Simplicity of Italian food

After four years in Italy, I now appreciate the simplicity of Italian food.  However, simplicity doesn’t mean that it’s tasteless.  I have realized that simple dishes allow you to taste the flavors of the ingredients used and as a result, its a delight for your taste buds.

One very simple Italian appetizer that is well-known the world over is bruschetta.  Oh a side note….it’s pronounced brus-kay-tta and not brus-shay-tta.

Try making it a home with tomatoes (if possible cherry tomatoes), fresh basil, good quality extra virgin olive oil and salt.  You may also use garlic but I usually leave it out. It takes less than 5 minutes to prepare and it’s so good.

Cut the tomatoes into cubes or if using cherry tomatoes into halves, chop up the basil, and in a bowl mix them all up with the  olive oil and salt to taste.   Serve this over some toasted bread and your bruschetta is ready to eat!

Yes it’s that simple….authentic Italian food is at its best when it’s simple.