United States, and began to agitate for better working conditions and pay, as well as the vote. In 1908 the Socialist women of the US held demonstrations for improved working conditions, better pay, and suffrage on February 28. On February 28 1909 several thousand women turned out in Manhattan, and during the same winter the women working in the sweatshops struck for better conditions and pay, with the support of the Woman's Trade Union, which provided bail money and food. <BR><BR> American women continued to observe February 28 as Woman's Day, while in 1910 the delegates of the Socialist International Meeting in Copenhagen voted unanimously to establish an International Women's Day, without setting a specific date. <BR><BR> So in 1911 the women of Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland demonstrated on March 19, and it is estimated that more than a million people participated. A week later, on March 25, in Manhattan the Triangle fire claimed the lives of more than 140 workers, mostly immigrant girls -- there was only one fire escape for the hundreds of people trapped in the burning floors -- and the newspaper accounts led to calls for reform, while tying the fire to the struggle for women's rights in popular imagery. (For more information, including heart-rending newspaper accounts, see the <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/">Triangle Fire pages</a>). <BR><BR> Yearly demonstrations continued, becoming associated with the peace movements that formed as a response to the gathering clouds of war in Europe; in particular, Russian women settled on February 28 as the day for their demonstrations. And continued to demonstrate during the war; despite opposition from other activists, on the last Sunday of February -- the 23rd -- 1917 they went on strike to protest conditions at home and the more than 2 million war dead. They called for "bread and peace," and four days later the Czar capitulated; one of the first things the provisional government did was grant women the right to vote. The date, February 23 on the Julian calendar then used in Russia, was March 8 in the Gregorian calendar used elsewhere, and that's why International Woman's Day is March 8. <BR><BR> In Italy it's an occasion for meetings, talks, and demonstrations, and men traditionally give women a sprig of mimosa, with its bright yellow blossoms, to mark the occasion. I'm off to buy Daughter Clelia and Wife Elisabetta theirs. Again, happy March 8 to all who celebrate it!<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/08/way-off-topic-felice-8-marzo.htm">Way Off Topic: Felice 8 Marzo!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 01:14:00.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/08/way-off-topic-felice-8-marzo.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/08/way-off-topic-felice-8-marzo.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/08/way-off-topic-felice-8-marzo.htm&#038;zItl=Way Off Topic: Felice 8 Marzo!">Email this</a></p>
An Italian Meal for the Week
<B>To Begin, an Aside: </B>I have just posted <A HREF="http://italianwinereview.blogspot.com/2010/03/chianti-classico-2010-anteprima.html">my notes from this year's Chianti Classico vintage presentation</A>, and also selections of the <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa030510a.htm">Chianti D'Annata</A> and <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa030510b.htm">Riserve</A> that impressed me. However, these wines are still in Italy; what you will now find in stores are the <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa031709a.htm">Chianti D'Annata (vintage wines)</A> and <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa031709b.htm">Chianti Riserve</A> presented last year. And what might you serve with them? <BR><BR> <strong>Starting with a <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa031709a.htm">Chianti d'Annata</A>:</strong><br /> <br /><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/antipasti/ss/aa092906.htm">Mixed cold cuts</A>, <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/antipasti/ss/aa100206.htm">antipasto misto</A>, and <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/antipasti/a/aa031998.htm">crostini</A>.<BR><BR> Followed by (we're in winter and it's cold) Pasta (my father-in-law is partial to penne) al sugo, with a <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/meatsauces/r/blr0026.htm">bolognese sauce</A>, which is as common in Tuscany as it is in Emilia Romagna.<BR><BR> <strong>Then, moving up to a <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa031709b.htm">Chianti Classico Riserva</A>:</strong><br /><br /> You might have stewed <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/furredgameetc/r/blr0655.htm">wild boar</A> (or <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefvealstews/r/blr0251b.htm">beef</A>), or perhaps a <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefbracioleetc/r/blr0568.htm">bistecca alla fiorentina</A> (a portherhouse steak), served with <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/vegetablessalads/r/blr0083.htm">spinach</A> and either <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/potatoes/r/blr1106.htm">fried</A> or <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/potatoes/r/blr1917.htm">mashed</A> potatoes.