Take no Hostages, leave no Witnesses

If we resolve to give up Eating, Smoking, Drinking and Loving, we don't actually live longer......IT JUST SEEMS A LOT LONGER.

Ask the Italians. They are already complaining that their lives are way too short. Notwithstanding that they live beyond 70 and have the least incidence of Heart and Stress related ailments. Maybe its the Garlic or the Olive Oil or the Wine or just that THEY are the Mafia and it is Others who have to run scared of their lives from the Italians.

Italians are uniquely passionate and desperately impatient. They have even named their car to honor this trait. " Frenzied Italian at A Traffic-light " aka FIAT! They say give an Italian a Laundry list and he will set it to Music. Their lazy impatience and burning passion shows in the Food which I have savored and have also heard that it shows in the way they make love, which I have not.

Italians have a very special and unique way of pronouncing words especially when it comes to their Culinary creations. While we may not be able to pronounce Pizza or Manicotti or Mozzarella or Bruschetta as well as the Italians do, we can certainly endeavour to make it as well as they do. No harm in trying. I tried my hand at making Bruschetta at the risk of inviting the wrath of the Mafia.

INGREDIENTS : 4 Ripe Tomatoes, 4 Cloves of Garlic Minced, 1 Tbsp Olive Oil, 1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar, 6-8 fresh Basil leaves chopped, Salt, freshly ground Black Pepper to taste, 1/4th cup Olive oil and 1 Baguette French bread.

DIRECTIONS : Prepare Tomatoes first. Chop them by hand to give it the authentic imperfect home-style look and put it in a Bowl along with Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar and 1 Tbsp Olive Oil. Add chopped Basil, Salt and Pepper and mix.

Set the Oven to preheat (if no Oven the just use the Pan to semi toast the bread). Slice the Baguette in diagonal 1/2 inch slices, coat one side of the slices with olive oil and place in the oven, olive oil side down until the top begins to turn golden brown.

Remove the bread from the Oven, align the slices on a serving Platter and layer each slice with the Tomato topping just before serving.

For Spice lovers, improvise with the Sauce. Grind dry red chillies with olive Oil and Vinegar. Add chopped Cilantro or Coriander for colour and body. Add Salt to Taste. You can even serve Cottage Cheese with it on the side.

To give it the final masterstroke of Italian Mafioso authenticity, make sure that there are no witnesses. Not while making food their way and definitely not when making love they way they do! Buon Appetito:)