A Vegan Food Tour of Italy

AnItalianFoodAdventure

JasonWyrickwww.thevegantaste.com

IlovethesimplicityandexactitudeofrealItaliancuisine.Ofcourse,withsuchgreatsoilproducingevengreaterproduce,thefooddoesntneedtobecomplextobedelicious.Infact,overlycomplexrecipeswouldcoverupsomeofthenaturalbeautyofallthefabulousfruitsandveggies.ThatdoesntmeanthatItaliansarelazyabouttheirfood,though.InalltheplacesIvetraveled,Italiansarethemostdemandingdiners.HavingspentaboutamonthinItaly,Icansafelysaythatattitudehasrubbedoffonme.ImaymakefeweroverlycomplexdishesnowthanIdidacoupleyearsago,butmydemandforoutstandingfoodhasincreased.IfindmyselfunwillingtosettleforlessandIhopethatmaybeyoufindthesame,becausegoodfoodmatters,especiallywhenyourevegan!Foodissuchadominantpartofbeingvegan,weshouldenjoyitasmuchaspossible.Thiscollectionofrecipesismybestattemptatrecreatingthedisheswehadonourveganadventuresothatyoucanmakethemathome.ItsalsomesharingthefoodthatIhadwhenIwasexploringFlorenceandRome.AlthoughIgenerallyfindthefoodbetterinthesouth,thatshardlyaknockonthefoodinFlorenceandRome.Wherethesouthmightbe100%awesome,FlorenceandRomewerestill90%awesome.ThemarketsinFlorencewerefilledwithabountyoffreshlypickedfruit,succulentsundriedtomatoes,andmassivefreshporcinimushrooms.Manywerebiggerthanmyfist!Iwasthereforaboutaweekandvisitedthemarketeverydaytopickupmyfreshproduceandaloafofbread.Ialsoluckedoutbecausemysecondhotelroom(anapartment,really)hadanoliveoilvendornextdoorwitholiveoilandwineontap.Ofcourse,itshardnottomentionpizzaandcoffeewhenreminiscingaboutItaly.Iveincludedsomepizzarecipesinourcollection,butthekeytogettingagoodpizzaisreallythecrust.Itsthefoundationfortheentiredish.MyfavoriteisthethinNapolistylecrustwhichwehadwhenwemadepizzasinthevillaspizzaoven.Infact,thatoveninspiredmetobuildmyownonmypatioathome.IchoseaTuscanstyleofpizzaoven,whichhasahigherdome,becauseitallowsroomtodoroastsandtobakebreadoncetheintenseheatfrommakingpizzasdiesdownabit.TheNapolistyleofpizzaovenhasalowerdometoforceasmuchheatdownontothetopofthepizzaaspossible.Functionally,thereisnotmuchdifferencebetweenthetwo.AsfarasItalianespresso,Ithinkyoueitherloveitoryouhateit.Itsstrongandbitteranditsmoreaboutjoltingyourpalatethangettingatastyshotofcaffeine.Becauseitissointense,itiseasytopickoutalltheflavorsinthecoffeeandaninferiorbrewcandolittletomaskitsflavors.Thebestonesmanagetobebothbitterandalittlesmoothatthesametime,whichisadifficultdichotomytoachieve,butthereisacafnearthePantheoninRomethatmanagedtodojustthat.Thatlevelofcoffeerequiresafinetunedmachineandalotofexactingcarebythebarista.Thecoolthingis,itwasthesamepriceasanyothercupofespresso.Youjusthavetoknowwherethebaristogetit.Asidefromthefood,Italyisabeautifulcountryfullofhistoryandincredibleart.WhatIfoundamusingaboutmuchofthatbeauty,however,wasthatitcamefromItalianstryingtoprovethattheywerebetterthaneveryoneelse,includingotherItalians.FromVespanianuswipingoutNerospalaceandbuildingtheColiseumontopofit,totheeverlargertemplesintheForum,tothestreetsandshopsofPompei,totheMedicifamilyconstructingtheDuomotobethebiggestchurchinTuscanybyafewfeet,tocompetitionbetweenartistsandinventors,muchofwhatdroveItalianinnovationintheartsandsciencesforwardwasoneguywantingtoprovethathewasbetterthantheotherguy.Whateverthereason,itspurredonthecreationofsomeofthemostincredibleartandarchitectureIveseen.ThankstoeveryoneforsharingthisveganadventureinItalywithme.ItwastrulyamemorableweekandIhopethatthislittlebookofItaliantreatswillletyourelivesomeofthosememories.Untilnexttime.

