L'Italia Meridionale--The South

L'Italia Meridionale consists of Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata e Calabria.  With Sicily this region was called, "al Regno delle Due Sicilie," the kingdom of the two Sicilys. 

Today's journey started with a slightly warm pyramid of Mozzarella di Bufalo di Campania, sitting in a pool of Olive Oil from Calabria, seasoned with salt and pepper.  The chewy cheese was a revelation, so much better tasting than the cow's milk mozzarella produced in the U.S.

Orecchiette Alle Cime di Rapa was the pasta course.  This former "peasant's dish" could not have been more satisfying.  The Broccoli Rabe is cut into small pieces, blanched, and tossed with the cooked Orecchiette in a delightful sauce of olive oil, garlic, finely chopped anchovies, and a minced, hot chili pepper.  The finished pasta is topped with toasted breadcrumbs and more olive oil.  The Feudi di San Gregorio, Greco di Tufo 2009 from Campania was delicious.

Lidia's Pesce Spada all'Uso di Bagnara rounded off our meal.  Swordfish steaks were covered with olive oil, lemon slices, and garlic; and then steamed in a dish, placed on a rack inside a roasting pan.  Once out of the oven, the swordfish was showered with crumbled dried oregano and sprinkled with fresh parsley; and served on a warm Caponata.  Much to our surprise a red wine from Puglia was served.  The Castello Monaci Liante, Salice Salentino 2009 played perfectly with the hearty caponata.  Neither the red wine, nor the caponata overwhelmed the swordfish.  What a revelation--red wine with fish!