Italian Food is a Family Affair

If you are looking to get lucky by obtaining your Italian neighbor's fine pasta sauce recipe you better think again, as Italian food is a family affair. There are very few things that will slip out of the lips of an Italian cook, when it comes to recipes or food preparations. The Italians take their food very seriously, and this means that they are more than willing to sit on a recipe and its ingredients for however long it takes to keep it out of prying eyes. The Italians pride themselves of family recipes, and they do not want you meddling in their recipe books.

The Neighbor Has Different Sauce

When it comes to anything to do with the culinary circuit, Italian food is a family affair. Two neighbors side by side from the same region in Italy can actually have pasta sauces that are so totally different that you would mistake the two sauces as regional differences not household mixes. This is because each family has its own thing, and they are not willing to share what they are doing to make each sauce unique. This is great for those that get to experiment with the different family recipes, yet it is very hard to please everyone that is looking to experience as much as possible. There are many subtle differences that can be picked out of sauces from different families, and when you live among this type of setting you will have no problems picking out the extra or hidden ingredient.

Global Yet Still Secret

Everywhere you go today you are going to find small fine Italian restaurants. Whether they are a chain or a small one spot family affair, the food from this eatery is closed off to the public as far as the recipe is concerned. You will not find an open book on how food is prepared from the Italians, as they see no reason to share with anyone outside of their family. This is nothing to take offence over, rather it is something to admire as you can clearly see that their cooking is very important to them. Taking the time to see what the full is all about will clearly demonstrate to you why Italian food is a family affair. Keeping it in the family, allows for many possibilities when it comes to marketing.

Pride Not Competition

Italian food is a family affair, and this means that it has nothing to do with competition between families; it actually has everything to do with pride. These families have lived off of these recipes for centuries, and each generation has added a little to the pot, to make it what it is today. The Italians do not look at this as a race to the best family sauce, yet don't let them fool you they would be more than happy to gloat if need be. The best food is the food that is made with appreciation for the diners. Italian food is made for the love of the food itself.

Italian Food Has Multiple Influences

When it comes to Italian food, you need to understand that it was not just the Italians that shaped the way the food tastes or looks. There is a great deal of other influences that have molded the Italian food that we know today, and if you really look hard enough you can actually see some of the other countries handy work and foot prints on the cultures of Italy. The Greeks being close and convenient neighbors have had a hand in the Italian food scene, and while they have not always gotten along throughout history the Italians and Greeks have shared many recipes and made them better. The same can be aid for the Persians as well, as Arabs moved into the regions within Italy and left their mark as well.

Sea Food Is A New Development

While the Italians have an abundance of coastlines the Italian food scene early on did not actually include seafood as a prime choice. It took the Greeks to show the Italians that seafood is plentiful and that you can actually make magnificent dishes with the likes of crustaceans and finned fish. There is a major Italian fish industry today, and it is most evident by the amount of people that you find at the local fish markets on Saturday mornings. The Greeks introduced the Italians to fish recipes with white sauces and fine pastas, and the country of Italy embraced and practically adopted this fare as its own. Today, you will find many great Italian eateries that actually use seafood as their prime meal of choice and the sales on seafood plates go through the roof.

The Grain That Changed A Culture

If you were to look at what actually changed the culture of Italy the most in regards to Italian food, it would have to be the introduction of rice by the Arabs. When the Arabs made their way to Italy, they brought with them a grain now known as rice. This was brought to Italy through Spain, and Greece and actually did quite well in Italy when it settled. The land in Italy was well equipped to grow rice in crops, as it called for low flat land that was close to great water sources. Over the years the Italians used the rice to forge some of their most well recognized recipes available today. And when you dine on Italian in a restaurant, you will notice many dishes that will be either served with rice as the main course or with the rice on the side.

There Is No Denying The Grand Scope Of The Cuisine

When it comes right down to it, there is no denying the grand scope of fine Italian food. Italian restaurants can be found in just about every major city in the world today, and this speaks volumes to the quality and appreciation of the food that the Italians enjoy on a daily basis. You will be hard pressed to find a dish in the Italian menu that will not raise an eyebrow and make you curious to try.

Low-Carb Italian Food

While many people love Italian food, those that are trying to stick to a low-carb diet often shy away from it. no wonder, with many meals centering on large amounts of pasta and bread. However, if you are looking for low-carb Italian foods then there are some to be found. Many Italian meals center on fresh veggies, olive oil, and herbs and are just as delicious as pasta and pizza. Here is a look at just some of the Italian foods you can try while sticking to your low-carb diet.

Starters And Appetizers

If you are looking for low-carb Italian food, one of the first places to look for it is in the antipasto course. Antipasto, Italian for "before the meal" includes numerous starters and appetizers, but many of these foods could work as a meal on their own. One example is a tray of Italian cold cuts and cheeses. Many marinated and pickled vegetables are also low-carb. Stuffed tomatoes and peppers, deviled eggs, and salads all work well as low-carb appetizers. Just avoid any antipasto items that involve bread or pasta. You may also need to pay attention to dips and salad dressings to make sure that they are not high in carbs as well. A simple dressing made of balsamic vinegar and olive oil is low-carb and delicious.

Salads

Italian salads are another great low-carb Italian food. You will have to use caution to avoid salads that use pasta and bread, but with some careful planning you can find many delicious alternatives. You can eat Italian salad as a meal of its own or as a side dish. Consider fennel and orange salad from Sicily for a unique taste.

Grilled peppers and olives also make great additions, as do many of the Italian cheeses. Even regular vegetables can become spectacular dishes when combined with Italian herbs and seasonings. You can easily make up your own low-carb meal by serving a large quantity of vegetables with some baked or grilled fish.

Soup And Stew

Italian soups and stews are often hearty enough to eat as a meal on their own, or served alongside a fresh salad. For low-carb Italian food, look for soups that are full of fresh vegetables and avoid those that are laden with pastas. Broccoli soup is one good option, as is tomato and basil soup. For protein you can often find soups that include seafood and other meats, some unusual like rabbit. Beans, chickpeas, and lentils can also be good sources of protein, but if you are on a very low-carb diet you will want to avoid these as well.