1

VerdureVeggiesZucchiniGrigliateenAgridulcediArancia GrilledZucchiniinOrangeSweet&SourSauceIlovedtheslightcharonthezucchiniwithjustalightcoatingoffreshorangejuiceandbalsamicvinegar.Notonlywasitanice,lightside,buttheleftoversaucemadeagreatdippingsauceforgrilledbread.Youcanalsosavethesauceanduseitasasaladdressing.2

4zucchini,endsremovedandslicedinhalflengthwaysJuiceof1bloodorangecupofbalsamicvinegar2tablespoonsofoliveoilteaspoonofflakeyseasaltSlicedfreshbreadOliveoilPrepthezucchiniandlayitflatinadishthatcanholdthezucchiniandmarinade.Combinetheorangejuiceandbalsamicvinegar.Pourthisoverthezucchiniandletitsitforabout30minutes.Lightyourgrill.Tossthezucchiniinoliveoilandthensprinklesaltonthem.Grillthezucchinionbothsidesuntilitdevelopscharlinesandissoft,butnotmushy.Removethemfromthegrill.Tossthemintheleftovermarinadeandsetthemaside.Brushthebreadwitholiveoil.Grillthebreaduntillightlytoastedonbothsides,about15to30secondsoneachside.Dredgethebreadthroughanyoftheremainingmarinade.Servethebreadandzucchinitogether.*Imodifiedthisslightlyfromwhatwedidatthevillatoallowthezucchinitomarinateinthesauce.

3

VerdureGrigliateePiselliMarinati GrilledVegetablesandMarinatedPeasOutofallourdishesinPositano,thesimpleplatterofgrilledveggiesandmarinatedpeaswasmyfavorite.Itwaslight,flavorful,andperfectforahotsummerday.Ifyouwantsomethingalittleheartier,youcanpiletheseonaciabattarollanddresstheinsideoftherollwithalittleoliveoil,blackpepper,crushedredpepper,andsaltforaneasysandwich.2zucchini,sliceddiagonally1Italianeggplant(long,thin,darkeggplants;useaJapaneseoneifyoudonthaveit),sliceddiagonally12thinslicesofzucca(usethinslicedbutternutsquashsincezuccaishardtofindoutsideofItaly)1cupofpeas3partswhitewinevinegar1partoliveoilSalt2redbellpeppers3tablespoonsofmincedparsleyEachinseparatedishes,marinatethezucchini,eggplant,zucca(orbutternutsquash),andpeasin3partswhitewinevinegar,1partoliveoil,andapinchofsalt.Youwantjustenoughmarinadetocovertheveggies.Thezuccaneedstomarinate1hourwhilethezucchini,eggplant,andpeasonlyneedtomarinatefor30minutes.Savethemarinadeforuselaterasasaladdressing.Lightlygrillthezucchini,eggplant,andzuccauntiltheyjustdevelopgrilllines,markingthemonbothsides.Settheveggiesasidetocool.Roastthewholebellpeppersoveranopenflameuntiltheskinblackens.Placethebellpeppersinabowlandcoverthem,lettingthemsitfor20minutes.Removetheblackenedskinfromthebellpeppersandremovethestemsandseeds.Slicethebellpeppersintostrips.Platethepeasandgrilledveggiesandtopthemwithalightsprinkleofmincedparsley.FioridiZucchiniePeperoniTempuraTempuraZucchiniFlowersandItalianLongChilesIcantdecidewhichIlikebetter;thechilesorthezucchiniflowers,butwedontreallyhavetodecide,sowhynothaveboth?Thekeytothisrecipeismakingsurethetempuragetssubmergedandstaysintheoillongenoughtogetcrispy.Youshouldeatthesewithinafewminutesofthemcomingoutoftheoilorelsetheliquidfromtheveggieswillmakethemsoggy.ForanAsiantakeonthese,servethemwithasaucemadefromtwopartstamari,onepartricevinegar,andonepartagave.Abigpotofneutralflavoredoil(enoughtosubmergethreetofourbatteredingredientsatatime)4

2cupsofflour1teaspoonofsaltteaspoonoffinelygroundwhitepepperOptional:1teaspoonofbakingpowderifyouwantthebatterextrafluffy1bottleoflightbeer,likeaHefeweizenZucchiniflowersandItalianlongchilesLemonandsaltBringtheoilto375F.Combinetheflour,salt,pepper,andoptionalbakingsoda.Addthebeerandwhiskeverythinguntilitissmooth.Thebattershouldbeslightlythin.Dredgetheflowersandlongchilesinthebatter,onlyworkingonthreeorfouratatimeunlessyouhaveanextrabigpot.Submergethemintheoilandfrythemuntiltheyaregoldenbrown,about5to7minutes.Removethemfromtheoilandsetthemonapapertoweltodrain.Repeatuntilyouareoutofbatteroringredientsandmunchonthemwhileyoumakemore!Whenyouservethem,squeezealittlelemononthemandlightlysprinklethemwithsalt.

