Friday, August 20, 2010

Elba part 7 - Sicilian salad and a stomach pump please


I need a break. This is a food orgy; all we seem to be doing these days is eating and drinking. Plus my morning runs and afternoon laps have come to a screeching halt since my 13 month-old not only has decided to start waking up early in the morning but also that he cannot live a minute without his father or me in a two-foot radius. And did I mention that he is also trying to abolish his afternoon nap?
As a consequence I am rising like a loaf of bread in a hot oven. I need to go back home and get back into shape. I also need some healthy, light food. So pass me a salad and a stomach pump please if you will.

Unfortunately the closest you can get to a salad around here is an Insalata siciliana, not exactly two leaves of lettuce and a light olive oil and lemon juice emulsion. It reminds me a lot of a salade niçoise. Once again, there are several versions of it so I will be giving you my mother-in-law's recipe as usual. The base is green beans, tomatoes, boiled potatoes and hard boiled eggs. 



Ingredients
5 potatoes
ripe tomatoes
green beans
4 hard boild eggs
achovy fillets
1 or 2 onions
oregano
olive oil
red wine vinegar

Boil the eggs, potatoes and green beans. In the picture above, my mother in law boiled the onions with the potatoes to give it a more delicate flavor. If you are using raw onions (traditional) use red ones. When the eggs have cooled, quarter them, chop the onion and anchovies and mix all the ingredients. Add olive oil, vinegar and sprinkle some dry oregano. Black olives and capers also go well with it.

2 comments:

  1. Oh I feel for you I really do! I get to that stage with so many holidays!

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  2. I don't know how you manage all the meals! Is the trick to just take a few nibbles? I know I wouldn't be able to stop myself.

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