Frittatas

If you are looking for a substitute for bread and/or a way to use up last night's vegetables, frittatas are the way to go. Frittatas are an Italian version of the omelet, and are often cut into wedges for serving. They can be flavored with any number of ingredients, including vegetables, herbs, and salami or chicken.

Dessert

When you are looking for low-carb Italian food, there is no reason to skip dessert! Fruit is a common choice, whether baked or served fresh in a salad. The popular gelato is another low-carb dessert that you can indulge in. You will find that many Italian desserts are either naturally low-carb or can be adapted to your new diet.

Authentic Italian Food and Deserts

Italy has its reputation through a lot of things, from sports cars and interior design, but for all that Italian cuisine has earned a nationally renowned. Of course, Italian national football team won the 2006 World Cup, but Italian cuisine continues to win the hearts of millions of people every day. It was observed that Italian cuisine is the most popular type of food when it comes to eating out. This is not just in Italy moderately the world at large is tending towards Italian food for diverse reasons.

The country initiating long, thin shape has a kitchen that is quite unlike anything that you will be able to find in the world. To the preponderance of the comparatively unaware public pizza and pasta happen to be the symbol of Italian cuisine. It is true that pizza in Naples is the largest consumer Italian food together with different types of pasta in the world, but the Italian cuisine goes much deeper than these two items. The cuisine of Italy is rich in foods and desserts. The amount of diversity that you will be able to find in the kitchen of the country is overwhelming. Not every region contributes only with its special foods and desserts instead have their ways of cooking the same as well. For this reason you will find many different regional varieties of pasta in Italy.

When you look at the history of the country, we see that for the greater part of it the country was divided into separate regional states. Moreover, many parts of the country were inhibited by foreigners like the French. In 1861 the county was united and the Italian cuisine we know today was first formalized. So we see that it contains a lot of foreign influences in terms of ingredients that are used and the way food is prepared.

The Toe on the map of Italy is the Calabria region. This region is famous for its delicious spicy salami. Naples is a city famous for introducing the world to pizza and mozzarella. The region is also famous for sfogliattele which is a popular dessert voice. These are basically filled Italian pastry. The areas of northern Italy, is credited with producing some of the most amazing food and dessert items that are part of the kitchen. The popular rice dish risotto originates from the Northern areas of Lombardy and Piedmont. Some of the other original elements of the area are the Parmesan cheese, tortellini, mortadella, lasagne, meat sauce and balsamic vinegar.

The thin crust pizzas have originated from Rome, where they used sheep offal, as the main ingredients. Sardinia is credited with feta cheese in which Sicily has a number of delicious seafood items to his credit. Gelato ice cream and granite is a delightful semi-frozen dessert from the area as well. Everybody identifies that Italian food is some of the very best in the world. Evidently, many people have never experienced the various regional dishes that are not as common as the traditional spaghetti or lasagna. If you are looking for something truly wonderful, try some of the other regional dishes that are native to Italy the next time you visit your favorite Italian restaurant.

Healthy Italian Food

Many people love Italian food, and Italian eateries have sprung up across the country. However, if you are looking for healthy Italian food, you may want to think twice about eating. While many people consider Italian food to be healthy, the dishes served at your favorite restaurant may not be.

The Problem

Like fettuccine Alfredo? It has as much saturated fat as three pints of full fat ice cream. Eggplant parmigiana is about as healthy as eating five fried egg rolls and that appetizer of fried calamari? It has more cholesterol than an omelet made with four eggs. Healthy Italian food is hard to find in the U.S. In southern Italy, the diet used to be comprised mostly of pasta, bread, vegetables, and other healthy foods, and that part of the country had fewer cases of heart disease, cancers, and obesity. Meat and cheese are used sparingly in the south. In the north, the use of meat and cheese is more common, as it is in the United States as well, and so are the rates of heart disease and other ailments.

How Pasta Helps

Pasta helps create healthy Italian food because it cuts down on the amount of fat in the meal. If the meal is largely pasta, you will have no problem staying below the 30% of calories coming from fat. Of course this assumes that you are staying away from cream and cheese based sauces like Alfredo, and sticking to tomato sauce. Even most meat sauces are ok to eat. This is also true for saturated fat, again assuming that you stay away from the cream and cheese based sauces. So ordering an order of spaghetti with tomato sauce is much healthier than other alternatives.

Lacking Veggies

While you can easily go with lower fat entrees at Italian restaurants, finding healthy Italian foods is more difficult than that. Many entrees are very high in sodium. Another concern is the lack of vegetables at Italian restaurants. Many dishes do not come with veggies on the side, or if they do it is a small amount and drenched in butter. A salad may help, but if you go for ordinary Italian dressing you are getting a lot of fat.

Making It Healthier

Finding healthy Italian food is easier if you know what to look for. Below are some of the better food choices. However, keep in mind that an actual portion size may be much less than what the restaurant actually serves - many Italian eateries pride themselves in their mega platters. Adding extras, such as Parmesan cheese, will affect your total numbers.

o Main dishes: Go for meatless marinara or a clam sauce. Avoid creamy sauces like Alfredo. If you have meatballs, ask for tomato sauce instead of meat sauce. Watch out for the amount of oil and butter in a dish, and skip cheese toppings.

o Olive Garden: One of the most popular Italian restaurants in the country, but it can be difficult to get the exact nutrition information. Take advantage of the unlimited salad; just ask for half the dressing. Again, go for grilled dishes over fried and avoid the cheese and butter sauces.

o Appetizers: Garlic bread is one of the big problems when trying to order healthy Italian food. Order plain bread instead, skip the fried calamari, and share appetizers with the entire table.

