Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Bella Italia and a recipe

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I've already done this countless times in my head. Create this post, I mean. Create, recreate and so on...Considered the many things I should write about. The good, the great, the unexpected, the magic of it all. Just trying to share all the incredible experiences I've had, complete with the sounds, smells and yes even the soundtrack of the whole trip, as all good stories need a soundtrack. Try Gianna Nannini , Madonna's Miles Away or Open Road by Grace. I've had these tunes in my head for months now, playing over and over again...And every single time they take me back to the long, scenic drives in the south of Italy and the poppy fields of France. The lemon scent in the air in Amalfi; savouring every bite of the world's BEST pistachio gelato in Polignano-al-Mare, while the rough waves hit the rocks so hard your feet start trembling; gazing for hours at wild horses in the south of France, need I say more??
It all started in March, when we shuttered our humble abode and set off on a pilgrimage to the culinary motherlands of France and Italy. Being quite aware of the fact that not much can be done to temper the self-indulgence of this story's premise I will rely on just a few of the pictures to give you a taste of what it was like. For me.



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Strawberry Mozzarella salad with Prosciutto di Parma



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After having mozzarella and prosciutto for lunch almost every day while in Italy, I felt (at the time) that I needed a break from both. Clearly this so called break did not last long. I found some gorgeous local strawberries at the market and just couldn't resist. On my way home I dropped by my local Salumeria for some fresh mozzarella and a few slices of prosciutto and hey presto lunch!

For the dressing mix some extravirgin olive oil with grainy mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste. Toss some sliced strawberries and mixed Italian greens with the dressing. Serve with torn mozzarella pieces and a few slices of prosciutto.Enjoy!
More on Italy and France coming soon...

11 comments:

CookiePie said...

That is one beautiful salad! Perfect for the season!

Snooky doodle said...

great photos! The salad looks delicious! Next time visit Malta too it's a small island near Sicily :)

zita said...

I wish i can go to Italy right now, great idea using strawberrier to balance the mozzarella and the salty prosciutto :)

Sara said...

Beautiful pictures! The salad looks so light and delicious.

Culinary Wannabe said...

Oh you have me day dreaming! The pictures have me absolutely transported. Your trip must have been amazing!

Coco Bean said...

Yes, you have put together three of my favourite ingredients! This was a beautiful blog post, thanks for sharing!
Oh, and you have home made chili sauce... please do share!

Deeba PAB said...

Oh I love Italy...what a gorgeous post! Great salad too!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous place, great views, fab food.. it does not get better than that...

Sorry I have not been by recently, just moved to a new site, moved .. etc etc..

Danielle said...

OOOOOHHHH WOWWWWW! Awesome salad! Great combination of some of my favourite flavours!

lauresophie said...

nice pictures of my two countries! you made me discovered strawberries with mozzarella....ciaaooo

Deeba PAB said...

How lucky you are to have been to suh places full of charcter. Love each snapshot...just beautiful. Like the salad!! Thank you for sharing this!!