The market & the pantry: a few simple dishes

It was a revelation to me when, years ago, I learned about the simplicity of everyday Italian cooking. Ingredients are disarmingly few, often both seasonal and local. The cooking, if required at all, is quick. If you have some pasta, good olive oil, garlic, chilli and aromatic herbs in your pantry, or some bread (even if not fresh), and some tomatoes or any other vegetable at the bottom of your fridge, you can already make a meal.