Happy 4th of July
Casal Cristiana Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Produced for Fratelli Ponzi, LLC
Buongiorno! The sun is shining over the Adriatic Sea today and we are preparing to celebrate the summer season with a large food festival in Porto San Giorgio. You can walk for nearly a mile along the beach front to sample regional food from Le Marche. Each tent promotes their "sagra" (festival) for their community. In my family, we make a beeline for our favorites. For myself, it's the fresh mussels steamed in a huge cauldron with garlic and tomatoes. Michel searches out gnocchi and ragu. My youngest devours the tiny sweet clams that cling to spaghetti tangled in their juices. The teenager -- though not normally a sweet tooth -- heads to the end of the strip for cannoli, a specialty dessert. There is not a hamburger or hot dog to be found and as we head into one of America's greatest holidays, the 4th of July, I think of the past picnics and BBQ's. MIssing one of our American traditions, my Italian friends offered several potato salad recipes. The potato salad recipe below was today's lunch made with our extra virgin olive oil from Casal Cristiana. It's deliciously easy to make and complements burgers, hot dogs, bbq ribs and chicken. A perfect way to celebrate America's independence! Enjoy!
Patate Insalata Italiana
Ingredients -- for 4 - 6 people
4 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes
2 c. fresh slim green beans
2 - 4 boiled eggs
2 Tblsp. white wine vinegar
3/4 c. Casal Cristiana Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 - 4 cloves garlic (optional)
Italian parsley for garnish
Coarse sea salt (to taste, about 1 tsp.)
Cooking directions
1. For the potatoes -- Put a large pot of water over high heat to bring to a boil. Meanwhile, wash, peel and cut potatoes into bite size pieces, around one-inch cubes. Peel cloves of garlic but do not chop, leave whole, if you are going to include in the recipe. Once the water is boiling, put in potatoes and garlic. Boil for about 15 minutes or until cooked through. (Be sure to not overcook as the potatoes will continue to cook after draining.) Drain potatoes in a colander. Remove the garlic and discard. Let potatoes cool a bit before dressing.
2. Green beans -- Put a medium pot of water over high heat to bring to a boil. Meanwhile, trim the tops off and wash thoroughly. Once the water comes to a boil, toss in the green beans and cook for about 5 - 7 minutes. Do not over cook. Beans should still have a slight snap or crunch, not soft. When cooked, drain in a colander under cold water and cover with ice cubes, tossing, to prevent further cooking and to retain their bright green color.
3. Eggs -- Put a small pot of water of high heat, bring water to boil, place eggs in the water and cook for 5 - 7 minutes, then turn off heat. After about 10 - 15 minutes, rinse with cool water. Peel eggs.
4. Vinegar and Salt -- In a small bowl, put the vinegar and salt together so the salt will dissolve. Let it sit about 5 minutes.
5. Olive Oil -- measure your olive oil
6. Parsley - finely chop clean Italian parsley
Combine ingredients
Pour half of the vinegar/salt into the bottom of the serving bowl. Gently put the cooked potatoes in serving bowl, pour over the remaining vinegar/salt over the top and then gently toss. Pour olive oil over potatoes and gently toss, taste. Add more salt (using a salt mill, grind coarse sea salt) or vinegar/salt to taste. Cut cooked green beans into 1 inch pieces, put into potato salad and gently toss. Finely chop parsley for garnish and top potato salad with boiled eggs cut into quarters. Drizzle more olive oil on top if desired. Serve room temperature. (If made ahead, refrigerate and bring to room temperature prior to serving.)
Buon appetito e buona festa!
Saluti,
Rebecca and Michel Ponzi
In one day, our server's pedometer logged 16 miles within our restaurant hustling food and drinks to our celebratory guests. Whether its an engagement announcement, birthday, Mother's Day, work lunch or it's a "I am treating myself" moment, we are in the business of happiness with great food in a beautiful and relaxing environment and an upbeat team to make it all happen.
