SALMON PICCATA

Entree - second course

8 oz Salmon fillet
1 tbsp salted capers, rinsed
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp butter
white flour, salt and pepper

Take away the skin from the salmon and pass it in the flour so that all sides are dusted with it.
Put a skillet over high heat with oil and sautee the salmon until all sides are golden and crisp.
Throw away the excess of oil and add butter, lemon juice, capers, salt, pepper and 3 tbsp of water, cover the skillet with a lid and cook on low heat for 8-9 minutes (cooking time depends on salmon thickness).
Serve immediately.
This recipe serves 1.

PASTA AND CHICKPEAS WITH SAVOY CABBAGE

First course - Full meal

9 oz Pasta (short is better)
12 oz boiled chickpeas
3/4 lb savoy cabbage, shredded
4 tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
3 tsp chives, chopped
1/4 tbsp hot red peppers flakes (optional)
1 clove of garlic (optional)

In a skillet warm 2 tbsp olive oil, add onions and sautee until soft (3-4 minutes), add cabbage and cook until soft too (3-4 more minutes), set aside.
Meanwhile bring a large pot of water to boil.
With a blender, puree half of the chickpeas, if desired, you can add the garlic (whole or chopped); set aside.
When the water boils, add salt and pasta; when it's "al dente", drain it and put it in the skillet over medium heat, add all the chickpeas (both pureed mand whole ones), drizzle with pepper flakes and mix well for a couple minutes, the time to get everything warm.
Divide into single serving bowls, drizzle with chives and 1 tsp olive oil each.

You can use canned chickpeas if you prefer, just remember to drain and rinse them in order to wash away the excess of salt.
If you don't find the savoy cabbage, you can use the green one.

RICE FRITTERS

Dessert

11 oz Rice
2 cups milk
2 cups water
1 orange
3 oz sugar
3 oz flour
1 lemon peel
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp liqueur (optional)
oil to fry

In a big pot put water, milk, sugar and salt and bring to a boil; cook the rice in it for 30 minutes at least. Set aside to cool.
Once it is at room temperature, add flour, the grated peel of both lemon and orange, the liqueur and the squeezed orange juice.
Mix well to combine all ingredients, it should look still liquid but thick.
Put a deep skillet with oil over high heat (when the oil is really hot, you can lower the heat to medium-high).
Try with only one fritter at the beginning, if it "melts" you need to add a little more flour and try again; when you reach your optimum consistency, fry them 6-8 each time, drain and put them over paper towel to absorb the extra oil.
Serve cold or slightly warm, dusted with sugar (or cocoa powder if you like it).