5

PatateeFunghiPotatoesandMushroomsThisrecipewasbornoutofwantingtofinishoffthosedeliciouscuredoystermushroomsthatwereinthepantryatthevilla.Plus,Iwasreallycravingpotatoes.Ifyouwanttoturnthisintoamaindish,addacupofcookedredbeanstothedishrightattheend.Ifyoudonthavethecuredmushrooms,youcansubstitutefreshoystermushroomsforthem,andifyouwanttomakesomecuredmushrooms,takeabout4cupsofoystermushrooms,heavilysaltthem,rinsethemoffafteraday,patthemdry,andpacktheminoil.4largeYukonGoldpotatoes,choppedintobitesizepiecesSaltedwater3tablespoonsofoliveoilPinchofsalt6clovesofgarlic,minced2cupsofchoppedcuredmushrooms Substitution:2cupsofchoppedoystermushrooms1tablespoonofcrushedhotchilesinoilorcrushedredchileflakestotasteBoilthepotatoesinsaltedwateruntiltheyarebarelyaldente,about6to8minutes.Drainthemandsetthemaside.Bringtheoiltojustabovemediumheat.Addthepotatoesandsaltandsautethepotatoesuntiltheyarelightlybrowned.Addthegarlicandmushroomsandsautethisfor3to4minutes.Removethepanfromtheheatandimmediatelystirinthecrushedchilesinoilorchileflakesandserve.

6

PiselliDulcienSalsadiPomodoroSnapPeasinTomatoSauceThishasnowbecomemyfavoritetomatosauce.Itssweetandcreamyandfullofgoodgarlickyflavor.IvebeenusingitformypastasandsoupssinceIgothome.Becauseitissorich,itworksbetterifitcoatsthemaindishingredientsinsteadofcompletelyinundatingtheminthesauce.Also,ifyoureallylikethissauce,youcanmakeahugebatchofit,jarit,andstoreitinyourrefrigeratorforuptoamonth.*Icutastepoutofthisrecipesinceweendeduppureeingthetomatoes.10clovesofgarlic,minced1tablespoonofoliveoil3cupsofSiciliantomatoesorsweetcherrytomatoes1/3cupofoliveoilteaspoonofsalt4cupsofsugarsnappeas,endsremovedandcutintobitesizepiecesOveramediumheat,sautethegarlicin1tablespoonofoliveoiluntilyoucansmellthegarlicwaftingfromthepan,about2to3minutes.Addthetomatoesandcookthemuntiltheyaresoft.Ifyoucoverthepan,thiswillspeedtheprocessupgreatly.Oncetheyaresoft,transferalltheingredientsfromthepantoablender.Addtheremainingoliveoilandsaltandpureethis.Transferthetomatosaucebacktothepanandbringittoasimmerovermediumheat.Addthesnappeas.Simmerthesnappeasforabout7to8minutes,butnomore.Theyshouldbealdente.CiambottadelCilentoStewedVegetablesCiambottacanbefoundacrossItaly,especiallythesouth,butthebestversionisfromCilentoPark,wherewestayedformostoftheweek,andthatsthisversion.Togetthebesttextureandflavorwiththisrecipe,itshouldbedoneinstages.However,ifyouwanttocutdownquiteabitonthefussinessoftherecipe,youcancheatonitandstillcomeupwithanincredibledish.1largeeggplant,cubedSalt3redpotatoes,cubedSaltedwaterforboiling8Italianlongchiles,stemsremovedandchoppedintobitesizepieces1tablespoonofoliveoilPinchofsalt7