Italian Food - Friuli Venezia Giulia

The preconceived notion that Italian food consists of about fifteen dishes found at the Italian food joints in the U.S is false. In fact, Italian food has a wide variety and varies greatly across the country. The different regional cuisines found in Italy take cues from surrounding nations and spice it up with a lit of bit of local creativity to provide the inimitable Italian cuisine. A great example of the fore-said is the cuisine from the region of Fruili-Venezia Giulia.

The region has a common border with the formerly Soviet nation of Yugoslavia, and has a lot of customs and traditions (including culinary) in common. The Italian food from this region has a strong Austrian, Hungarian, Croatian, and Slovenian influence. The beer halls in this region show the most apparent influence. Dishes such as Goulash and Viennese sausage are available here, goulash which originally was a Hungarian dish, acquired the distinct Italian taste from this area and can be found in restaurants in and outside of Italy. The dish is very popular in this area, and constitutes a thick beef stew and vegetables available locally such as red peppers and onions. It is thick and the seasoning is done with paprika, and is usually served along with pasta. Another popular dish at the local beer halls is the Bohemian hare.

Pork is the commonly used meat here. It is essential for tourists visiting this region to try the San Daniele del Friuli hams. The hams are the staple food of the locals. The entire region is well known for its sausages and bacon. In fact the local dish named jota which is unique to this area is a dish made with bacon and beans. The pork that is available here is spicy and usually comes off as a shock to the foreigners and tourists not accustomed to this fiery brand of Italian cooking. The pork is usually cooked on a open hearth. It is a part of many dishes.

A lot of other foods are specific to this area. Italian food has a sweeter side to it, an example of it being strudel. A lot of desserts here are based on flour and strudel is the most common. Another common dish that is found in this region is polenta. It constitutes boiled cornmeal and forms a part of the staple diet of this region, and can be served along with most types of Italian cuisine, including cheese and meat dishes. It is very similar to the American grit.

Another Italian staple food that deserves a mention from this region is cheese. The Montasio cheese which is famous the world over comes from this area. If you like Italian cuisine with lot of cheese in it, instead of mozzarella, then this is definitely the area for you. The last dish that requires mention is the brovada. This dish is very unique to this region, and can simply be put as turnips preserved in marc. It is certainly not a dish that most people associate with Italian cuisine, but it definitely is a dish that is very unique to Italy, due to which it forms an very important part of Italian cuisine. The next time you decide to visit a Italian restaurant, try to experiment with the different regional cuisines on offer. Branching out is the key words here.

Italian Food - Is It High or Low Calorie? You May Be Surprised - Read On

It seems lately that among the health food circles Italian food has been given a bad reputation. With the advent of Atkins many former Italian food fans have steered clear of the food because of the pasta that is being used. However, the idea that pastas going to make you fat is pretty much unfounded. A diet of Italian food, especially from the Mediterranean areas is actually very healthy and will keep you looking and feeling great as long as you know which Italian foods to eat and how to prepare them.

A great example of the fact that Italian food will not make you fat is in Sophia Loren. She told the world in her book that she grew up on spaghetti and ate it daily. She says that it is not the pasta that makes you fat; it's what you put on top of it. People who gain weight eating Italian food typically do so not because of the pasta, but because of creamy sauces like Alfredo sauce and because they eat large portions. Italian food from the Mediterranean doesn't rely on the rich, thick sauces and uses olive oil instead of butter, making it very healthy.

It all starts with the ingredients you keep. For good, healthy food you want to make sure you stock the kitchen with quality pasta, olive oil, garlic, onions, lean meat, fish, and seafood. For seasoning you will want some herbs like basil, oregano, and parsley. You'll want to stay away from a lot of cheese and perhaps only get a little Parmesan cheese to top your favorite dishes. The creamy and cheesy dishes are the ones you're going to want to stay away from in order to keep a healthy diet.

There are many different light meals you can prepare with these simple ingredients. Here is one that will start you off, an Italian food classic, pasta with tomato sauce. You can use any type of pasta you want and you might want to try livening it up with variety. Italian food is not just spaghetti noodles. Boil the pasta in water with salt. Make sure not to overcook the pasta. You want it to be firm, yet tender. The most common mistake made in making Italian food is making mushy pasta. For the sauce simply chop up some garlic, an onion, and some tomatoes. Take a tablespoon of your quality olive oil and saute both the garlic and onions until they are soft. Once that is done add the tomatoes and cook until all the ingredients are blended together well. To top it off add your favorite herbs such as parsley, oregano, or basil. Try different combinations of herbs, there is no definitive herbs for Italian food so experiment and give your sauce your own signature flavor.

You can serve this sauce, put it over your hot pasta and if you want put a little sprinkle of Parmesan on it that is ok too. This is a very simple dish that will stand on its own and you will not need to eat bread or anything else with it. This is a great example of how healthy should be, light and fresh.

You can feel free to try different variations on this recipe. Italian food is full of a variety of pastas and recipes that can keep you satisfied and healthy as long as you stay away from the heavy sauces and creams.

Learn to Make Italian Food

Italian food has long been amongst the most popular food in the world. Everyday people all over the world sit down to meals of fresh Italian that tastes so good it's hard to imagine making it yourself.

However, there are some people who are up to the challenge of learning to make quality Italian food. For some it is not just enough to enjoy food from Italy, they need to create it. There are many options today for learning to cook Italian. Some people live in areas where there are no Italian food cooking classes. Others may feel too self conscious in order to go to a class. But there is an option for everyone that wants to learn to cook whether they want to become a world class chef or if they just want to not be intimidated by a pot of boiling water and a handful of spaghetti. The great thing about Italian food is that it has great dishes that are simple to make for the beginner and complex dishes that take world class chefs years to master. There really is something for everyone.

The first option to learn to cook Italian meals is cooking classes or cooking school. If you want to become a professional chef, then you will want to attend an accredited cooking school. There are many different culinary institutes in the United States and around the world that can help you specialize in Italian food. Research the different options and decide which will be best for you and will help you meet your goals. Some things to consider are tuition and location. You can attend school abroad or in your local area. If you want to start work right away after graduation at an Italian restaurant, then see what kind of help the different schools give in job placement after graduation.