<BR><BR> To finish up, <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/spoondesserts/r/blr1554.htm">Zuppa Inglese</A>. Some might be tempted to serve it with a sweet wine, a vinsanto even, but I would simply want an espresso, and (perhaps) a tiny glass of grappa.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/05/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-36.htm">An Italian Meal for the Week</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 14:39:30.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/05/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-36.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/05/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-36.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/05/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-36.htm&#038;zItl=An Italian Meal for the Week">Email this</a></p>
Almost Wordless Wednesday: Fesa di Tacchino, or Turkey Breast
<A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/favoriterecipes/tp/aa010710.htm"><IMG SRC="http://z.about.com/d/italianfood/1/0/D/9/1/fesatacchinoww.jpg" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=233 WIDTH=300 ALT="Fesa di Tacchino"></A><br /><br />Whole turkeys are rare in Italian markets: A few appear around Christmas, but during the rest of the year you'll mostly find skinned turkey breasts, generally sold either whole or by the half, though some enterprising merchants slice them and charge (often quite a bit) more for having done so. There are also turkey drumsticks, but not nearly as many, and I occasionally wonder where they go. Most likely to processed foods.<BR><BR> Returning to turkey breast, it is quite popular in Italy because in addition to being inexpensive it is lean, mildly flavored, and adaptable: one can do all sorts of things with it. If you click on the photo you'll be taken to <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/favoriterecipes/tp/aa010710.htm">a collection of turkey breast recipes</A>. And here are several chicken breast recipes that will also work quite well with turkey breast: <UL> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/chickencapon/r/blr1836.htm">Chicken (or Turkey) Rollups with Bell Peppers</A></B><br />Bell peppers and breast meat makes for an ideal spring-summer dish.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/chickencapon/r/blr1453.htm">Chicken (or Turkey) Breasts with Hazelnuts</A></B><BR>Tasty, and easy to do.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/chickencapon/r/blr1651.htm">Chicken (or Turkey) Cuscus &#038; Caper Salad</A></B><BR>This is a distinctly modern Italian revisitation of a traditional Italian food -- Sicily's cuscus -- of the sort that you might find in a trendy caf?hat caters to those on their office lunch hour, or who want a quick refreshing bite to eat.</LI> </UL><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/03/almost-wordless-wednesday-fesa-di-tacchino-or-turkey-breast.htm">Almost Wordless Wednesday: Fesa di Tacchino, or Turkey Breast</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 at 05:18:38.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/03/almost-wordless-wednesday-fesa-di-tacchino-or-turkey-breast.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/03/almost-wordless-wednesday-fesa-di-tacchino-or-turkey-breast.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/03/almost-wordless-wednesday-fesa-di-tacchino-or-turkey-breast.htm&#038;zItl=Almost Wordless Wednesday: Fesa di Tacchino, or Turkey Breast">Email this</a></p>
Involtini.... Vegetariani
Involtini are generally meat based, a scallop or braciola wrapped around a filling and cooked. But one can also use vegetables -- either borad leaves or slices of something along the lines of eggplant -- as a base, and wrap them up around a meatless filling. The result is perfect for a light lunch, and also well suited to Lent, if you are observing it. A couple of ideas: <UL> <LI><b><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/vegetablepiesandmore/r/blr1955.htm">Involtini Vegetatiani con Biete e Patate</A></b><br />Leafy vegetables such as Swiss chard are perfectly suited to being rolled up, and do a fine job of containing a potato filling. This will make for a nice light lunch, if served with crusty bread and a tossed salad.</li> <LI><b><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/zucchinirecipes/r/blr1556.htm">Involtini di Zucchine</A></b><br />With a cheese and bell pepper filling.</li> <LI><b><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/eggplant/r/blr1481.htm">Involtini di Melanzana alle Noci</A></b><br />This is a quick easy eggplant rollup recipe that is quite newfangled in style, and will work nicely as part of a light lunch, especially if made with care, at which point it becomes quite impressive.</li> <LI><b><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/veggieantipasti/r/blr0744.htm">Involtini di Peperone</A></b><br />A classic Piemontese recipe, roasted bell pepper strips rolled up around tuna.</li> </UL><BR> <B><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/feb/28/rose-gray-obituary"> Farewell, Rose</a></B><BR> I did not know Rose Gray, and have never been to the River Cafe, one of London's most influential Italian restaurants. But Ronan Bennett's tribute is beautiful, and makes me wish I had had occasion to go. <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/01/involtini-vegetariani.htm">Involtini.... Vegetariani</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Monday, March 1st, 2010 at 05:25:20.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/01/involtini-vegetariani.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/01/involtini-vegetariani.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/03/01/involtini-vegetariani.htm&#038;zItl=Involtini.... Vegetariani">Email this</a></p>