cupofoliveoil6clovesofgarlic,minced1cupofsweetSiciliantomatoes(usecherrytomatoesifyoudonthavetheSiciliansavailable)teaspoonofsaltcupofthinlyslicedpackedfreshbasilTosstheeggplantinaliberalamountofsaltandsetitasideforabout2hours.Onceithasset,transfertheeggplanttoacolanderandquicklyrinseawaythesalt.Setitaside.Boilthecubedpotatoesinsaltedwateruntiltheyarebarelyaldente.Drainthemandsetthemaside.Inacoveredpanovermediumlowheat,cookthechilesin1tablespoonofoliveoilandapinchofsaltuntiltheyaresoft.Removethemfromthepanandsetthemaside.Bringtheheattomediumandaddcupofoliveoil.Addthepotatoesandcookthemuntiltheyarebarelybrowned,thenremovethemfromthepan.Addtheeggplantandcooktheeggplantuntilitiscompletelysoft,about6to7minutes,thenremoveitfromthepan.Addthegarlicandcookthegarlicforabout2minutes.Addthetomatoesandteaspoonofsaltandcooktheseuntilthetomatoesarecompletelysoft,about6to7minutes.Addthepotatoes,eggplant,andchilesbacktothepanandstireverythingtogether.Addthebasilandcookthisfor5moreminutes.Allowittocooluntilitisjustwarmandserve,addingextraoliveoilifyouwantaricherciambotta.MakeItSimple:Saltandrinsetheeggplantandboilthepotatoesjustlikeyouwouldinthestandardrecipe.Onceyouaredonewiththat,addalltheingredientstoabakingdishandcoverthedishwithfoil.Baketheciambottaat375Ffor30minutes.Allowittocooluntilitisjustwarmandserve.BietolaeZucchinienSalsadiCannelliniGreensandZucchiniinWhiteBeanSauceThesauceisbasedonawhitebeanpizzasaucefoundinTuscany,butIfigureditwouldgojustaswellwithsautedzucchiniandstewedgreens.Makesuretocookthezucchiniandgreensseparatesothetexturecomesoutrightandifyouforgothewaterintherecipe,youcanusethesauceasadeliciouswhitebeandiptobeservedwithcrostiniorfreshveggies.TheSauce

8clovesofgarlic,minced2tablespoonsofoliveoil2cupsofcooked,rinsedcannellinibeansJuiceof1lemonteaspoonofsaltcupofoliveoilcupofwater

TheZucchini4zucchini,choppedintobitesizepieces1tablespoonofoliveoil

8

teaspoonofsaltTheGreens

2largebunchesofchardorwhatevergreensyouhavearound,slicedintothickribbons1tablespoonofoliveoilteaspoonofsalt

Sautethegarlicovermediumheatin2tablespoonsofoliveoilfor3minutes.Pureethegarlicandoilfromthepanwiththebeans,lemonjuice,salt,oliveoil,andwater.Setthesauceaside.Inalargesautepanovermediumheat,sautethezucchiniintheoilwiththesaltuntilthezucchiniislightlybrowned,about7to10minutes.Removethisfromthepanandsetitaside.Inthesamepan,addthegreens,oliveoil,andsaltandstir.Coverthepanandcookthegreensoveramediumheatuntilthegreensarecompletelysoft,stirringthemeverycoupleofminutes.Oncethegreensaresoft,addthezucchiniandbeansauce,stir,andletitsimmerforabout4to5minutes,thenserve.

9

InsalateSaladsPanzanelladelCampaniaCampaniastyleBreadandTomatoSaladThisisasimilarrecipetothebreadandtomatoesinoliveoilthatwehadonourfirstrestaurantexcursioninCilento.Icouldnotstopeatingthisstuff,eventhoughIknewtherewereplentyofotherdishesontheirway.Ifyouwanttoaddsomepoptoit,addabout3to4tablespoonsofbalsamicvinegar.4cupsofcubed,verydrybreadcupofwatercupofoliveoilteaspoonofsaltteaspoonofdriedoregano1cupofhalvedcherrytomatoesTossthebreakchunksinaboutcupofwaterandletthemsitfor5minutes.Tossthelightlysoakedbreadwiththeremainderoftheingredientsandletthissit5moreminutes.