Going to school to become a professional chef is very challenging but in the end it is extremely rewarding to know that you can craft some of the finest food in the world. For those not wanting to necessarily become professionals, you can look into local cooking schools or community centers that offer lessons in cooking Italian. You can learn to make specific regional food or just take a few classes to teach you how to cook a meal for a special occasion to impress friends or family.

Another great option in todays world is to learn how to cook Italian right from home. Today it is possible to take classes in cooking off of the internet. This is a great option for people who are self conscious or like to take things at their own speed in a comfortable environment. There are both paid and free cooking classes on line that can help you with your Italian food skills. Research the different programs available and see what is right for you. Be sure to also check out reviews of on line programs and see if previous students feel that they really learned how to cook Italian food from the course.

You can never be too careful on line, but once you find a school that you like that has good reviews, don't hesitate to jump right in. Before long you'll cooking up fabulous food dishes that previously seemed impossible.

Italian Food On A Date - The Way To The Heart Is Through Italian Food

If you wish to have a wonderful time with your date in the town, then a Italian restaurant is the best place to go to. Italian foods are always romantic and below are some pointers to pick a fine restaurant.

It is important to choose the place serving authentic Italian food; else your date might end up looking cheap. How can you know which is authentic? Just look at your menu; whenever you are able to understand it, then it's not really authentic. If you are seeking for Italian foods rather than just pizza and spaghetti, you may as well speak to a few people who are working at the restaurant. While I'm seeking a good Italian food experience I'll unquestionably need the people making the food to speak more Italian rather than English. You will be able to bet that the dishes will be more American than Italian, if you find the restaurant filled with American ambience.

When you have found a restaurant with a fine menu, next try and understand it. Moreover you cannot make a good first impression if your order something and then later being surprised to find out what it really is when it arrives at the table. Decide what to choose in advance and know the proper pronunciation. Make sure to find out about your date's likes when it comes to Italian food. You can impress your date if you are reading and selecting the dishes from the menu card like an Italian expert.

Italian food isn't the same without a fine wine to go along side it. Almost all good Italian food restaurants have a nice choice of wine. Wine is necessary for a romantic date. Find out what wine might go best with the food which you're ordering. Do not be afraid to ask the waiter, that's what they're there for. At the same time, be aware, since they know it's very easy to raise your bill with expensive wine. Since Italian food is best to be experienced with good wine, take your time to be sure that you are having a fine wine for your food and your budget.

Now your Italian food and then wine are done with, the next matter is to look for a restaurant with good atmosphere. There are actually two ways to do this. The first thing is with more traditional good dining restaurant with dim lighting and perhaps some slow romantic music in your background. This will be an excellent choice. At the same time, the best Italian food might be come up at the humble restaurants with a home feel about it. This might be equally romantic till the restaurant is not getting very crowded. There you will be able to enjoy not just good Italian food, but will also have a memorable experience of your date. If the eating house does not have candles or flowers on your table you might add the romantic touch by bringing your own candles and roses in order to decorate your table. And your date will really get impressed with your step on seeing that your table is clearly better than others.

Following the above steps might lead to a fantabulous Italian food experience for both of you. Find the perfect restaurant and you'll be sure to experience a romantic

America Loves Italian Food

Anyone that loves to dine on fine food obviously knows just how special a great Italian meal is, and this is what has started a craze where America loves Italian food. There are so many wonderful dishes that the Italians make, that it can be very difficult for you to actually pinpoint which one would be your favorite. Simple to complex can be the statement made about the Italian pasta meals today, and that does nothing for those that are looking for a great noodle dish. To have so many choices, it makes it very hard to choose, and you never want to miss out on something you have not tried before.

Simple Spaghetti

America loves Italian food, and one of the most darling dishes for American all over would have to be the simple spaghetti dish. Whatever way you have it, spaghetti is a very simple dish and you can always count on it to please. There are various forms of pasta that can be used for spaghetti, but the basic premise of the dish does not change. A long fine noodle smothered within a fine tomato sauce. With the inclusion of tomatoes and or other fine vegetables to a sauce, you can change the taste of it dramatically. This is pretty much what most people love about spaghetti, in that it can be so different yet so similar at the same time. There really are not tricks to making great spaghetti, and if you are daring enough you have the chance to do something unique with it to make it your own.

Pizza

Pizza is something that has basically shaped the fact that Americans love Italian food, and this dish has found its way into the hearts of more Americans that can be recorded. There are literally hundreds of different ways that you can enjoy pizza, and this Italian pie stretches from coast to coast in the USA and Canada. Each region feels that their version of this fine Italian fare is the best, while the Italians themselves actually know the truth. It is their pizza that is king, and you would be hard pressed to find someone that would argue the fact. Pizza is a simple food yet it is very filling, and it can be healthy as well. With the introduction of many different vegetables and meats you are basically getting many important nutrients within one sitting.

Even Fancy Foods

Americans love Italian food and this even includes the foods that many would consider very fancy. Some of the most posh Italian restaurants in North America offer foods from the native land, many of which are very difficult to make and include some hard to obtain ingredients. This makes the dish expensive and by all accounts fancy. The American culture is not phased by the cost or the complexity of these dishes, as they are actually fascinated and in love with the food as a whole.

How to Find the Best Italian Food Restaurants

In addition to Italian food being delicious, Italian restaurants are usually romantic. When you picture sitting in a charming, cozy restaurant with a violin player serenading you, what do you think about? The best food in the world is what you think about! Italian food is romance food and most Italian restaurants play up on that romantic feel.

One such place in Chicago that is among the most romantic of Italian restaurants is called the Italian Village. This restaurant is a staple in the Windy City and is a must visit if you are ever in the Midwest. It features three different restaurants. The upstairs is very romantic with private dining booths and a mural painted ceiling. You will feel as though you are dining under the stars in Venice. The upstairs restaurant is mostly Southern Italian cuisine.

