an italian cook around the world
The Sicilian Caponata recipe is one of the most popular Italian appetizers, and so rich in history. Tasting this recipe means discovering the real soul of the island and all the Greek, Arab, Spanish, and French influences into the Sicilian cuisine, due to the several occupations over the centuries.In Sicily, the official Caponata variations are 37, and even more the family recipes! Here the history of Sicilian Caponata and the 4 most popular recipes.
Palermitan Caponata recipe is probably the most worldwide famous Sicilian Caponata. This sweet and sour appetizer had been originally served as side dish, and paired with grilled Mahi Mahi. The Palermitan Caponata recipe is prepared into two different variations: the first one simpler in ingredients, the second enriched with pine nuts, raisin, and roasted almonds. Here the traditional recipe of Palermitan Caponata!
The Caponata Agrigentina is one of the most famous Sicilian Caponata recipes. The most distinguishing trait of the Caponata Agrigentina is the adding of Italian sweet peppers, called Peperoni Arramascati in Sicilian dialect. This appetizer is a must to try in Sicily and often paired with bread slices, grilled meats, and fish like Mahi Mahi, Tuna, or Swordfish.
Ratatouille recipe is a delicious, vegan dish, very traditional into the Southern France cuisine. These stir-fried mixed vegetables are perfect as an appetizer as well as a side dish! In the tradition, the ingredients are slowly stewed until creamy along with Provencal Herbs, but over the years the cooking time is got reducing progressively, so according to your preference cook the ratatouille 30 mins up to 3 hours!
White anchovies salad is a recipe I love to serve all year long! The savory and sour taste of the anchovies pairs greatly with the sweetness of baked eggplants. And the best thing is the healthiness of this dish, rich in Omega-3 and vitamins!
Eggplant pasta with prosciutto dices is a quick and tasty Italian recipe. I love serve this sauce along with any kind of short pasta, but the shape I prefer is Garganelli: an Emilian kind of maccheroni very traditional in Bologna, my birth city. Deep fried eggplants give a characteristic flavor, but if you prefer an healthier choice you can bake them, considering that the taste will be good but not the same. I like complete this eggplant pasta with Ricotta Salata cheese, but Pecorino is perfect as well!
Today roasted mixed vegetables! This recipe is great all year long, but I like serve it aside grilled meat or egg frittata in my garden enjoying a summer dinner with my friends. At this time, I choose my preferred vegetables and cheese, but it’s possible change ingredients as you prefer. Provencal herbs give a particular taste at this roasted mixed vegetables, I love them so much!
In Italy we particularly love stuffing tomatoes! We really enjoy Roman-style gratin dishes prepared with breadcrumbs and herbs or with rice and potatoes. Today we’ll prepare them with one of my favorite fillings: diced eggplants that we will fry beforehand in order to release the typical eggplant parmigiana flavor. To further enhance our filling, we will add sun-dried tomatoes and smoked aged mozzarella (in Italy known as “scamorza“). You may serve these tasty tomatoes as an appetizer or as a side dish to your grilled meat. Once ready, let stand for 5 minutes and serve still warm!e ready, let stand for 5 minutes and serve still warm!