Читать книгу Italian Recipes For Dummies - Amy Riolo - Страница 54

Winter cooking in Italy is all about warmth, comfort, and reliving the kitchen memories we grew up with. Slowly pouring hot broth into risotto, kneading dough for pasta, and shaping breads into edible masterpieces before baking are nostalgic recollections that cold weather gives us the permission and inspiration to indulge in. During the winter months, Italians eat more nutrient-dense foods and spend more time cooking them.

TABLE 4-3: Fall Meal Menu

Course	Recipe	Location
Antipasto	Antipasti misti (salumi e formaggi)/Antipasto Platter	Chapter 6
Primo	Crema di castagna/Cream of Chestnut Soup	Chapter 10
Secondo	Scallopine di tacchino/Turkey Cutlets	Chapter 12
Contorno	Patate arrostite/Roasted Potatoes	Chapter 14
Insalata	Insalata mista/Mixed Green Salad	Chapter 15
Frutta	Vassoio di formaggi/Cheese Platter	Chapter 17
Caffé	Caffé/Classic Espresso	Chapter 16

It’s important to remember that in ancient times, winter recipes were prepared over open hearths, which helped to heat not only the food, but also families. Large, brick ovens and fireplaces helped keep our kitchen and home warm all winter long when I was young. Nowadays, obviously, modern homes have centralized heating, but there’s still something undeniably cozy about indulging in the warmth of fire and slowly-simmering recipes on the stove and in the oven.

Table 4-4 outlines a typical (non-holiday or Sunday) winter 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 4-4: Winter Meal Menu

Course	Recipe	Location
Antipasto	Crostini con purea di cannellini/Crostini with Cannellini Bean Purée	Chapter 6
Primo	Risotto allo zafferano/Risotto Milanese	Chapter 10
Secondo	Pollo in umido/Chicken, Tomato, and Pepper Stew	Chapter 12
Contorno	Finocchio in padella con scalogni e castagne/Pan-fried Fennel, Shallots, and Chestnuts	Chapter 14
Insalata	Insalata Siciliana con le patate/Sicilian Salad with Potatoes	Chapter 15
Frutta	Macedonia di frutta con noci/Fruit Salad with Walnuts	Chapter 17
Caffé	Caffé/Classic Espresso	Chapter 16