The entry level restaurant features more of a modern cuisine and so is the decor. And the downstairs restaurant features more traditional Northern Italian food. No matter what type of food you like, you can find it at the Italian Village.

As for chain restaurants, Buca di Beppo is one of the most popular of all Italian restaurants in the United States. This large chain has the best Southern Italian cuisine around. Newcomers to Bucas, as it is known, are treated with a tour of the kitchen, where there is a special booth reserved for VIP guests. Anyone can reserve this booth and eat in the kitchen if you call ahead of time.

Each room has a theme and is decorated with the type of gaudy decor that used to adorn most of the houses of my relatives. However, in Bucas, it is charming and brings back memories for anyone who is of Italian descent. The atmosphere in Bucas is loud, lively and fun and the service is usually excellent.

You can get such dishes as fried Calamari, Bruschetta, Veal Parmesian, Ravioli, Spaghetti, Chicken Marsala and others. The list of entrees and appetizers is vast, but be sure to only order one or two as their portions are huge. You normally have plenty of Italian delights to take home.

Every town has their own Italian food restaurants that are popular. Some Italian establishments are owned by family and some are chains. Check them out and try the different types of Italian cuisine and you will soon find your favourite.

Pizza is not considered to be Italian food. Pizza is an American invention. However, you can find food similar to pizza in many authentic Italian restaurants. The majority of Italian restaurants have their own way of making sauce and will feature either Northern or Southern cuisine. Some Italian food restaurants will feature a little bit of both to please all palates.

Italian food is a way of Life so be sure to enjoy to the maximum. My wife is Italian and so we are spoilt with great Italian cuisine in our family!

Have and enjoy excellent Italian cuisine. It is amongst the finest in the world.

My best

Martin Jeszke

www.italianfoodbestcuisine.com

What Makes Good Italian Food and a Great Italian Restaurant?

What makes good Italian food and a great Italian restaurant? This is what I think.

Italy has a wonderful tradition of fine food. Italian food's importance to Italian culture cannot be overstated. It is one of the central elements, and why shouldn't it be? Think about Italy's geography for a second:

It runs a long way from north to south. Therefore, it has a wide array of growing seasons and soil types. This means a rich diversity of ingredients for food.
It is a peninsula, meaning it is nearly surrounded by the sea but also connected to the great Eurasian land mass. There is an abundance of fresh seafood and foreign ingredients from neighboring lands.
It sits between Europe and Africa in the Mediterranean. All Mediterranean cultures have excellent food traditions from North Africa to Lebanon and Israel, France, Greece, Spain and, of course, Italy.

When you think of noodles and pasta, you probably think of Italy, but those wonderful inventions came to Italy from China thanks to Marco Polo. It tells you a lot about Italian food culture that something so basic became associated with Italy even though it did not originate there.

Anyway, food is a key element of Italian culture. Therefore, the food is the most important part of the restaurant. Of course, a great Italian restaurant will have a great wine list, a clean and elegant decor, and wonderful service, but a good Italian restaurant can get by on great food alone, even if they have a crummy wine list, poor service, and a dingy decoration scheme.

By the way, if you leave an "Italian" restaurant hungry, it's definitely not authentic. A white tablecloth and high bill do not a great bistro make. Frankly, I can't stand those fancy Italian restaurants in Manhattan that charge you $400 for a morsel that makes you want to stop for a slice of pizza on the way home. A great Italian ristorante will leave you full, not stuffed, but full.

The second aspect of a great Italian restaurant is the service. The service will be warm and professional, but not overly friendly. After the orders are taken and the meal gets rolling, the service should be nearly invisible. Run -- don't walk -- from any Italian restaurant where the waitperson address the table like this:

"How you guys doin' tonight?" when ladies are seated at the table. This is most un-Italian of them. An Italian would never call a woman "guy." Even in spaghetti-and-meatballs-type places, the waiter might say, "How is everyone this evening?" The won't tarry with small talk in the white-tablecloth places, not the good ones, anyway. It is all about the meal and your comfort.

The third aspect of a great Italian restaurant is the ambiance. I don't know what it is, but Italians seem to be able to create a wonderful atmosphere anywhere. I have eaten at places in strip malls in the suburbs of Denver -- as un-romantic a setting as there is -- that come close to great. A truly outstanding Italian restaurant will just have a certain feeling from the minute you walk in the door, a warmth and a glow that can't really be described.

So the priorities are food first, service second, and a ambiance third. If all three are met, you have found a great Italian restaurant.

Italian Food Has Its Own Fan Club

One of the first things that you will notice about Italian food is that it seems to have its own fan club. There are countless thousands of people that enjoy Italian food on a weekly basis, and funny enough many of them are not even Italian. This is because Italian food is something that can actually please just about everyone today. There is something for those that are not particularly keen on pasta dishes, and there is something for those that have a love for seafood. Whatever you are in the mood for, you can bet that the Italians have made a recipe for it.

Small Family Affair Or Large Five Star Restaurant

It really does not matter where you plan on enjoying your Italian food, as it will always please those that choose to dine on it. Whether you are going with a small family run eatery, or a large scale 5 star Italian restaurants the fact is you are looking for great Italian food. When you decide to dine Italian you can bet one thing for sure, and that is that you will leave the establishment full and satisfied. This is because the Italians know how to feed the diners that eat their food, and this is something that stemmed all the way back to when the chef was dining at their own home. Eating Italian is almost a cultural event in its own right, and if you are looking to enjoy fine food to quench your fan desire then look no further than a great plate of baked Ziti at your local Italian eatery.

