As the weather grows warmer, bene's favorite food expert, Mimmo Migliulo, looks forward to putting his sailboat back in the New York waters. But first, he will check on his olive groves in Puglia ("just to make sure everything is on track"). Along the way, he'll enjoy spring's lighter fare—fish, salad and a hint of sweetness.
MIMMO'S PICKS:
BUON ITALIA SOLID TUNA in Sicilian olive oil. "Mediterranean bluefin tuna caught by Sicilian fisherman has a strong flavor and a tender texture. The supermarket water-packed white albacore is flavorless." Make tuna salad Mimmo-style by mixing the tuna with diced tomatoes, onions and freshly chopped oregano. ($11.50 for a 10-oz jar)
ACETO DI BAROLO from Piedmont. Magliulo happily skips the balsamic for this flavorful vinegar: "Made from nebbiolo grapes, it has a full-bodied taste and distinctive bite without the high acidity of most vinegar. Along with extra virgin olive oil and a few shakes of salt, aceto di barolo is perfect on a green salad." ($33.40 for half a liter)
AGRIMONTANA'S CONFETTURA EXTRA DI AMARENE. "You can actually taste the wild sour cherries in this marmalade because they aren't treated with sugar or preservatives." Decidedly not a "sweets guy," Magliulo loves it spread on toast, which he dips in milk for breakfast. ($5.50 for a 12-oz. jar)
Call 212-633-9090 or visit www.buonitalia.com. Bene Club members can also receive baskets of Buon Italia foods throughout the year. Log onto www.benemag.com to join.
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