A bit of Italy

As you probably know, pasta is one of the most important meal in Italian cooking, so I couldn’t post a typical menu without it!


Spaghetti Alla Carbonara


Ingredients
1 pound of spaghetti
3 tablespoons of olive oil
3 eggs beaten
1/2 cup Pecorino Romano cheese
1/2 pound pancetta or bacon
Salt to taste


Preparation
In a large skillet cook pancetta or bacon (previously cut in small pieces) in oil until it becomes crisp. Bring 4-5 quarts of water to boil in a large pot and add a pinch of salt to it. In a bowl beat the eggs for 5 minutes, making sure the mixture is frothy enough . Cook spaghetti in the water (follow the directions on the box: spaghetti has to be “al dente”!). When the pasta is done drain it. Add it to the egg mixture, then add pancetta and Pecorino Romano. Toss the ingredients to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed.

That’s the real Roman recipe. It’s a very simple meal and easy to cook, but I can ensure you it’s simply marvellous!




Now, I’ m not too much into meat so the next one is a recipe which involves only vegetables.


Verdure gratinate

Ingredients
2 eggplants
2 yellow peppers
2 zucchini
A bowl of breadcrumbs
Herbs and garlic powder to taste

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Take all the vegetables and cut them in thin slices, then lay them in a baking pan previously oiled (again,use olive oil). Add herbs and garlic to the breadcrumbs, then put the mixture on every slice carefully. Add a trickle of oil on them, then bake the vegetables for 20- 30 minutes.




And finally, I suggest a very good recipe from Naples: “Struffoli”. This is a dessert we cook especially during the period of “Carnevale” (something like an Italian Halloween), and I love it!

Ingredients
2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla or anise
1 cup honey
1 tablespoon sugar

Preparation
Make a well of flour and salt, then add the eggs one at a time. While mixing add vanilla, making a soft dough.Let it cool for 20 minutes. Knead and divide dough in halves, then cut them into strips. Roll each strip into round roll and cut them into small pieces. Fry them in deep oil till they’re lightly browned. Meanwhile cook honey and sugar in a pot for 5- 10 minutes. Drain your struffoli and coat it with honey mixture. Place it on plate, sprinkle with jimmies and let it chill.




Et voilà! These are three of my favourite recipes. Hope you’ll love them like I do.
BUON APPETITO!