A Shift In Cultural Attention

There are very few things in life that can be categorized as fan favorites quite like Italian food can, and if you are a fan you are a fan for life. A shift in cultural attention has brought this fine food to many other parts of the world, that otherwise would not have had the pleasure of knowing what Italian food actually tastes like. Many smaller countries worldwide, have now experienced what a great spaghetti dinner or divine lasagna actually tastes like. From this point on, there is no turning back, and you are now seeing Italian restaurants popping up in locations that were otherwise unlikely before. Even places such as the Middle East are experiencing this Italian food frenzy, and conveniently enough many of the fine Italian foods that we are so familiar with actually had a helping hand from regions in the Middle East.

No Apologies Needed

There are no apologies needed when it comes to the fan appreciation that comes with enjoying fine Italian food. You do not have to feel bad about enjoying this type of food, as you are not the first and surely will not be the last. Finding what you enjoy most about this wonderful culinary culture will be the biggest hurdle to overcome, as there is so many dishes to try you may run out of nights to try them in.

Excellent Italian Food Breaches the World Boarders

If you are looking for a great meal and you do not know where to go, you might want to remember that excellent Italian food breaches the world boarders and it can be found everywhere now. Whether you live in New York or Bombay, Italian food can be found in fantastic restaurants in your local area and they will always be something that you have an option for when it comes to fine dining. Italian food is a cuisine choice that is very popular throughout the world today, and you will find many cultures other then Italian actually really enjoying what the Italians has to offer in regards to food.

Made To Order

Many people that look to go out and dine on fine food would not be disappointed with excellent Italian food, and this food can be found in many places today. Some of the largest cities in the world have several different Italian restaurants available for diners to enjoy great food. The Mediterranean lifestyle is something that many people are actually quite familiar with, as this also includes Spanish and Greek foods that are very similar to what the Italians have to offer. These great restaurants in the larger cities can offer some of the most wonderful recipes to the diner, many of which are actually chef specialties. If you want the chef to do something specific, you could try and ask them prior to dining at the restaurant. This is when you could call the eatery, and speak to the chef directly.

Pasta And Rice And More To Please The Diner

When you are looking for excellent Italian food, then you are going to look for restaurants that do a little more than the norm. While pasta and rice are great, there is a plethora of fine Italian recipes that are wonderful and that you would love to experience. The chef will sometimes send the wait staff out and have them throw the idea of trying something new out there, and this will pave the way to a dining extravaganza that will not soon be forgotten. This allows the chef to try new things, or even to practice on recipes that they may not have done in some time. Many times however, the chef just wants to please and this means that they want to share the wonderful foods of their country with the rest of the world.

No Italian? That's A Shame

If you do not have a fine Italian restaurant in your local area, that is actually a true shame. The fine Italian cuisine is something that really should be shared with the rest of the world, and if you are not lucky enough to have a fine eatery in your city then you may want to drive elsewhere to find one when looking to dine on fine foods. This will more than likely not is an issue though, as most large cities are well equipped to handle the love and passion of fine Italian eating today.

Italian Food Culture

The Italian food culture concerns not only what we see at Italian tables or in a rich Italian restaurant menu.

It is something much deeper in Italians' DNA.

Italians have some beliefs that go beyond education or tradition.

Concerning pasta

An easy example could be the pasta shapes and their seasonings. Considering that among dry pasta (the ones you usually buy inside paper or plastic bags that last for long) the difference is only the shape of it, nothing else, the shape itself is something very important for Italians.

There's a traditional pasta sauce recipe from Roma region called Pasta all'amatriciana (it's a tasty sauce made with tomatoes and bacon). Usually it's served using the bucatini pasta (kind of huge spaghetti with a hole in its middle). An Italian woman was disgusted hearing her hairdress telling her colleague that preferred it with short pasta. She said: "Don't ask me why. It just is as it is. Amatriciana must go with long pasta. How can one imagine of cooking it with short pasta?" The same goes for pasta with oil and garlic (aglio e olio), you probably will never see it served using any other pasta that isn't spaghetti.

Cappuccino

A lot of people around the world drink coffee and milk. In Italy, people use to drink cappuccino - a coffee and milk with addition of milk foam.

All around the world people drink coffee and milk whenever feels like doing it. Italians will never ask for a cappuccino in the evening! Why? It is just as it is. It's not time to have a cappuccino. Cappuccino is for breakfast!

Italians do not accept someone who asks a cappuccino after, or even worse, together with dinner. They really twist their nose when they see someone doing it.

Drinking

In Italy there are bars everywhere. There are many small cities, having about 1,500 inhabitants that have about 20 bars.

It happens because drinking in Italy is associated with greetings. When an Italian meet a friend, it's natural to "drink something together".

If it happens to serve a drink to someone seat besides you, never turn the jar or the bottle against the natural way of your hand. For example, if you have the jar in your right hand, the glass must be on the left side, never behind, on the right side of your right hand. Otherwise it may not bring good luck.

Meals

In many countries it's common to eat a salad as entrance.

Not in Italy.

Italians eat salad as a side plate for the second dish. Now you can find some tourist restaurants in main cities that propose rich salads for the tourists...but Italians never ask for them!

Italians respects lunch time. If you come to visit Italy and want to have lunch, pay attention to restaurants' closing times. Usually after 2:30pm the kitchens are all closed and you'll have to eat a sandwich. If an Italian is traveling outside Italy, he will probably look for a restaurant during lunch time. If he doesn't or cannot find one, and finds one at 3:00pm, he'll probably say that is not hungry anymore, that he uses to eat at that time otherwise he loses his hunger.

Italians trust their food. While most of the tourists look for local food, considering it part of the vacation, it's very common to see Italians looking for Italian restaurants while abroad. They seem to be afraid of new and different food.

They begin to open themselves to new food when go outside Italy more often and learn to appreciate and trust foreign cuisines.

Other than trusting and loving their own food, Italians hate when people try to mix other food cultures with Italian ones. An example? Never add ketchup to a pasta dish! You cannot imagine how your Italian friend will stare at you if you try to do so.

The interesting in all these is that they don't do it for being presumptuous, but they really believe you're wasting your taste. Italian culture still has a lot of "musts" that go with generations that just follow it without knowing why it is done in this or that way.

