Amici Dell' Ambrosia
Ambrosia is the nectar of the Gods, something I think of whenever I share a meal with my friends.

My group of friends, the people who have inspired this book, who I call collectively “The Amici Dell’Ambrosia,” have a casually affectionate relationship with each other, and most of them have known one another since childhood, or their student days. I came upon that name for them, the first time we ate a meal together and I saw that the occasion was a seamless melding of comradery and pleasure, and an everyday homage to life, food, and friendship.

I also learned from the meals with my friends that their appreciation of food comes not simply from what they eat, but the ritual of how they eat it. Food is a way of life in Italy, far more than mere sustenance, and sitting with family or friends at the table is the most important part of the day.                     

The Amici are all excellent cooks and gourmands, and after many shared meals with them, my survival instinct dictates that I follow the rule, “eat a little of a lot.” Dinner in their company begins around eight-thirty or nine in the evening, and could take two to three hours, so I have learned to pace my eating. The meal usually follows the classical menu of four or five courses that may include antipasti de mare, antipasti de terra, primo, secondo, insalata, formaggio, dolce, frutta, white and red wine, amaro, grappa or limoncello. 

At the table, there is never any reference to empty calories or nutrition. We always eat what is in season with fresh, high quality olive oil, often from their own trees. Surprisingly, people in general are slim and in good form. You might think that their bodies would be a testament to their love of food, but they are more a reinforcement of the soundness of the Mediterranean diet.

Here are some of the dishes you will find on their tables.