Cucina povera: The art of doing a lot with a little
Learning to do a lot with a little is one of the best cooking (and life!) lessons Italian tradition has taught us.
Sometimes, it feels like we need fancy ingredients to put something great on the table or add a little pizzazz to our plates. But Italian cooking has proven to us time and time again that with only a few simple, quality ingredients, a bit of know-how, and a smidge of creativity, anyone can prepare a feast from just the basics. Whether it’s the best of times or, well, tougher times, the rich repertoire of cucina povera (peasant cooking) from every part of the Mediterranean boot continues to spark our imagination. I, for one, love to go back to these timeless recipes for inspiration, but also much-needed confirmation that eating well doesn’t have to be complicated or costly.
In honour of doing things fuss-free, here are some incredibly inventive recipes that are sure to restore the reputation of humble and easy-to-find ingredients. Be it meat and fish, vegetables, pasta, or legumes, we bet you’ll find something simply perfect for you and your loved ones.
Chickpea and Potato Casarecce Soup
This winter specialty embraces the starch-on-starch magic, while still maintaining a delicate flavour profile thanks mainly to the rosemary and bay leaf. A bit pasta dish, sort of a stew, mostly a hearty soup, you’ll want to prepare a big batch of this one-pot meal to serve steaming bowls of nourishing comfort all week long!
Stracciatella (Italian Egg Drop Soup)
This soup is a marvel of simplicity, an invitation to eat well and take care even when you’re short on time and the fridge is sort of empty. You can definitely prepare this comforting meal with store-bought broth, but to fully enjoy its subtle magic, you should really go with a nice homemade broth. Stracciatella is a beloved classic in many Italian families and we’re confident yours is about to fall in love with it!
This dish, made with basic shelf ingredients such as canned tuna, was supposedly invented by travelling salesmen, steering their carretta (cart) across the country. When midday came, they would pick through their stocks to whip up lunch. You know, a quick bite on the road!
Legumes have long been known as the “meat of the poor”, but trust us—there is no shortage of flavour here! One of the most iconic Italian dishes, pasta e fagioli is as comforting as it is filling.
Mezzi Rigatoni with Chicken Drumstick Ragù
It’s common knowledge that modest meats love a gentle simmer. And with slow cooking, creating scrumptious meals with only a few simple, budget-friendly ingredients is easy. For this one, we rely on the humble chicken drumstick, tomatoes, and basil to prepare a luscious, saucy dish that goes really well with our mezzi rigatoni. Dig in!
Part soup, part stew, ribollita is a filling Tuscan classic made with beans, vegetables, tomato sauce, day-old bread, and herbs. It’s basically the perfect dish to warm the hearts and bellies of everyone at the table, especially when there’s a nip in the air.
Polenta with Kale and Chickpea Ragù
Italian inventiveness has paved the way for an array of lip-smacking and inexpensive recipes, such as this vegetarian ragù prepared in bianco, meaning without tomatoes. It’s evidence that with a little imagination and flair, you can prepare knockout dishes with only a handful of ingredients. Here’s a new, easy, and hearty meal for your repertoire!
The most Italian of Italian soups. Normally without meatballs, I sometimes like to add small ones to make it even heartier. With chard, squash, and beans, it’s a nutritious and comforting soup fit for a meal.
Acquacotta translates to cooked water, but it also means Tuscany by the spoonful. This is another great example of cucina povera, where humble ingredients are transformed into a supremely satisfying meal.
Spaghetti aglio e olio is as simple as it gets! A recipe you want to have on hand for last-minute dinners and busy weeknight you can make from pantry staples. As long as you have a bag of pasta, extra virgin olive oil and garlic on hand, you’re good to go.
Simplicity at its best! Even when you think you have nothing in the pantry and fridge, think again. These minimal ingredients make a massive impact. Fresh and light in summer, but just as comforting in winter thanks to the richness of the lemon, this dish comes together in the blink of an eye. Enjoy it with a crisp glass of catarratto!
In this recipe, our spaghetti is coated in a simple sauce made from ripe tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, and a pinch of salt. It’s a perfect recipe for summer, when tomatoes are at their peak, but it can also be enjoyed year-round. A true burst of Mediterranean flavours, quick to prepare, and always delicious!
Rainbow Trout With Lentil Salad
Local, versatile, affordable, available all year long… rainbow trout is just an all-around good catch. For this simple and healthy recipe, we grill it for a perfectly crisp finish. Once that’s done, we only need a few roasted bell peppers for a sweet-tart touch before serving it with an easy, protein-packed lentil salad. Whether you go for fresh or frozen filets, this dish is sure to become a household staple.
Let’s get something straight once and for all: legumes are not boring at all. Need proof? These cheesy, tomatoey chickpeas cooked in the oven au gratin. We suggest you serve this dish smoking hot with a few crostoni as a side or appetizer. But you could also do what we do and eat the whole thing as a main! A low-cost, high-reward recipe that serves as a love letter to beans.
