An Italian Menu For The Week

Published Feb. 12, 2010 at 10:26 a.m.
Rome was blanketed in snow today, for the first time in many years, and much of Southern Italy has gotten dusted as well. Continuing with weather, Isoradio, the highway network's radio station, says that much of Emilia Romagna is snowy too, and if the southern half of the Pianura Padana is getting socked in it's a fair bet that the northern half (in particular Milano and Torino) are also getting it. In short, we're in the grips of winter. And when it's like this, one needs dishes that will keep the chill outside the house. If you have the time it's hard to beat polenta, but we've discussed it recently. On the other hand, if you;re in a hurry and want a quick blast of heat, you might start with a risotto:

• Risotto al Curry con la Vitella: Curry isn't the most common Italian ingredient, but it does work nicely in this risotto, which also has veal and spinach. Followed by:
• Costolette d'Agnello al Vino Rosso: Though the most common Italian way to prepare lamb chops is scottadito -- on the grill -- there are other options, and this lamb in red wine sauce is quite pleasant. Serve with: Broccoletti alla Siciliana, which are nice as a side dish or over pasta.
• Dessert? Despite the chill, I owuld go with fresh fruit: healthy, non-fattening (bathing suit season nears...) and packed with vitamins and minerals. In Italy, oranges continue to be quite good.

A wine? Difficult, because curry begs a white, and lamb a red. I might go with a Rossese di Dolceacqua, a richly fragrant pale red from Liguria, or with a Pelaverga di Verduno (Piemonte), another richly aromatic red. Or a Primitvo from Puglia.

An Italian Menu For The Week originally appeared on About.com Italian Food on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 10:26:55.

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