Auguri al Santo Padre!
25 years ago this week Pope Giovanni Paolo II ascended to the See of Saint Peter, and though many Italians were initially wary -- his non-Italian accent was unfamiliar, and his name was unpronounceable -- his charisma and vitality -- who had ever seen a Pope on skis? -- rapidly won people over. This doesn't mean that Italians agree with him, and indeed many disagree with his positions on a wide variety of issues, but even his firmest opponents respect and support him, and with every physical setback that he has stubbornly struggled through his popularity has increased. So there have been many celebrations this week, President Ciampi wished him well on national TV, and Saint Peter's Square was even fuller than usual.
The anniversary was also an occasion for the Cardinals to gather, and after their meeting they enjoyed a dinner in the Pope's honor, whose menu was leaked to the Press:
- Antipasto di Mousse di Gamberi Rosa: A delicate pink shrimp mousse.
- Fagottini di Fagiolini e Carotine al Vapore: Fagottini are square pasta-filled packets that are similar to ravioli, but easier to make. In this case they're filled with steamed greens and ricotta.
- Risotto al Limone in Forma Intera di Grana: Lemon risotto has become quite fashionable of late, and it's also quite fashionable to serve it in a hollowed out wheel of Parmigiano or Grana. Of course you have to be making a lot to do that… This recipe also calls for pomegranate, which you can omit if you'd rather.
- Ravioloni con Ripieno di Cernia e Verdura in Salsa Rosa: Ravioli stuffed with grouper and greens. This is quite traditional, and is a wonderful use for leftover fish too.
- Anatra All'Arancia Contornata da Bocconcini di Vitello Con Funghi Porcini e Lamelle di Tartufo Bianco: Tremendous Elegance, a rich duck in orange sauce, surrounded by a mushroomy veal stew that's well seasoned with white truffle.
- Carciofi alla Romana: probably one of the best uses for really good freshly picked artichokes.
- Patatine Nocciola: Potatoes cooked until they are an elegant golden brown. The Cardinals didn't say how; this particular recipe is Roman.
- Punte di Asparagi: Asparagus tips. If asparagus is really good it's best kept simple, and since the Cardinals didn't say how their asparagus was done, here it is in a simple butter-and-vinegar sauce.
- To top it all off, a cake shaped like Saint Peter's, decorated with lit candles that make up the colonnade. Alas, you'll have to be a sculptor to make something along these lines, but in its stead a Creamy Italian Layer Cake will be quite nice.
More about Giovanni Paolo II:
- A Quick Profile
- The Vatican's Site, and their overview of Pope John Paul II's Papacy.
Buon Appetito!
Kyle Phillips
Got more sites / recipes to suggest? Let me know.