An Italian Meal For The Week
The days are significantly longer now, and it has gotten warmer. Not any drier, however, and dishes that bring warmth to the table are still quite welcome. Few things are quite as good at bringing heat to a plate as Risotto, so we'll start with it: <BR><BR> <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/vegetarianrisotti/r/blr1876.htm">Risotto al Rosmarino</A>: Risotto is generally seasoned with some sort of meat or vegetable, or something creamy. But there are other options, and a risotto seasoned with rosemary will have a delightful woodsy feel and provide a nice change of pace. Followed by: <BR><BR> <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/chickencapon/r/blr1453.htm">Petti Di Pollo Alle Nocciole</A>, Chicken Breasts with Hazel Nuts: Another woodsy dish, and quite tasty too. And, on the side, in honor of dieting, a tossed salad seasoned with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and a drop of vinegar.<BR><BR> <BR>To Finish Up? Fresh fruit, and this time I might go with a pear. Wine? Red, not too heavy, and Campriano's Chianti Colli Senesi might be nice.<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/26/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-35.htm">An Italian Meal For The Week</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Friday, February 26th, 2010 at 19:29:02.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/26/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-35.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/26/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-35.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/26/an-italian-meal-for-the-week-35.htm&#038;zItl=An Italian Meal For The Week">Email this</a></p>
Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta!
<A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/polentarecipes/a/aa030498_2.htm"><IMG SRC="http://z.about.com/d/italianfood/1/0/I/9/1/polentapaioloww.jpg" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=376 WIDTH=293 ALT="A Paiolo, with Polenta"></A><BR><BR> Yes, polenta is corn meal mush, and it was (and still is) a winter staple in Northern Italy. The standard recipe says to stir it slowly in a paiolo, or copper pot, as it thickens, and Italians who follow this course generally buy a motor-driven paiolo of the sort shown here, which I picked up on sale in a supermarket years ago. If you don't have a pot of this kind, however, all is not lost. <BR><BR> John, who lives outside Milano, adds his cornmeal to the water when it boils, seals the pot, and barely simmers it for 40 minutes, while Remo's grandmother taught him to make polenta in a slow cooker. In other words, you can stir, if you want, but you can also go about your business while the polenta cooks on its own.<BR><BR> Got polenta? Polenta is a foil, on a par with bread, and begs an accompaniment. If you're being quite simple, good olive oil, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a wedge of mild pecorino toscano is very good, but people usually want more, especially in the cooler winter months. Stew, for example: <UL> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefvealstews/r/blr1922.htm">Spicy Braised Beef With Polenta</A></B><BR>Though this packs a punch, the sauce and the polenta go together beautifully. Should you prefer it less hot, reduce the pepper content. </LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefvealstews/r/blr1851.htm">Lo Stufato Dell'Adriana</A></B><br />Simple home cooking, a pork and beef stew that simmers for hours, warming the house, and then the table.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefvealstews/r/blr1293.htm">Carne da Galera, or Jailhouse Meat</A></B><br />The name comes from the fact that the cuts involved are less noble, and tended to go bad quickly in the days before refrigeration. Hence this herb-laden pot-roasting method, which was able to cover any off smells the meat might have developed.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefvealstews/r/blr1765.htm">Pastissada di Manzo, Beef Pastissada</A></B><BR>Pastissada is an old Veronese stew that draws from Austro-Hungarian tradition (Verona was a part of the Empire for a long time) and brings goulash to mind. Most of the recipes I've seen call for horse meat, but this one is beef based.</LI> </UL> And what to serve with you polenta and stew? The combination begs a substantial red wine. An Amarone, for example, and <A HREF="http://italianwinereview.blogspot.com/2009/02/thoughts-about-2005-amarone.html">here you will find my notes for the 2005 vintage</A>, which is currently in stores. Curious about 2006? I went to the vintage presentation two weeks ago, and <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aperitifscoffee/tp/aa022510.htm">here is a selection of the 2006 wines</A> that impressed me the most. <p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/24/almost-wordless-wednesday-polenta.htm">Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 09:06:18.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/24/almost-wordless-wednesday-polenta.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/24/almost-wordless-wednesday-polenta.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/24/almost-wordless-wednesday-polenta.htm&#038;zItl=Almost Wordless Wednesday: Polenta!">Email this</a></p>
