RSS‘Simplicity in taste'
Vienna woman blends Italian food, culture
Fiery with energy and bursting with holiday plans, Italian cook and cultural specialist Cetti Mangano of Vienna readies a simple Christmas meal, ideal for a family gathering.
And because she is Italian to her very roots -- "I am from Palermo," she says -- the meal is Italian, and a natural expression of Mangano's love for her native culture and food. Even with her Ph.D. in foreign languages with a specialty in Chinese language and culture, Mangano puts Italy first and foremost in her life.
To carry the Italian message to her American friends and fans, Mangano offers an evening of food and culture. For those who sign up for her program, "Italian Insights," Mangano plans an authentic menu and goes to the host's home to prepare the meal. While guests are dining, she discusses Italian traditions and, of course, the country's cooking.
"When I came to the United States, I found that food was a way for Americans to approach Italian culture," she said.
To her dismay, however, she discovered that most Americans summarize Italian cooking as spaghetti and meatballs and lots of oregano.
"The cuisine becomes a cliché," she said.
Mangano pointed out that to the contrary of the popular American view, Italian cooking is infinitely varied, by region, town and village -- and perhaps even by household.
"We have two million 'real' lasagna recipes," she said. "We have so many traditions, but we don't lose our identity. Italian food is simplicity in taste. Food for us is an art. It is pleasure and beauty from its taste and appearance."
Besides as an art, Italians use food as a way to relax, gather together and enjoy companionable conversations, Mangano said.
"Food is a major index of ours for sitting together," she said. "The focus of life is enjoying each other's company."
In the spirit of the season, Mangano shares a typical Italian meal ideal for casual holiday family gatherings. Best of all, each component comes together easily -- the whole meal is readied in about 90 minutes -- yet looks and tastes celebratory.
"This menu is wintery, yet simple," she concluded.
For more information about Mangano's evening of Italian food and culture, visit her Web site, www.Italianinsights.com.