Serves 6 This antipasto salad is made from fresh, new mozzarella cheese, which is very white, much lighter in texture than mature mozzarella, and is stored in water. It is available at well-stocked Italian delicatessens. • 1 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese • 3 small…

Serves 4 to 6 Serve with crackers or with hot pita bread as a first course. • 1 lb. eggplant • ¼ cup tartar Sauce • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice • 1 tsp. salt, or more to taste • ¼ tsp. pepper • 1 Tbs. plus 1 tsp. olive oil • 2 Tbs. chopped fresh cilantro (coriander…

Serves 4 to 6 as a first course This salad has the consistency of a dip or a spread and is served cool or at room temperature with crackers or pita bread on the side. • 3 cups cooked garbanzo beans (reserve a little bit of the cooking liquid, as it may be needed) • 2…

Serves 4 to 6 • 2 lbs. firm young eggplant • 1 Tbs. peanut oil • 2 Tbs. cider vinegar • 2½ Tbs. brown sugar • 2 small cloves garlic, minced • 2 Tbs. finely minced onion • 2 generous tsp. grated fresh ginger • 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1. Prick the eggplants in several…

Serves 4 to 6 Serve with an antipasto or as a separate course. • ⅓ cup finely diced carrots • ¾ cup green beans, cut in ¼-inch bits • ¼ cup diced celery • ¼ cup diced green bell pepper • ½ cup chopped red onion • 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley • 2½ cups cooked rice, warm…

Serves 4 to 6 • 1 lb. celery root • 1½ qts. water • ½ cup milk • 2 Tbs. lemon juice • 1½ Tbs. white wine vinegar • 2½ Tbs. mayonnaise • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard • 1 Tbs. heavy cream • salt and pepper to taste 1. Peel the celery root and cut it in julienne strips. Combine…

Serves 6 to 8 as a first course Serve as a salad, on crackers, or as part of an antipasto. • 2½ lbs. firm eggplant • 1 large, firm tomato • ½ cup minced onion • 2 cloves garlic, minced • ½ cucumber, peeled, seeded, and grated • 12 to 15 pitted cured black olives,…

Serves 6 to 8 • ¾ cup fresh peas • 1 lb. chilled cooked gnocchi • 1½ cup red, yellow, and green peppers, cut in thin, short strips • 3 Tbs. finely chopped red onion • 2 Tbs. olive oil • 2 Tbs. thick tomato purée or 1½ Tbs. tomato paste • 1 Tbs. red wine vinegar • salt…

Serves 8 to 10 • 1 lb. small dried white beans (about 2 cups) • 2 medium-sized tomatoes, coarsely chopped • ⅓ cup finely chopped red onion • ⅓ to ½ cup cured black olives, sliced • 6 Tbs. olive oil • 6 Tbs. white wine vinegar • 1 to 2 cloves garlic, minced • ½ cup…

Serves 4 to 6 Serve with an antipasto or as a separate course. • ⅓ cup finely diced carrots • ¾ cup green beans, cut in ¼-inch bits • ¼ cup diced celery • ¼ cup diced green bell pepper • ½ cup chopped red onion • 3 Tbs. minced fresh parsley • 2½ cups cooked rice, warm…

Serves 8 • 2 cups large dry lima beans • 1½ qts. water • salt • ⅓ cup olive oil • ¼ cup white wine vinegar • plenty of fresh-ground black pepper 1. Put the beans in a large pot with the water and 1 teaspoon salt, bring to a boil, then reduce the flame. Simmer the…