A Few Fish Recipes, Not Just For Lent
Lent's arrival does require a mental shift in gears, if one chooses to observe it: <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/beefbracioleetc/r/blr1570.htm">burgers</A> (what Italians call Svizzere), <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/chickencapon/r/blr0956.htm">chicken</A>, <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/meatsauces/r/blr0026.htm">tagliatelle alla bolognese</A>... They're all out. And that leaves us with... <br /><br /><strong>Fish!</strong><BR><BR> Wonderful, healthy, wholesome fish, which is also low in calories and will help those who are not observing Lent prepare for the Summer Swimsuit Season. Yes, there are reasons everyone should enjoy fish! This said, how about: <UL> <LI><b><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/od/freshfishrecipes/r/blr1949.htm">Pagello Al Sale Aromatico, Pandora Roasted in Aromatic Salt</a></b><br /> Salt roasting is a very simple technique. However, one can flavor the salt, which will then impart delightful flavor to the fish as well.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/baccalandstockfish/r/blr1326.htm">Potatoes and Baccal?t;/A></B><br />Baccal?salt cod, is one of the unsung heroes of the culinary world. Potatoes do an excellent job of supporting it in this recipe, which has a Sicilian feel to it.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/octopuscalamariseppie/r/blr0067.htm">Seppie in Inzimino</A></B><br />Cuttlefish with greens is a traditional Tuscan way of cooking cuttlefish of all sizes; you can also use octopus.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/freshfishthebasics/r/blr0850.htm">Pesce Lesso, Boiled Fish</A></B><br />Boiled fish is easy to do and can be tremendously satisfying. </LI> </UL><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/22/a-few-fish-recipes-not-just-for-lent.htm">A Few Fish Recipes, Not Just For Lent</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Monday, February 22nd, 2010 at 07:56:58.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/22/a-few-fish-recipes-not-just-for-lent.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/22/a-few-fish-recipes-not-just-for-lent.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/22/a-few-fish-recipes-not-just-for-lent.htm&#038;zItl=A Few Fish Recipes, Not Just For Lent">Email this</a></p>
Greetings from Montalcino!
Come February the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the organization that oversees the production of Brunello di Montalcino, one of Italy's most famed and sought after wines, organizes a presentation of the current vintages the producers are releasing: The <B>2005 Brunello di Montalcino</B>, the <B>2008 Rosso di Montalcino</B> -- Brunello's younger sibling, from a nicely balanced, graceful vintage, -- <B>Moscadello</B>, a sweet white wine made from the Moscato grape that was famed long before anyone in Montalcino took an interest in reds, and <B>Sant'Antimo</B>, a catch-all denomination that includes both red and white wines, some of which are quite good. <BR><BR> I won't be commenting on the tasting until next week, but in the meantime here's a menu one could build around the wines. <UL> <LI><B>With a White Sant'Antimo:</B><BR>Mixed cold cuts and cheeses, or perhaps <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0904.htm">pici all'aglione</A>, thick stranded extraordinarily garlicky pasta. <LI><B>With a Red Sant'Antimo, or a Rosso di Montalcino:</B><BR><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0655.htm">Pappardelle sul Cinghiale</A>, broad strips of pasta with a wild boar sauce (other furred game will be fine if need be). <LI><B>With a Brunello di Montalcino:</B><BR>The obvious answer is a <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0248.htm">roast</A>, but I might opt for a <i><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0224.htm">scottiglia</A>,</I> a rich stew made by the charcoal makers of the area from whatever animals they could catch. As side dishes, boiled white (cannellini) beans and <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0083.htm">spinach</A>. <LI><B>To finish up with the Moscadello,</B><BR>A simple <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/library/rec/blr0559.htm">Sienese Torta di Ricotta</A>.</LI></UL> Buon Appetito!<p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/18/greetings-from-montalcino.htm">Greetings from Montalcino!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Thursday, February 18th, 2010 at 01:54:06.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/18/greetings-from-montalcino.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/18/greetings-from-montalcino.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/18/greetings-from-montalcino.htm&#038;zItl=Greetings from Montalcino!">Email this</a></p>
Almost Wordless Wednesday: It's Ash Wednesday!
