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Learn
To Cook Authentic Homestyle
Italian Pasta Dishes Quickly & Easily!
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Clay Damewood
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Hi, my name is Clay
Damewood. As an Italian-American, I wrote Trulli Italian to offer unpretentious menus and methods to prepare authentic Italian pasta dishes in the homemade or “alla casalinga” style from the region of Apulia (Puglia) in Southern Italy.
The Trullo house pictured on the cover of my ebook can only be found in Apulia. These structures dot the exotic and beautiful countryside in the Valley of Itria and are national monuments. I wanted to bring you some of the recipes my relatives make there to this day. |
Trullo house found in Apulia, Italy.
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This is not a regional cookbook in the true sense of the word, although I wanted to expose the reader to the history and culture of the region of Apulia
(Puglia). My main effort is to translate the ingredients found in Italy to the American table to the greatest extent possible.
In my experience food always tastes differently in its native environment and is not easily imitated in foreign lands. For example, mozzarella di bufala or mozzarella cheese from Naples can only be found in the region of Compagnia where water-buffaloes are used to make this delicious, soft cheese. |
My recipes (around 100) do not contain exotic ingredients but rather economical off-the-shelf ingredients and easy methods for preparing great tasting dishes, some traditional and some new, with preparation times of 30 minutes or less.
I also wanted to dispel many myths about the complexity of Italian cooking. I lived in Northern and Southern Italy for over seven years experimenting with friends, relatives, and in trattorie and restaurants discovering practical tips in preparing the best Italian dishes adapted to ingredients readily available to the average American.
“Arte Casalinga” or home cooking in its purest form uses fresh ingredients whenever practical, with simple, quick uncomplicated preparation directions. You do not need fancy utensils, a pasta maker, or tubs of fresh chicken broth in your refrigerator to execute great recipes.
Italians subtly use spices, herbs, tomatoes, and other flavorings to make their sauces delicately accent the pasta it is served with. I will share with you common do’s and don’ts of real “old country” Italian cooking which if adhered to can make a significant difference in the way your pasta dishes turn out.
Many cookbooks include exciting recipes but for most of us it becomes an overwhelming task to gather up all the special ingredients needed for each recipe. Included in
Trulli Italian is a comprehensive shopping list that will allow you to go to your local supermarket and buy most all of the ingredients in one trip for the recipes contained within this cookbook.
I also list the minimum types of utensils needed in an Italian kitchen, which herbs and spices to stock, how to use them and the different types of cheeses used in Italy.
From my Pugliese cousins I bid you Auguri, Saluti and ...
BUON APPETITO!
Clay Damewood
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