Rachel Roddy’s recipe for deep-fried little fish and courgette matchsticks | A kitchen in Rome

Fill a glass with something long and cool, draw up a chair and snack on summery fried anchovies and courgettes

I often pass La Torricella at about 11am, as they are setting up for lunch. Under a long, narrow awning, there are 18 or so tables for two, which get pushed together in different ways depending on the bookings. Each table gets swamped by two tablecloths. It’s a good sound, the heavy cutlery meeting the table. Each place also gets a thick napkin and two glasses, one a bit larger than the other, but of the same tulip-shape with a short stem. I like these glasses; they are solid and reliable to hold. According to the restaurant supply website, they are called Bormioli Rocco 28.7cl or 20.7cl for a tavern or trattoria, a classic glass che non tramonta mai (that never goes out of fashion).

Like many trattorie and restaurants in Rome, and especially in Testaccio, the family that runs La Torricella has roots in the neighbouring region of Abruzzo – a reminder of the surging migration, especially when Rome became capital in 1860, and also of the Abruzzese as cooks and hosts. Unlike other places, though, which are dedicated to classic and meaty cucina Romana and the right amount of offal, La Torricella offers mostly fish. Time has made us forgiving and affectionate; we have been going to La Torricella regularly for years. The flattened polpette of salt cod or cuttlefish, spaghetti with clams, short-sleeved mezze maniche pasta with tiny flying octopus, red mullet alla Livornese and pan-fried sea bass with potatoes are all favourites. But most of all, maybe, I enjoy both the smell and the taste of fried things: tiny, bristly artichokes, small, musky octopus and anchovies.

UK readers: click to buy these ingredients from Ocado

Continue reading...

from Recipes | The Guardian https://ift.tt/RugGrmY
via IFTTT

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to cook turkey crown: The best turkey crown recipe

Image
A turkey crown makes a handsome centrepiece on the Christmas table and is the ideal turkey option for smaller festive gatherings. A turkey crown is a whole turkey with the legs and usually the wings removed, so just the white breast meat is left on the bone. It is also possible to buy a deboned stuffed turkey crown where the bones are removed making it extra easy to carve. Both are an ideal choice for a smaller Christmas fest as there is less meat. And although very similar, we do find a turkey crown a bit simpler to cook than a whole turkey. As when cooking an entire bird there can be a difference in cooking times between the light and dark meat. Turkey crowns are readily available from supermarket and butchers in the weeks leading up to Christmas and Thanksgiving. They will often come adorned with an attractive bacon lattice or herby decoration to make them look extra special – and to save you the job of dressing it yourself! Per kilo turkey crowns are generally more expensive
Read more

Aldi cast iron cookware range to rival Le Creuset is back – in pretty pastel pink!

Image
The Aldi cast iron cookware is returning this month. Credit: Aldi The best-selling cast iron range returns with a newly improved coating and a delicious new shade of pastel pink for 2021! With the most expensive piece costing just £24.99, Aldi’s range is a fraction of the price of luxury brand rivals, namely Le Creuset. The range will be available to pre-order online from Sunday 28th February, and hitting stores from 7th March. Given how well it sold last time around we predict it will fly off the shelves, so don’t delay if you want to cash in on this new cookware. Set your phone reminder now! Aldi cast iron cookware in pastel pink Here’s a sneak peek at the delicious new pastel pink colourway. Cookware so good it deserves to be on show! In this irresistible shade of pretty pink these casserole dishes will look fabulous left on the hob at all times. Budding chefs rejoice! Get ready to cook up a storm with the return of this premium kitchen collection. Prepare for a seasonal
Read more

The best natural hayfever remedies and relief

Image
Getty Images If over-the-counter hay fever medicines leave you drowsy and miserable, try one of our top 10 natural hay fever remedies to keep you feeling fine and hay fever free all summer long! Never suffered with hay fever symptoms before, but have this year? That’s because it’s getting worse. “Hay fever is on rise,” says chief pharmacist Stuart Gale from oxfordonlinepharmacy.co.uk . By 2030, it’s predicted that half the population will have it. “A sudden reaction could be because we are now better able to diagnose such conditions,” says Stuart. “Previously, patients might have been diagnosed with a summer cold.” And that’s not all. “As the climate changes so does the make-up of plant pollens. So, although you were previously exposed to pollens throughout your life which did not affect you, you may suddenly find you’re sensitive to a particular pollen strain,” says Stuart. “And pollen counts are on the increase, combined with warmer summers. This exacerbates the impact of pollu
Read more