We took Daugther Clelia down to the beach, where she's spending a week with her grandparents -- good for her and good for us. And on Sunday before coming home we enjoyed a huge platter of mixed fried fish with an abundance of lemon wedges. Small fry, anchovies, totani (baby octopus), calamari, shrimp and more.

Recipes:

• Fried Calamari: The Video
• Basic Instructions for Frying Just About Any Fish
• Merluzzo Dorato, Fried Cod: Or any other larger whitefish fillets. Even Baccalà!

Why? Because with respect to roasting, stewing, or even boiling frying is quicker, and therefore heats the kitchen less. Properly cooked fried foods are also light, and can be wonderfully refreshing too. While many areas of Italy are known for their fritti misti, mixed fried food meals, fried foods are also excellent antipasti and party foods. Some examples of the latter:

• Mozzarella Fritta, Fried Mozzarella: A delight!
• Isernia's Fried Calzoni, stuffed with a savory ricotta filling
• Arancini di Riso, Sicily's golden orbs

And some main course dishes:

• Fried cod, with a tasty egg-and-lemon sauce
• Cotoletta alla Milanese, a breaded veal cutlet. Perfect with lots of lemon and a green salad.
• Pollo Fritto, fried chicken: A universal dish.