10

ZuppeSoupsZuppadiCavolfioriallaGrigliaGrilledCauliflowerSoupIdeally,thissoupshouldbesmoothandcreamytogiveitasoulsatisfyingtexture.Youcaneasilymakethisonthegrillorintheoven.Thegrillwillgiveitaprimal,charredflavorandtheovenwillgiveitasweeter,caramelizedflavor.Thissoupreallydoesbestwithahighspeedblendersothatitcomesoutassmoothaspossible.*Iaddedbreadtothisrecipetomakethesoupsmoothandviscous.YouwillneedapowerfulblenderlikeaVitamixtogettheoptimaltextureforthissoup.1largeheadofcauliflower,splitintolargefloretsOliveoil4cebollitas(largewhiteonionswiththegreenpartstillattached)or2smallwhiteonions8clovesofgarlic,minced2tablespoonsofoliveoil2cupsofcooked,rinsedcannellinibeansteaspoonofsalt2cupsofwatercupofoliveoil1teaspoonofblackpepperteaspoonofsalt2teaspoonsofmincedfreshrosemary4slicesoftoastedsourdoughbreadLightyourgrill.Tossthecauliflowerintheoil.Grillthecaulifloweruntilitiscompletelysoftandslightlycharred.Grillthewholeonionsuntiltheoutsideofthebulbisblack.Removetheblackenedpartofthebulbandsetthecauliflowerandonionsaside.Overamediumheat,sautethemincedgarlic2tablespoonsofoliveoilfor3minutes.Usingaslottedspoon,removethegarlicandleavetheoilinthepan.Turntheheattomediumhigh.Addthebeansandteaspoonofsalt.Letthebeanssit,onlystirringthemeveryminuteorso,untiltheyarebrowned.Thiswilltake8to10minutes.Setthemaside.Pureethecauliflower,onions,garlic,water,cupofoliveoil,blackpepper,andsalt.Transferthistoapotandbringittoasimmeroveramediumheat.Addtherosemaryandbreadandsimmerthisuntilthebreadissoft.Pureethisonemoretime.Returnthesouptothepot,addthebeans,simmerforabout5moreminutes,andserve.11

ZuppadiFagioliBorlottiePorciniBorlottiBeanandPorciniSoupImadethisthefirstdayIwasinFlorence.ThatsbecausethefirstthingIdidonceIgottherewasheaddowntothemarkettoseewhatIcouldfind.Veganheavenisagooddescription.Thereweresomanystallsloadedwithfreshveggiesandfruitsandboxesonendoffreshporcini.Igottwohugebagsoffreshporciniandatruffleforjust20euro.Ialsogotsomezucchiniandborlottibeansatthemarket,soIfiguredIwouldjustcookeverythingupandseehowitturnedout.Illjustsay,itturnedoutverywell.cupofdriedborlottibeans(useredbeansifyoucantgetthese),soakedforatleast6hours1onion,chopped6clovesofgarlic,minced1largeredbellpepper,chopped1teaspoonofmincedfreshsageteaspoonofgroundblackpepperteaspoonofcrushedredchileflakes4cupsofwater2smallzucchini,chopped1Yukongoldpotato,diced1largefreshporcini,choppedorcupofdriedporciniteaspoonofsaltcupofoliveoilOncetheborlottibeanshavesoaked,drainthem,thentransferthemtothesouppot.Simmerthebeans,onion,garlic,bellpepper,sage,blackpepper,andchileflakesinthewaterforabout1hour.Replenishthewaterifitcooksdownbelowthelevelofthebeans.Youshouldaddenoughwatersothatyouendupwithabout1cupsofliquidleftinthepot.Addthezucchini,potato,porcini,andsalt.Simmerthisforabout8minutes,untilthepotatoisjusttender.Removethesoupfromtheheat,stirtheoliveoilintoit,andserve.

12

PastaWorkingwithPastaIfyoucanusefreshpasta,youshould,butevenItaliansrelyondriedpastawhentheydontwanttogothroughtheeffortofmakingitfresh.Thekeytoknowingwhenthepastaisdoneiswhenitfloatstothetop.Whenthathappens,takeapieceofpastafromthepotandtryit.Itshouldbechewy,butnottough.Assoonasthepastahasthataldentetexture,drainit,butdonotrinseit.Thestarchontheoutsideofthepastamakessaucescreamyandhelpsthembindtothepasta.

13

GnocchienSalsadiPeperonieMandorleGnocchiinChileAlmondSauceTheSauce

8to10Italianlongchiles2tablespoonsofoliveoilteaspoonofsalt8clovesofgarlic,mincedcupofalmondsJuiceofofabloodorangeWaterasneeded

