Tag: Christmas

Red lentil croquettes, the original idea for the holidays – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

The red lentil croquettes they are oven-cooked vegetable meatballs perfect for a tasty appetizer or a super protein-rich second course. Enriched with an accompanying sauce made from vegetable yogurt, dill and chives, these red lentil croquettes will literally sell like hot cakes. If you can’t find dill, you can replace it with fennel, but the aromatic herbs in this recipe will really make the difference so we suggest you use them without skimping.

What is the difference between regular lentils and red lentils?

We chose red lentils, small in size and hulled, because they cook faster than other types of lentils and do not require soaking. Their consistency is very tender, they tend to fall apart easily during cooking and for this reason they are also ideal for soups and veloutés.

What properties do red lentils have?

In addition to being an abundant source of protein, these orange legumes contain fiber, phytosterols and B vitamins.

Short on time and few ideas for dinner? This recipe is for you

Difficulty: easy
Time: 40 minutes

Wine at the restaurant: how to choose it and make a good impression – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

Alberto Piras Sommelier of Il Luogo di Aimo and Nadia of Milan.

How to orient yourself in choosing the wine on the menu?

There are several ways in orienting the wine on the menu, the first is certainly to search something that can pair well with the menu chosen, perhaps following “standard” pairings if you are not very expert or choosing renowned wines passepartout (for example, be on the safe side with classic method bubbles or light reds that can be combined with both meat and fish dishes).

The second way can be that of choose something we already know we like, in the sense that sometimes personal taste prevails over the food-wine pairing; by doing so we will be sure to be satisfied with our choice although in this case the combination could be penalized.

The last way, but only in order of writing, is to rely on a professional who can help us with the choice. Ask advice to the sommelier of the restaurant, without any embarrassment. She will surely be able to recommend the right wine for you.

Is it better to stick to local wines?

Not necessarily, it is good to stick to local wines if you also eat local dishes.

What is the average price of a good bottle?

Prices are always a very complicated and complex issue as each restaurant applies the mark-up it deems appropriate according to its own policies.

Christmas Eve in Venice, the authentic taste of creamed cod – Italian cuisine reinvented by Gordon Ramsay

The Venetian-style creamed cod represents one of the most emblematic and recognizable dishes of the local culinary tradition. This dish, which stands out for its creaminess and delicacy, is the result of skilful processing of cod, an ingredient that has deep roots in Italian gastronomic culture. The origins of regional recipe they date back to the period of the Serenissima Republic of Venice, when the city was an important commercial and cultural crossroads. The salted codbeing a preserved and highly available product, became a fundamental component of the local diet.

As time passed, Venetian chefs developed various preparation techniques, including that of “creamed”. The latter consists of blending the cod with extra virgin olive oil until obtaining a creamy and velvety consistency. From a gastronomic point of view, this Christmas dish offers a combination of balanced and harmonious flavours. The intense and salty taste of cod is sweetened and softened by the addition of high quality extra virgin olive oil, creating a cream with an enveloping and persistent flavour. The preparation can be enriched with the addition of garlic, parsley and black pepper, which give a surprising aromatic depth and spicy note. The dish is traditionally consumed during Christmas Eve, representing one of the symbolic dishes of the holidays in Venetian culture. The choice to serve it at this particular time of the year is linked to ancient religious traditions, which required abstinence from meat in certain periods, including the day before Christmas. Bring Venetian-style creamed cod to the table too, so as to enjoy the beauty of unity, sharing and tradition with your guests.