Simple and Delicious Regional Italian Food

If you think that Italian food is all about pasta, sauce and pizza, then it's time to think again. Some of the most fabulous foods in the entire world are Italian dishes that most people have never heard of. These dishes are most often regional in nature and often take on the characteristics of the regions and countries bordering the area of Italy where they originate.

The trouble with ordering food in an Italian restaurant, like ones in the US, is that the manager of the restaurant needs to cut down the number of dishes they can serve so that the food can be ready in a timely fashion after you order. What happens often, then is the food that is distinctive but not so well-known gets left off the usual menu.

And because Italy is full of small but very diverse areas, this means that most of the great regional dishes simply are never available on the menu. A great case in point is food from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia area. This is a place right next to the border of the former Yugoslavia and when you mix that culinary influence in with the Italian love of cooking, you get some fabulous dishes that most people outside of Italy have never been able to sample.

Because this region shares a border with the former Yugoslavia, the Italian food here is strong with Austrian, Hungarian, Slovenian, and Croatian influences. One of places that this is most apparent is in the beer halls of the area, places you might more typically associate with Germany or Austria. Here they feature such dishes as Viennese sausage and goulash.

Goulash, which originated as a Hungarian dish, has taken on a distinct Italian taste here and can often be found in fine Italian food restaurants both in and out of Italy. Goulash is very popular in this region and is a thick stew of beef and local vegetables such as onions and red peppers. It is very thick and seasoned with paprika and can be served with pasta. Another dish that makes a frequent appearance at the beer halls in this area is Bohemian stew made with either rabbit or beef.

But, the meat used most often in dishes form this region is pork. And if you are ever visiting this are, make sure you sample one of their world famous San Daniele del Friuli hams. These hams are a staple meat of the local Italian food. The whole region is known for their spicy bacon and sausages. In fact there is a local dish called jota that is unique to the region and is a stew dish made with beans and bacon. But this is so very different from the kind of dish served in the southern areas of the United States. The pork in this area is spicy and this may come as a bit of a shock to foreigners not familiar with this brand of Italian food. The pork is often cooked over an open hearth instead of being roasted, and is seen in many dishes even if it is not the main entree.

There are so many kinds of Italian food that are not pasta with tomato sauce, that it is hard to be able to try them all in one lifetime; but you could certainly try. Because good food is meant to be good fun.

Authentic Italian Food - How To Enjoy It In Italy

There is a famous story about an Italian professor who decided that he wanted to eat real Italian food so he hired a simple country girl to cook for him. On the first evening she cooked him beans and pasta. The professor was somewhat disappointed, but he told himself he had asked for rustic food. Perhaps the next meal would be different.

But on the second night his new cook came into the dining room with a plate of beans and pasta. So it went on until he finally decided to speak to the girl and asked her why she only cooked beans and pasta. "That is what we eat at home," she told the professor.

Italian cooking has been formed by hardship and poverty. That is especially true in the south and middle of Italy. Northern Italy has historically been richer and its traditional dishes are richer. In Southern Italy rich food was the preserve of the nobility and heavily influenced by French cuisine.

Italian cooking has its own character in each region of the country. That is as one would expect in a country that was only unified in the late nineteenth century. Italians did not even speak the same language until recently. They can hardly be expected to have the same style of cooking.

Industrialization has homogenized Italian cooking to some degree as it has everywhere. You will find the same brand names throughout Italy. Italian women seldom spend all their lives at home these days. They do not have the time that previous generations of women had to spend long hours over the stove. They are as likely to reach for a convenience food as other busy women.

But even having said all that there is something special about Italian food which comes down in the end to an attitude rather than to specific ingredients. In Italy there is an attitude to food that does not exist in many societies.

Meals are occasions for conversation among adults and children. Even small children are seldom sent to bed early. Go to any restaurant in Italy and you will see beautifully dressed children running about, eating a little, playing a little. They rarely have temper tantrums despite the late hour. A fractious baby or toddler will be whisked away to the kitchen in the arms of a waiter to be fed tit bits and entertained.

It is all part of that late evening ritual the passegiata when Italians put on their best clothes to stroll about the parks and squares of their town. They talk, have a beer perhaps, or a meal. The meal itself may be quite simple but eating an Italian meal is as much about developing that attitude to life as it is about the cooking.

But family meals can consist of many courses. When foreigners first encounter an Italian meal of this kind they are often surprised by the fact that pasta is only one course. Many an unwary visitor to an Italian home has accepted the offer of more pasta thinking that is the meal, only to find that they are confronted by the secondo or the main course afterward.

Before the pasta there may be antipasta which consists of various salamis, fish, cold meats, salads. boiled eggs, olives and other cold foods. They are served with bread and oil. It is more substantial than the appetizers we are used to.

The secondo usually consists of meat or fish with vegetables. An elaborate Italian meal may even have more than one secondo. There may even be two dessert courses. Fruit and cheese may be followed by a sweet desert such as a pastry or ice cream. Finally comes coffee and grappa which is the perfect end to an Italian meal.

Cooking Italian Food at Home

Many people love Italian food. They enjoy a dinner out at their favorite Italian eatery. But what if you could have that same experience in your own home? Cooking Italian food is fun and easy, and can be a lot easier on your wallet than numerous meals out. Before you can start cooking Italian food, you will need to stock the pantry.

Balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil are commonly used in many recipes. Cheeses such as asiago, fontina, mozzarella, and provolone are also essential. Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers are often used, so be sure to visit your local farmer's market. Arborio rice will be needed for risotto.

If you plan on making your own pasta, you will need some semolina wheat. Fresh herbs are another must, so you might consider starting an herb garden with basil, oregano, and rosemary. And don't forget your favorite meats! For beverages you will need water, coffees, and of course a couple of different varieties of Italian wines.