TheGnocchi 2largerussetpotatoes(about2pounds) 1cupofallpurposeflour teaspoonofsalt WaterOveramediumlowheat,cookthewholechilesintheoliveoilandsaltinacoveredpanuntiltheyarecompletelysoft,about12to15minutes.Flipthechilesabout2/3ofthewaythroughthecookingprocess.Removethemfromthepanandtransferthemtoablender.Turntheheattomediumandaddthegarlictothesamepan.Sautethisfor3minutes.Transferthegarlictotheblender.Addthealmondsandbloodorangejuice.Pureethis,addingwaterasneededtoachieveasmoothconsistency.Setthesauceaside.Boilthepotatoesuntiltheyareforktender.Removethemfromthewaterandpeelthem.Thehottertheyarethebetterthegnocchiwillturnout,sotrytoworkwiththemearlyonifyourfingerscanhandletheheat.Mashthepotatoesandfluffthemwithafork.Addtheflour,gentlyincorporatingitintothemashedpotatoes.Ifyouneedtoaddmoreflour,addit2tablespoonsatatime.Thedoughshouldnotsticktoyourfingersandshouldfeelbillowy.Lightlyflouraworkingsurface.Takeachunkofdoughandrollitbetweenyourpalmsintoacigarshape.Cutthecigarshapeddoughintowidepieces.Repeatthisuntilyouhaveusedallthedough.Bringalargepotofwatertoaboil.Addthegnocchiinbatches(youwillprobablyneedtodo4batches).Assoonasthegnocchifloats,useaslottedspoonoraspidertoremoveitfromthewaterandimmediatelytransferittoalargepan.Repeatthisuntilallthegnocchiarecooked.Donotrinsethegnocchi.Addthesaucetothepanandturntheheattomedium.Oncethesauceissimmering,simmerthegnocchiandsauceforabout3to4minutes,thenserve.

14

OrecchietteeZucchinienSalsadiPomodoroPastaandZucchiniinTomatoSauceOrecchietteisasmallearshapedpasta(hencethename)andtheshapemakesitperfectforsaucestoclingtoit.ThisversionisahybridoftheonewehadattheCilentorestaurantandonethatImadewhileIwasinRome.Thesauceisverysimilartotheoneusedforthesnappeasintomatosauce,butitsnotpureedtogiveitsometexture.TheVeggies

2zucchini,diced2tablespoonofoliveoilPinchofsalt1smallbunchofspinach,chopped

TheSauce6clovesofgarlic,minced3tablespoonsofoliveoil3cupsofsweetcherrytomatoesteaspoonofsalt

ThePastapoundoforecchiettepastaSaltedwater

Sautethezucchiniintheoliveoilandsaltuntilitisaldente.Addthespinachandcookituntilitiscompletelysoft.Removethecontentsfromthepanandsetthemaside.Inthesamepan,sautethemincedgarlicintheoliveoilovermediumheatforabout3minutes.Addthetomatoesandsaltandcontinuecookingthisuntilthetomatoesarecompletelysoft.Lightlymashthemtogetthemtojuice.Turntheheattolow.Cookthepastauntilitfloats.Drainthepastaandimmediatelyaddittothepanwiththesauce.Tossthepastainthesauce,thenaddthezucchiniandspinach.Tossonemoretimeandserve.

15

CavatellienAglioeOlioCavatelliPastaGarlicandOliveOilCavatelliwasoneofthelongerpastaswehad,bothatthebeachandatthatcountryrestaurantinCilento.Itscurledalongthelengthofthepasta,almostrolledclosed,butnotquitethere.Makingitfreshrequiresaspecialwirealongwhichthepastaisrolled,sounlessyouhaveonethose,justusethedriedversion.Youcan,ofcourse,usethiswithothertypesofpastaorevenwiththehomemadegnocchifromthegnocchirecipe.4clovesofgarlic,minced3tablespoonsofoliveoilpoundofcavatelliSaltedwaterPinchofsalt1teaspoonofmincedfreshoreganoOption:2tablespoonsofcapersOveramediumheat,sautethegarlicintheoilforabout2minutes,thenremovethepanfromtheheat.Boilthepastainsaltedwateruntilthepastafloats(indicatingthatitisdone).Drainthepastaandimmediatelytossitwiththeoliveoil,garlic,salt,oregano,andoptionalcapers.

