Ok, raise your hand if you don’t like to cook with a stove during summer.
I love summer, a lot, really, it’s my favourite season. Yet there’s one thing I hate doing during summer and it’s cooking. Near the stove the heat is unbearable, even for someone like me who loves high temperatures!
So, I thought it was a good idea to list some Italian cold dishes you can cook spending little or no time at all near the stove. We’ll start with a starter and end with a dessert.
INVOLTINI DI BRESAOLA
Bresaola rolls is one of those Italian cold dishes that are extremely easy to prepare.
Ingredients for 4 people
120g Bresaola, sliced
200g Caprino cheese or Robiola cheese
100g Arugula
Extra virgin olive oil
Pepper
Put the cheese in a bowl with a spoon of olive oil and some pepper and stir with a fork or with a palette knife.
Rinse the arugula, drain, dry it, and chop it coarsely
Lay the bresaola slices on your working surface, spread some cheese on them, then lay some arugula and wrap the rolls.
Sprinkle with a little olive oil and some pepper and serve.
INSALATA DI RISO
Rice salad is one of the most cooked dishes in Italy during summer. It’s quick to prepare and can be eaten cold.
Ingredients for 4 people
Water
320g Arborio rice
Salt
400g Can of peas, drained
200g Cubed prosciutto cotto
200g Diced Italian cheese like Asiago
200g Button mushrooms in oil, drained
200g Can of tuna, drained
4 Boiled eggs, sliced
Extra virgin olive oil
Cook the rice in a large pot of salty boiling water following the package instructions. Cook it al dente.
Once cooked, drain the rice and rinse it under cold water. Set aside.
In a big bowl put the peas, prosciutto, cheese, mushrooms, eggs and tuna, and mix.
When the rice is cold, add it to the bowl, season with some extra virgin olive oil, and mix.
Put in the fridge for 4 hours and serve.
INSALATA CAPRESE
Insalata Caprese is the king of Italian cold dishes to prepare during Summer. Italians love it because it’s delicious, cold and quick to prepare
Ingredients for 4 people
500g Mozzarella
4 Big ripe tomatoes
Basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
Wash the tomatoes and rinse them.
Slice the mozzaralla and the tomatoes.
In a big plate arrange the slices of tomatoes alternating them with mozzarella.
Sprinkle with some salt and pepper.
Rip basil leaves by hand and place them on top.
Pour a little bit of olive oil and serve.
MOUSSE ALLE FRAGOLE
Strawberry mousse is the perfect dessert to eat during summer.
Ingredients for 4 people
250g Fresh strawberries
250ml fresh whipping cream
50g Powdered sugar
Wash the strawberries, rinse them and puree them. Add the sugar and mix.
Whip up the cream. Then, add it to the strawberries and mix gently.
Transfer the mousse into small cups. Cover the cups with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or more. Serve the mousse.
What’s your favousite cold Italian dish?
Credits
Original image by congerdesign
