On the premiere of TODAY All Day's "Saucy," Anthony Contrino whips up his favorite al fresco meal for friends. First up, it's an easy antipasti of orange-rosemary marinated olives. For dinner, he demonstrates how to butterfly and pound pork chops for a perfectly crispy pork Milanese. To truly celebrate summer, the chef-turned-bartender whips up two classic Italian cocktails: a Negroni and an Americano.
This make-ahead appetizer is bursting with zesty, bright and earthy flavors. These olives pair beautifully with a range of cocktails — and they're not too filling so everyone will have plenty of room for dinner.
If I had to choose a meal to eat every day, it would be a toss-up between a pasta dish or this crispy pork recipe topped with fresh arugula in a tangy dressing. Pounding the pork super thin makes sure it cooks evenly and guarantees that crispy exterior.
Anyone (of drinking age) who loves Italian cuisine or culture has to try this classic cocktail. Called a Negroni, it's best known for its delicate balance of bitter, citrusy and sweet flavors. If you're not a big fan of gin, try making the Negroni's less aggressive cousin: the Americano.