Tag: ideas

Anchovies in salt: 8 ideas for quick and easy dishes – Italian Cuisine

A poor ingredient, but rich in flavor. Here's how to use salted anchovies.

Often in the supermarket fridge counter they go unnoticed close to cheeses, sliced meats and preserves in oil, yet salted anchovies they are an extraordinary food that can be used in many ways in the kitchen. Mostly, they are very cheap and they do well.
They are usually packaged inside one aluminum box similar to tuna and sold by weight. They differ in flavor and texture from those in oil.

Anchovies and anchovies. The difference

Let's start with the difference between these two terms because very often we think we are confusing, actually there's no difference because anchovies and anchovies are the same thing, and are indifferently called in one way or another.
But we can say there are more commonly called anchovies the fish preserved in salt, while anchovies marinated or preserved in oil, but even in these cases there is no rule to be respected.
So, in conclusion, feel free to talk about anchovies and anchovies in the same way.

How to store salted anchovies

To prepare salted anchovies that they are very fresh and that they are less than 24 hours old. The eyes must not be red, the consistency must be rather firm and the color iridescent.
The salting method of anchovies is an ancient activity already carried out in the early Middle Ages and used mainly by the populations of the coast to preserve the freshly caught fish.
Anchovies should not be washed in fresh water, but they should be immediately covered with salt so as to lose their liquids. After two hours they come eliminate the head, the entrails and the bone, although in many cases the latter is left inside.
At this point the anchovies come placed in layers in a glass container covered with coarse salt between one layer and another e topped with a weight to keep them well pressed. In this way they lose the water that must slowly be eliminated. After about 4 months they are ready.

How to clean salted anchovies

Being completely covered with salt, the anchovies must be well washed under running water and gently remove the central bone, although in some recipes it is not necessary to remove it.
For example, if you want to fry them, just pass them in flour and then directly into boiling oil.
After carefully washing the anchovies, you simply need to dry them with kitchen paper and season them with oil, a little salt and wanting some fresh chilli.
I can stay in the fridge for a couple of days after being washed and treated.

Ideas with salted anchovies

Let's move on to the recipes. The anchovies are so good that it would simply take one warm and crunchy slice of bread to accompany them, but we want to suggest you some quick and easy idea for the summer. Browse the tutorial!

Grilled zucchini. 10 ideas to use in the kitchen – Italian Cuisine

When a simple summer side dish like grilled zucchini can turn into a rich and original dish

Grilled courgettes are the perfect side dish for the summer, but not only. Here's how to turn them into one extraordinary single dish.

Summer with zucchini

In this season the courgettes are tender and sweet and bringing them to the table is always a pleasure.
They are very versatile vegetables and can be prepared in many ways. Do you know that they are also very good to eat raw? If you are curious, read the article A menu based on raw zucchini.

How to grill courgettes

The easiest way to prepare zucchini is to grill them and the secret of a good grilled zucchini, in addition to the quality of the raw material, is the cut. The slices must indeed be cut in length with a mandolin or with a very sharp knife. The perfect thickness? About half a centimeter. If you use round zucchini, remove the two ends and then cut into slices.
Then heat one grill or a plate which must be hot at the time of cooking. You can also use one no stick pan always hot. In this case it is not necessary to add oil or other seasonings. If you have a barbecue even better, but be careful not to toast them too much.
Courgettes should be cooked for 3-4 minutes per side: remember not to turn them continuously on the plate.
The characteristic of grilled courgettes are the cooking lines and must be well defined on both sides.

The perfect seasoning

Grilled courgettes are also good simply seasoned with oil and salt, but we explain how to make this emulsion very tasty and fragrant for an even tastier side dish.
In a small bowl put extra virgin olive oil, salt, ground pepper, garlic crushed or cut into small pieces, vinegar or lemon juice and leaflets of parsley or mint.
Let the mixture rest for a few minutes and then pour it over the zucchini.
If you prefer a thicker seasoning add to this emulsion also light yogurt.

Recipes with grilled zucchini

Grilled courgettes are not just a side dish, but can turn into more complete recipes.
We offer you in the tutorial some ideas very simple and fast, perfect for the summer.

Incoming search terms:

Figs: quick and easy ideas – Italian Cuisine

The sweetest moment of the season has arrived. So many sweet and savory options for your summer dinners

In addition to being delicious summer fruits, figs are rich in properties. They are considered, together with kiwis and prunes, real ones natural laxatives and are therefore recommended for those suffering from constipation or intestinal problems, especially if consumed on an empty stomach. Are also rich in calcium and mineral salts and therefore they are a precious help for the bones. I'm anti inflammatory and help fight cough and sore throat and to prevent seasonal ills by strengthening the immune system. Like all foods that contain potassium, calcium and magnesium, figs help keep blood pressure at the right levels and therefore are precious allies of the heart.
Finally, being high in sugar, figs are the ideal snack for all those times when you need a little energy, easily digestible and very delicious.
Pay attention only to the quantities because they are very caloric, especially the dry ones.

Which fig to choose?

You can use any type of fig in your recipes, but keep these in mind differences between one variety and another.
The green fig, is the most common, is very juicy and has a thin skin. If ripe it is sweet and sugary.
The purple fig it is more juicy, but very delicate. More difficult to find, it is not kept much.
Finally there is the black fig which is less juicy and sweeter than the others, but more resistant.

Ideal combinations with figs

Figs are fine both with sweet and savory dishes.
Try them for example with gods very tasty cheeses like gorgonzola or caprino or with some very savory seasoned. Another ideal combination is with the raw ham. If you have never tried the Roman focaccia with ham and figs, you must definitely fix it. Finally, the dried fruit, especially walnuts. Are you in the mood for a quick, sweet snack? Spread fresh ricotta cheese on a slice of bread, add some slices of figs and a bit of honey and complete everything with walnuts and cinnamon.
In the tutorial you will find some useful suggestions for your recipes. Here below are the our easy proposals made from figs perfect this season. Many appetizers and some desserts. Aren't you curious to try?