We were raised in an Italian-American household, although we didn’t speak Italian in the house. We were very proud of being Italian, had Italian music, ate Italian food.
Francis Ford Coppola
Like Coppola, we didn’t speak Italian in our home either. But boy did we speak Italian food. Passion for my Italian roots began at the kitchen table. My father loved to replicate recipes from his Italian youth to our table in Southern California and my childhood is full of warm memories of delicious dishes from Italy: homemade polenta, fresh marinara sauce from scratch, and his own take on anchovy pasta.
My father was born in 1919 in Italy, near Udine, in the Fruili-Venezia-Guilia region that borders Austria, Slovenia and the Adriatic. He and his parents and siblings immigrated to Northern New Jersey in 1921, as did many other Italian families at that time. He moved to California after WWII, married my mother (who wasn’t Italian) and I came along soon thereafter. One of my biggest regrets has always been not learning the language and history more from my father before he passed away when I was 13.
I will forever remember with fondness the many meals he prepared for our small family.
Today, one of my favorite Italian chefs is Lidia Bastianich, who also hails from Northern Italy/Slovenia. When I want to learn a new Italian dish, I invariably turn to one of Lida’s cookbooks. Her food is simple and straightforward, always fresh and flavorful. So many of her recipes remind me of my father and the smells and tastes from the kitchen in which I was raised. It’s a pleasure to cook her food and remember my childhood.
Tonight, I made her Celery & Mozzarella Salad. I always — and I mean always — have Dijon mustard on hand. But tonight, I suddenly found myself without any. So, I substituted with whole grain mustard instead. While it didn’t bind as well as a Dijon mustard would, I believe it was just as flavorful as it would have been otherwise.
This delicious dish from Italy, Celery & Mozzarella Salad, is both healthy and satisfying. The best part is that contains ingredients that many of us likely have on hand. And it’s perfect for any season of the year. Pair this salad with a hearty soup, some crusty bread and a good white wine.
Buon Appetito and remember always “Live a Life Explored!”
Celery & Mozzarella Salad
A terrific Italian salad that is healthy and perfect for all seasons.
Equipment
- 1 medium bowl
- 1 whisk
- serving utensils
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound fresh mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup walnuts toasted and coarsely chopped
- 2 cups celery thinly sliced on the bias, with some leaves
Instructions
- In a serving bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, mustard and salt. Slowly whisk in olive oil to make a smooth dressing.
- Add the mozzarella, walnuts and celery. Toss well with the dressing and serve.
