We have a say in Italy that nothing is wasted in the kitchen. I had a leek that was getting old in the tooth and some Italian  large elbows and with a can of cannellini beans and the usual soffritto vegetables, I came up with a nice dish. A very nice dish

It tastes better fried

Stir fried roast beef with peppers and onions accompanied be sauteed broccoletti. Wonderful

 It's been unseasonably cold these days so a simple vegetable soup is very appropriate. 

 This is what my beloved mother called salsa semplice or simple sauce. Simple but it takes a  few delicate steps to pull it of. The oil must be super hot and the garlic clove must really sizzle when the tomatoes or even pomodorini are violently throw in. This creates a reaction that coats the tomatoes with something akin to a cream. Add pieces of basil and throw in the al dente pasta. The magic is done.

 My beloved mother called this "salsa semplice" or simple sauce. It is simple but the devil is in the details.  Put good olive oil in a skillet and add one clove of garlic. When the oil is almost smoking, add the tomatoes or pomodorini. This causes a reaction that coats the tomatoes in something akin to delicate cream. Add pieces of basil but don't overcook. Remove the garlic clove and toss the al dente pasta in the sauce. The magic is done. A perfect summer dish.

 Classic Sicilian fare originating from Palermo where it's called pasta arriminata. It means that the sauce must be stirred to an almost paste consistency. I like to keep the cauliflower florets small but visible. This dish requires preparation but the rewards are great, It includes a few anchovies, cauliflover, a clove or two of garlic, pignoli, raisins, a teaspoon of tomato paste, some dry white wine and real saffron. I also add muddica atturrata or toasted bread crumbs, pecorino and finely chopped parsley that are added at the end with the stove turned off. The result, a feast of flavors to delight the palate.

 Sword fish fried with red onions and a dash of white wine vinegar accompanied with cime di rapa or broccoli rape and fried eggplants. A great philosopher once said: fried tastes better than broiled.

Sliced top round sautéed and dressed with a  mushroom sauce accompanied with lightly sautéed broccoli. A wonderful and filling main  dinner course.  
 

Classic pasta with shrimps. I used Italian organic pappardelle instead of the usual spaghetti for a more satisfying experience.

Shells pasta with fresh peas in a creamy but light sauce. An example of compplex simplicity. 

 Simply delicious: pennette liscie with broccoli in a cream sauce.

This is the real way pasta al pesto genovese is prepared. Along witht he pasta a small potato and a few cut up string beaans are addded for an out of this world flavor.

 

 Tender pot roast with mashed potatoes and pugliese style string beans.

 A very simple and delicious dish. Linguine with tomato and bacon. Wonderful.

 A delicious dish and, if I say so myself, a nice picture. Rotini with radicchio, pancetta and walnuts.

 Boneless pork loins pizzaiola with Brussell sprouts sautéed with bacon and scallions. A nice supper on a rainy evening i a spring tht is very reluctant this year. 

 A example of complex simplicity. A simple dish that becomes memorable with much attention to detail. The freshest ingredients and a loving hand and the results are to die for. 

Spaghetti al tonno. Nothing can be simpler than this dish. Perfect when I'm i a hurry and run out of ideas an what to cook for lunch. 

As simple as it gets but delicious. Fusilli with broccoli and pomodorini.

 

 Tired of the usual spaghetti with zucchini and tuna, I added shrimps and the result was magical.