Chicken with grilled vegetables (involtini)

chicken involtini & grilled vegetables

Tonight I would like to surprise you with some light, colourful but very popular dish: grilled chicken stuffed with Praga ham and cheese, and grilled vegetables.

Some of you have made the point that I do not use potatoes as side-dish; I would like to react on that: potatoes can be quite heavy and placing a pressure on the stomach, especially in the evening - however we use them sometimes, so keep following me and I show potatoe-based side dishes too, which could be suitable for a nice lunch.

Regarding chicken I would recommend to use always fresh one if possible - it may take a bit longer trip to visit a market, but believe me, it is worth it! This one which I used tonight comes from the countryside - and you can definitely feel the difference!

Ham is a classical part of our meals - as appetizers or as included in the main dishes - tonight I rolled ham slices into the chicken breast, together with some simple cheese (you need light one, not too much characteristic).

ristretto & limoncello

And here is some surprise for you to enjoy Saturday night with a typical Italian taste: ristretto (short coffee) and limoncello. We never miss to finish the courses with coffee and limoncello, which is a lemon based liqueur originally from southern Italy. Not only for the taste but it has great digestive effect so next time when you visit an Italian restaurant (or you invite me to cook for you), do not miss to ask for a shot.

Hope you like what you see - and hope to cook for you in person soon!

Ciao a tutti & buon appetito!
Marco

Salmon is the girls' best friend

salmon & grilled vegetables

Ladies & gentlemen, let me introduce you someone who will become your best friend from today on. This special guest should be frequent in your kitchen since we are all getting older (hehe, not me, though) so our memory can always be "upgraded" by a natural Omega 3 rich food. And if I know women just a little, they try to put on their faces incredible products which promise miracles in their anti-aging fight, but my dear ladies, let me whisper you a secret: you are beautiful at every age, in our eyes you are the true "principessa" (princess).
So here is your new best friend, the salmon - accompanied with some tricolor grilled vegetables (californian paprika, zucchini and eggplants) which plate teases not only your mouth by already your eyes when you look at them.
I used some vegeta of course (to give some Hungarian touch as I noticed how much you like it), some garlic, rosmarino and obviously olive oil (perfect Italian quality which I took last summer in big quantity from Toscana). Speaking of Toscana, the glass on the picture is not so visible but let me tell you I opened one of my favourite wine, also from Toscana, called Vermentino which complements perfectly the taste of the fish.

So do not forget salmon from your next shopping list - I will show you different cooking styles later on!

Ciao a tutti & buon appetito!
Marco