I have been to Italy twelve times. My husband has relatives there and I have eaten countless meals in their homes. An Italian meal usually ends with a green salad. What amazed me the first time was the simplicity of how the Italians dress their salad. The cook brings a big bowl of freshly washed and torn greens to the table along with extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar. She proceeds to pour quite a bit of oil all over the greens, and then sprinkles them with a very generous portion of salt. She then looks up from her work to her guest and says in a questioning cadence: “un po’ di aceto?” She is asking her guest if she should add a little bit of vinegar.
The first time I was asked that question I sat in silence. I had no idea how I was supposed to respond. After all, she was dressing the salad for the entire table and if I said yes to vinegar everyone else had to eat my choice. I opted for no vinegar, and have subsequently been invited back many times.
To Italians eating is an art form, a science, a pleasure, and a non-stop topic of conversation. They believe in simplicity, real flavor and easy preparation. The best foods are fresh, cooked quickly, and dressed lightly. They want to taste the nuances of the greens in their salad, which is why only oil and salt are added.
Let’s Cook Tonight® teaches a common sense approach to cooking and eating for maximum health, flavor and enjoyment. It makes sense to enjoy the real flavor of food and not mask or disguise it with something heavy on top. Reach for the only Italian dressing Italians use and use bottled salad dressings occasionally.
Are you surprised that Italians do not use bottled dressing?
Cooking is easier than you think and you are worth the time and effort it takes.
Simple cooking idea: Use a fork to break ground meat up into small pieces. A wooden spoon does not do it effectively.
Copyright ©2009 by Gigi Centaro. All Rights Reserved.
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