<IMG SRC="http://z.about.com/d/italianfood/1/0/H/9/1/triglieww.jpg" BORDER=0 HEIGHT=416 WIDTH=300 ALT="Reef Mullet"><br /><BR> And that means, for the Catholic among us, the beginning of Lent, when the Church asks people to forgo meat as part of the spiritual renewal leading up to Easter. Avoiding meat is actually not at all a bad idea even for non-Catholics, because it allows us to rid our bodies of all sorts of toxins, and also opens the way to all sorts of fish. For example, the reef mullet pictured here, which are delightfully flavorful. You might use them to make: <UL> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/freshfishrecipes/r/blr0797.htm">Triglie alla Livornese</A>:</B> With a zesty tomato sauce.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/freshfishrecipes/r/blr0824.htm">Triglie al Cartoccio</A>:</B> Wrapped up with other delights and baked.</LI> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/freshfishrecipes/r/blr0581.htm">Triglie con Uvette e Pinoli</A>:</B> With raisins and pine nuts, a classic Italian Jewish recipe.</LI> </UL> <B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/fishdishes/ig/La-Galleria-del-Pesce/">La Galleria Del Pesce, The Fish Gallery</A> &#124; <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/aboutingredients/ss/aa081106.htm">How To Select Fresh Fish</A><BR> <A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/holidaydishes/tp/aa010306.htm">More Lenten Recipes</A></B><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/17/almost-wordless-wednesday-its-ash-wednesday.htm">Almost Wordless Wednesday: It's Ash Wednesday!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 at 01:01:36.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/17/almost-wordless-wednesday-its-ash-wednesday.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/17/almost-wordless-wednesday-its-ash-wednesday.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/17/almost-wordless-wednesday-its-ash-wednesday.htm&#038;zItl=Almost Wordless Wednesday: It's Ash Wednesday!">Email this</a></p>
Cold Wet Weather is time for... Soups!
Little else can bring as much happiness or warmth as a steaming bowl of: <UL> <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/italiansoups/r/blr0164.htm">Acquacotta</A>:</B> This literally translates as cooked water, and is a hearty vegetable soup from southern Tuscany. <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/italiansoups/r/blr1611.htm">Supa de Polastrelo</A>:</B> Or Chicken Soup, and this rich version definitely deserves to be capitalized. Fine winter fare! <LI><B><A HREF="http://italianfood.about.com/od/legumesandpasta/r/blr0676.htm">Riso e Lenticchie</A>:</B> The combination of rice and lentils is one of my all time favorites, and there are many variations to it. This one is from Lazio. </UL><p style="background:#f5f3ef;border:1px solid #d5d0bf;clear:both;padding:.5em;"><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/14/cold-wet-weather-is-time-for-soups.htm">Cold Wet Weather is time for... Soups!</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/">About.com Italian Food</a> on Sunday, February 14th, 2010 at 06:54:50.</p><p><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/14/cold-wet-weather-is-time-for-soups.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&#038;zu=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/14/cold-wet-weather-is-time-for-soups.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://italianfood.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://italianfood.about.com/b/2010/02/14/cold-wet-weather-is-time-for-soups.htm&#038;zItl=Cold Wet Weather is time for... Soups!">Email this</a></p>