16

PizzaNapoliPizzaCrustThisistheclassicthinpizzacrustfromNapoliandithappenstobemyfavorite.Typically,itsagedabouthalfaday,butIlikeabitofasournotetomine,soIagemineintherefrigeratorfortwotothreewhenIcan.Thekeytogettingthepizzarightistocrankyourovenupashighasitwillgoandtouseapizzastonetomimicthefirebrickfloorofapizzaoven.Thiswillmaketwolargepizzacrusts.2cupsofType00flourcup+1tablespoonofwarmwater1tablespoonofoliveoil1teaspoonsugar1teaspoonsaltteaspoonyeastCornmealormoreflourforthepizzapeelAddtheflourtoamixingbowl.Inaseparatebowl,combinethewater,oliveoil,sugar,salt,andyeast.Pourthisintothebowlwiththeflourandmixuntilitisevenlycombined.Kneadthedoughforabout6minutes,untilitisnolongersticky.Transferthistoabowl,coverthebowl,andletthedoughriseforanhour.Afterthistime,punchdownthedough,kneaditacoupletimes,andcoveritagain.Letitrestforatleast2hours.Youcanletitsitoutforuptoadayoutsideoftherefrigeratorandafterthat,itshouldberefrigerated.Thelongeryouletitsit,themorelikesourdoughitwilltaste.Bringyouroventothehighesttemperaturepossibleandstartwithyourpizzastoneintheoven.Lightlyflouraworkingsurface.Dividethedoughintotwoballs.Donotrollthedoughoutuntilyouarereadytoputapizzaintheoven.Thatmeansifyouareonlydoingoneatatime,dontrolloutthesecondcrustuntilthefirstpizzaisentirelydone.Rollthecrustoutuntilitisonlyabout1/8thick.Sprinklecornmealorflourontoapizzapeel.Thishelpsthepizzaslideoffintotheoven.Nowlaytherolledoutcrustontothepeel.Nowtopthepizza.Thisismucheasierthantoppingthepizzaandthentryingtotransferittothepeel.Slideitintotheovenandbakeitforabout5to6minutes.Youllseetheedgespuffandturnamediumbrowncolor.Thatindicateswhenthepizzaisdone.

one ofmyfavoritepizzaflours forthincrustpizzas

17

PizzaMargheritaPizzawithTomatoSauce,Basil,andVeganMozzarellaThekeytoagoodmargheritaisusingoutstandingingredientsbecausethereareveryfewoftheminthepizza.Itsreallyonlyfourcomponents.Thecrust,thesauce,thecheese,andthebasil.TheSauce

2cupsofSanMarzanotomatoes,eithercannedorfreshthathavebeencookeddown4clovesofgarlic,mincedteaspoonofsaltteaspoonofdriedoregano1tablespoonofoliveoil

TheCrust2Napolipizzacrusts

TheToppings5or6largebasilleaves,slicedintoribbons8slicesofveganmozzarella(IuseTeesebecauseitisclosesttomozzarelladibuffalo)

Combinealltheingredientsforthesauceandsimmerthemoveramediumheatforabout8minutes.Placeyourcrustonthepizzapeelandspreadthesaucearoundit(remember,youhavetwocrusts),leavinga1spaceontheedgeofthecrust.Sprinklethebasilontop,thenplacetheslicesofcheeseonthepizzaemanatingfromthecenterinfourdirections(4slicesperpizza).Cookthepizzaaccordingtotheinstructionsabove.18

PizzawithSaltedCaramelApplesThisisavariationonaRoman(asinRomanEmpire)flatbreadtoppedwithfigsandhoney,butsincewedidnthavefigs,Ithoughtappleswouldmakeafinesubstitute.Dontcuttheapplesuntilyourcaramelsauceisdone.Thatway,theappleswontturnbrown.Likeourotherpizzas,thisonemakestwo.cupofturbinadosugar1/3cupofwaterJuiceofofalemonteaspoonofsalt1largecrispapple,coredandcutinto16wedges2NapolipizzacrustsCombinethesugar,water,lemonjuice,andsalt.Simmerthisoveramediumlowheatuntilthesauceturnsintoasemiviscoussyrup.Removeitfromtheheat.Slicetheapple.Returnthesyruptotheheattowarmitbackupandaddtheapples.Lightlysimmerthisforabout3minutes,thenimmediatelytopyourpizzacrustsandcookthepizzas.SfinciunewithGreensandTomatoesSfinciuneisaverythickcrustpizzapopularinSicilyandwhatwehadforlunchnearthemonasteryofPadula.Youcanputjustaboutanythingontopofit,butmyfavoritecombosaresweettomatoesandgarlickygreensorsweettomatoesandlongchiles.Oneofthegreatthingsaboutthisparticularstyleofpizzaisthatitwilllastintherefrigeratorforseveraldaysifyoukeepthepizzaproperlysealedsothecrustdoesntdryout.Thatway,youcanmakeabigbatchofitandthenreheatitasyouwant.TheCrust

3cupsofallpurposeorwholewheatpastryflourtsp.ofsalt1tsp.ofsugar2tsp.ofyeast1cup+3tbsp.ofwater3tbsp.ofoliveoil

