La dolce vita is an Italian phrase often used by non-Italians to describe the lazy, hazy days of summer. But it literally means the sweet life – and that’s a great way to characterize many lazy, hazy Italian Summer foods which often spotlight a single ingredient and involve absolute minimum preparation…
Insalata di Pommodori: Classic Italian Tomato Salad…
Insalata di Pommodori
Everybody loves Insalata di Pommodori, or plain old Tomato Salad. It literally takes just a few moments to make and calls for only three ingredients: Fresh, ripe Tomatoes, your best Virgin Olive Oil, and Red Wine Vinegar. You’ll want a pinch or two of Salt and Pepper, as well – but they’re seasonings, not official ingredients. Use whatever kind of Tomatoes you have – preferably plump Romas, fleshy Beefsteaks, or beautiful little Cherry or Grape Tomatoes.
Cut large Tomatoes into wedges or thick slices and just lop Cherry or Grape Tomatoes in half, arrange overlapping in a single layer on a broad platter, and drizzle with Oil and Vinegar. Finely dice two or three cloves of Garlic and distribute evenly over all. Sprinkle with Salt and Pepper to taste and garnish with fresh Basil and/or Oregano. Allow to rest covered in the fridge for half an hour or so, so the flavours can mingle.
Italian Onion Salad
Similar to the Tomato Salad above, this one relies on the same Basic drizzle of Red Wine Vinegar and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, with a sprinkle of Sugar, Salt and Pepper. But again, the key is the Onions. Use only the freshest large Sweet White(Bermuda or Vidalia) Onions, or Sweet, Mild Red Onions sliced into thin rings and distributed evenly on a spacious platter. Garnish with fresh Oregano, chopped Basil, and Parsley, and allow to marinate as with the Tomato Salad, above.
Fresh Mozzarella is great, too
Just slice Fresh Mozarella onto a platter and drizzle with your best Olive Oil, garnishing with lots of fresh Basil leaves, Salt and Pepper. That’s all it takes to make a great, traditional Italian side!
Cucumber Salad
Italy has no ‘exclusive’ on simple Salads for summer. One of the best I’ve had – because I’m partial to creamy dressings – is a Greek concoction that screams ‘ancient and traditional’, but is actually a fairly recent innovation. Just thinly slice a fresh Cucumber and spread the slices out on a platter. (You can overlap them if you like.) Then just drizzle with Tzatziki – your own or store-bought – and top with additional Greek Oregano if you wish. Again, half an hour covered in the fridge will improve the flavour of this simple Salad tremendously!
Getting the idea?
Put your Chef’s hat on and get thinking! I’ll bet you can come up with lot of other ideas for single-ingredient salads that even the Italians and Greeks never dreamed of. Hint: look for inspiration among summer foods, such as Zucchini, which are in high season and available in great abundance…
Now, mangia!
~ Maggie J.