Cucina Povere or Frugal Coooking with style

A little of this ,a little of that..all thsi talk about beign frugal and eating on a budget.. I've been doing that for years but we donlt really call it eating on a budget..it is dishes form 'cucina povere'. The authentic Italian dishes from the peasant kitchens of Italy long ago. Now dishes taht are eaten in some of the finest resturants in the world. Not because their ingredients are so expensive but becasue they are a rarity in today's fast food world-dishes that use only real ingredients and are cooked from scratch..so it is Slow Food.
My dish today.. well when I stopped at the market today to fill up my water containers I couldn't help but notice the produce that had been marked down. Nothing wrong with it, but you have to use these veggies today, not tomorrow. Quick thinking and since I love a great vegetable stew and could make it at a bargain..I grabbed the zucchini, eggplant, an onion, some carrots, some fresh tomatoes..I already have the garlic and olive oil at home. For about $5 I will have vegetable stew for a few days that I can have with brown rice or pasta. Healthy and fresh...
Not only inexpensive but healthy and fresh and great for you too. Oh and donlt forget soem freshly grated parmigiana-reggiano..I'm kind of cheating I still have a large chunk I took home from Italy..1/2 the cost there.. but no need to buy a large quantity buy a small chunk and use it sparingly.. the extra taste is well worth it..

Mangia Bene, Vivi Bene
Maria
*May 2nd- Book signing and wine sampling with Terra Nova wine at the Grand opening of Raya Coiffeur in Haverford, Pa. will include a fashion show by Sonia Rykiel. 8-12 pm

*May 6th- Join me at Country Creek winery in Telford,Pa for a wine smapler dinner. I will be preparing a 4 course authentic Italian dinner and pairing it with wines of COuntry Creek. 4 course sampler dinner, 4 wine samples, cooking demo, recipes incldued, per person $39.95. reservatioins required call 215-723-6516

Join me in Italy for The Basic Art of Italian Cooking School.

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Cold pasta to lift your spirits....

(Sorry I have not been writing as frequently as usual, I am here at my office in Italy now till mid September). Hope this little splash of words helps yourday as it did mine yesterday...
Anytime I need something to lift my spirits a wonderful dish of pasta is a great start. And todays' meal was no exception. Of course I had to rush home so that I would have enough time to make the pasta dish I was dreaming of; A cold pasta salad with fresh mozzarella, small 'pachino'tomatoes, fresh basil and some extra virgin olive oil..
I say 'rush home' because I had a lot of work to finish up and had to quickly stop to pick up fresh mozzarella before stores close at 1:30. ( I am writing from my office in Italy). But I made it a few minutes before 1:30. As typical Italian approach to life- no one was rushing or running-even though it was 3 minutes till closing and people were still entering the store -albeit in a relaxed pace.

We were getting really hungry it was now 2 PM by the time I got home.
Water in the pot..
Pinch of salt in the water...
Place gas on...
Cut small tomatoes in half
Chop fresh basil
Cut fresh mozzarella into small chunks

Now place fresh tomatoes. fresh basil, fresh mozzarella in bowl. Place penne pasa in boiling water and cook for 9 minutes. Drain. Place in bowl with fresh tomatoes, drizzle with jsut about 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and toss gently to coat and mix all ingredients..

Oops, don't forget the freshly grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese on top. Grate on top of each individual serving...
Ahh.. perfect pasta to lift anyone's spirits. And a glass of chilled white wine like a light Trebbiano goes well and keeps the meal light and refreshing.

Ciao for now, and don't forget to visit me at http://www.marialiberati.com