TheTopping

2largebunchesofleafygreens,likechard,slicedthin6clovesofgarlic,minced3tablespoonsofoliveoilteaspoonofsalt12smallsweettomatoes,cutinhalf

Combinetheflour,salt,sugar,andyeasttogether.Addthewaterandoilandcombinethoroughly.Kneadthedoughuntilitnolongerstickstoyourhands.Lightlyoilit,placeitinabowl,andcoverit.Allowthedoughtorisefor1hours.Punchitdownandallowittorise30moreminutes.Whileitisrising,makethetoppings.Overmediumheat,cookthegreensandgarlicintheoilandsaltuntilthegreensarecompletelysoft.Thiswilltakeabout15minutesifyouareusingsomethingthicklikechard,but

19

onlyafewminutesifyouareusingsomethinglikespinach.Setthisaside.Cutthetomatoesinhalfandsetthoseaside,too.Lightlyoilarectangularbakingdish,about12x8.Spreadthedoughintothedish.Bakethepizzaat400Ffor20minutes.Pullthepizzaoutoftheovenandspreadthetoppingsalloverthetop.Returnthepizzatotheovenandbakefor15moreminutes.

20

DulceSweetStuffGranitaFreshFruitSlushyIhadtheseeverydayIcouldwhenIwasinFlorence.Itsbasicallyaslushy,butideally,onethatismadewithfreshfruit.Manyofthegranitasellersinthetouristyareashavestartedusingprocessedsyrups,buttherealdealisfruit,ice,andsugar.cupoffreshberriesorcubedfreshfruit2tablespoonsofsimplesyruporagave(simplesyrupistraditional)8to10icecubesAddalltheingredientstoablenderandblenduntilmostlysmooth.Serveimmediately.GelatodiCioccolatoeNocciolaChocolateHazelnutGelatoThisisoneofthemanyvariationsofchocolategelatothatIfound.Iabsolutelylovethecombinationofhazelnutsanddarkchocolate.ItsbasedonaSicilianstyleofgelatothatusescornstarchasthethickenerfortheicecreaminsteadofeggs.Notonlyisitvegan,butusingcornstarchinsteadofeggsallowsthechocolateflavortoshinethroughevenstronger.Yum!cuphazelnuts,soakedforatleast6hours2cupsofalmondmilkcupofsugar1/8teaspoonofsalt6ouncesofdarkchocolate2tablespoonsofcornstarchcombinedwith2tablespoonsofalmondmilkDrainthehazelnutsandpureethemwith1cupofthealmondmilk.Oncethemixissmooth,addthesecondcupofalmondmilk,sugar,andsaltandblendthemixuntilsmooth.Meltthedarkchocolateoveradoubleboiler,stirringitslowlywhileitmelts.Whilethechocolateismelting,warmthealmondmilkhazelnutmixinasmallpotovermediumheatuntilitissteaming,butnotboiling.Addthecornstarchsolutionandquicklywhiskthis.Keepitsteamingforabout2to3minutes,thenstirinthedarkchocolate.Eitherchurnthisinanicecreammachineorplaceitinabucketandthentransferittoyourfreezer.Ifyoudothebucketandfreezermethod,stirthegelatowithaforkevery45minutestokeeplargeicecrystalsfromforming.Oneofthebigdifferencesbetweengelatoandicecreamisthatgelatoissofterbecauseitisheldatahighertemperaturethanicecream.Dontletyourgelatofreezecompletelybeforeserving,butifyouhavetofreeze21

it,letitthawforabout10minutesoutsidetherefrigerator,thenstireverythingtogethertogetthatextracreamygelatotexture.

Ciao!

22

IntroVerdure - veggiesZucchini Grigliate en Agriducle di AranciaVerdure Grigliate e Piselli MarinatiFiori di Zucchini e Peperoni TempuraPatate e FunghiPiselli Dulci en Salsa di PomodoroCiambotta del CilentoBietola e Zucchini en Salsa di Cannellini

Insalate - saladPanzanella del Campania

Zuppe - soups Zuppa di Cavolfiori alla GrigliaZuppa di Fagioli Borlotti e Porcini

PastaWorking with PastaGnocchi en Salsa di Peperoni e MandorleOrecchiette e Zucchini en Salsa di PomodoroCavatelli en Aglio e Olio

PizzaNapoli Pizza CrustPizza MargheritaPizza with Salted Caramel ApplesSfinciune with Greens and Tomatoes

Dulce - sweetsGranitaGelato di Cioccolato e Nocchiola