Beet Salad by Ben

ben's beet salad

 

Driving around the Italian countryside, our stomachs begged us to stop to dine somewhere. Given it was Sunday and way past lunchtime, I had doubts we would find anything open; this is Italy, for God's sake.

At a few stops, we were greeted with a closed sign or someone to point us to a possibility on the other side of the mountain. An hour or so later, we drove up to Villa Inglese. The door was open, but the waiter told us they were closed. Looking at her watch and then at us, we got the subtle hint: we are not rule followers.

But, after a polite conversation, with Laurie who never meets a stranger, the waiter told us a simple pasta could be made and a bottle of wine served. Little did we know that we had stumbled upon a Michelin-worthy restaurant that wasn't fussy or fancy.

A simple pasta that is putting it lightly, a beet salad, cheese, homemade bread, and a deconstructed tarte Tatin in five bites but packed with flavor that each bite was worth ten.

I would drive over that mountain again and again.

But above all was the owner and chef Ben, a charming, easy laugh, fantastic storyteller, rich vocabulary, wine connoisseur, local folklore, and food enthusiast, he was the cherry on the cake!

 

In his kitchen, not far away from his garden and local producers,

Ben gathered these flavorful ingredients:

  • Finely sliced beets, like shards of amethyst marinated in
  • Red wine reduced to a shimmering syrup
  • Chestnuts, cut as thin as parchment scrolls
  • Pomegranate seeds, crimson gems glistening
  • Roquefort sheep cheese crumbled like fallen meteorites
  • Tiny cubed apples, a hinted sweetness
  • Fresh beet greens and added surprise.
  • Magic called a salad.

Villa Inglese, Ben owner and chef.



Comments

10 responses to “Beet Salad by Ben”

  1. I love beets. Thanks for sharing

  2. I checked out the link. If ever there was a place to stumble upon, this would be it!

  3. I really like the detail of the knife and fork set on the rock, it is a rock isn’t it?

  4. RebeccaNYC

    This reminds me of a trip I took with friends in Umbria. We had just arrived at our destination after hours (and hours) of travel and all the grocery stores were closed. There was only on restaurant in about a 45 minute drive and they were closed too. We happened to see someone and asked where there might possibly be some food. It turned out He was the chef of the closed restaurant, took one look at our desperate faces and invited us in. “I’ll cook for you!” And boy did he ever. I will never forget that wonderful meal. The generosity of Italians is not to be overststed.

  5. Here’s a Portuguese beet salad recipe that’s a hybrid of the one above and your beloved orange-and-onion salad: http://www.inolongerlikechocolates.com/21-10_calendar_oct.htm

  6. Angela Napolitano

    We’ve been caught in the same situation in the south of Italy on a Sunday! We also found a restaurant who took pity on our hungry selves. Simple fare in Italy is a true masterpiece!!! So glad you found the Italian hospitality. They truly cannot resist feeding you!

  7. Jennifer Phillipps

    Well you did stumble onto a foodie gem, looked at his site in English and his recipes and blog and wowee. If only Italy was not quite so far from NZ….but another day… You seem to have had a wonderful tour in Italy. Cheers Jennie, NZ

  8. Annafromindiana

    Ohhh, how beautifully descriptive is your writing!! You are gifted — when will you write your cookbook—or any book —-please, please, please?!

  9. What a lovely surprise. These little happenstances make life sweet. I hope your post brings many people to his door to hear his stories and eat his wonderful food.

  10. What a treat! I am so glad Ben opened his kitchen for you.

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