The Tools

If you are totally new to cooking Italian food, you may need to have a few special tools in your kitchen to be able to prepare all of the recipes. An espresso machine is important if you like that after dinner cup. A garlic press, cheese grater, and pasta press will make cooking easier. For serving you will want a carafe for oil and vinegar, some fun serving ware, and a corkscrew for the wine.

Finding Recipes

Another aspect of cooking Italian food is getting together some authentic Italian recipes. You can try taking a class on Italian cooking or picking up a cookbook from your local library or bookstore. The internet is another great resource, since you can search online for just about any Italian recipe that you can imagine. Save your favorites in your own files so that you can access them again easily. As your cooking skills improve you can try more difficult recipes until you become your own proficient Italian cook. You can even consider asking friends to exchange their favorite recipes with you as well.

Many people start cooking Italian food with the basics such as pasta and pizza. However, another place to practice your Italian cooking skills is in the realm of desserts. Italian desserts range from gelato to cakes to the famous tiramisu. Many of these recipes are fairly simple and lead to spectacular results that your guests are sure to appreciate.

Going Further

If you have decided that you want to take cooking Italian food at home to the next level, you might want to consider taking an official class. There are online courses that you can take, as well as college cooking courses. If you can afford a trip to Italy, there is no better way to learn Italian cooking than from the Italians themselves. A trip to Italy can give you the chance to learn from the masters, as well as taste local cuisines that can inspire you to attempt new creations in your home kitchen.

How to Enjoy Cooking Italian Food

Italian food is one of the most loved cuisines across the world. Hugely popular outside its country of origin, Italian chefs has managed to maintain the same flavour and enthusiasm for food by keeping the following points in mind while they cook.

Italian food always tastes a lot better when made with fresh ingredients. Frozen ingredients or ingredients out of a supermarket where they may well be approaching their expiry date are not acceptable. Also, to maximise the impact that your ingredients can have on your recipe, ensure that what you put in is ripe.

Learn to improvise. One of the key things to remember when you decide to cook Italian food is that there is almost always a viable substitute for an ingredient that is not available when you are cooking. For example, using fettuccini in a recipe that traditionally calls for spaghetti is not a bad idea at all.

Look to save time and resources. Most Italian chefs today will tell you, that there is no honour lost if you decide to buy the spaghetti you use from a supermarket, rather than make it yourself. While making it from scratch is also well worth it, if you are hard pressed for time, move on and see how best you can minimise time wasted. Also never throw away an ingredient that might live to see another day and add that extra flavour to a dish you might make tomorrow.

Learn everything you can about pasta, which is practically a must have at any Italian dinner table. As far as possible, remember to use fresh garlic when you experiment with Italian cooking. Cheese is another big player on the Italian cooking circuit, so it is advisable to learn as much as you can about the different kinds of cheese and the dishes that they best complement.

The ingredients are essential in Italian cooking and using olive oil (preferably extra virgin olive oil) rather than margarine or butter is key. This combined with let us say fresh cherry tomatoes rather than tinned tomatoes and then being sure not to overcook the pasta (which is a mistake many people make) means overall a decent pasta dish. A glass of red Italian wine makes for a great addition but keep to one glass and not one bottle.

Cooking is an art form almost, for many Italian cooks and you can acquire a taste for olive oil and many ingredients, even if you do not take to them immediately. Pursue, practice and make cooking tasty and healthy food a habit rather than a treat.

Romance and Italian Food Are the Perfect Combination

What could be better than a great night out on a romantic date, than to share a romance filled dinner at a great Italian restaurant. Italian food has always been considered romantic and if you are lucky enough to live in a place where there are many Italian restaurants you might be looking for some easy to remember tips in picking out a fabulous spot for your date.

The first thing, of course, is to choose a place that serves authentic Italian food. If you don't, you will come off looking like you don't know what you are doing and are just trying to get by on the cheap. Not a good way to start off a date.

The question is though, how do you know what's authentic? And the answer is simple: just look at the menu. Unless you are an Italian cook yourself, if you understand it, the menu is not authentic enough. You are looking for more Italian food than just spaghetti and pizza.

You could also try striking up a conversation with some of the people who work there. I know that I would be looking for people behind the food to know more Italian than English. If everyone there seems too American you can bet the food is going to be more Americanized-Italian than authentic Italian food.

But once you do find a place with a good menu the next step is to learn to understand it. You want to make a good impression on your date by ordering something on the menu and knowing what to expect before the food arrives at the table. You surely don't want to order octopus soup because you think it is going to be a roasted pork dish. The best thing to do is learn how to properly say what you want to eat in Italian.

You could even find out what Italian food your date likes and pick out some recommendations from the menu beforehand and learn how to say them. That would go a long way toward impressing your date when it comes time to order and you're reading off your selection from the menu like an Italian food connoisseur.

Now, anybody can tell you for a fact that Italian food isn't Italian without a good wine to go with your dinner. Any respectable authentic Italian food establishment will have a nice selection of wine. This is a must for your romantic date.

But before you actually go to the restaurant, make sure you research what wine will go best will the Italian food you're ordering. You can find out online and then when you get to the restaurant you can ask the server, that's what they're there for. But you do want to be sure that they don't just recommend the most expensive wine on the list, so you do need to know a bit about it before you go.

Italian food was meant to be enjoyed with wine, so take the time to make sure you're getting a good wine for both the food and your budget.

You can certainly enjoy a nice romantic dinner date without taking heed of these tips, but when it is really so easy to know a little bit ahead of time, there is no reason why you shouldn't. Besides, an Italian restaurant is one of the most fun kind of restaurant to go to. And everybody knows that good food is meant to be good fun.

Fine Italian Foods

If you have ever considered fine Italian foods as a great way to feed the family, yet they are tired of pasta each time you want Italian you are in luck. The fact is that there are so many Italian recipes that have nothing to do with pasta, it will make your head spin. Pasta seems to be the unspoken cuisine mascot for the Italian culture, and while this seems to be understandable it is not really the case. The Italians enjoy many different foods that can be found not only around their country, but all over the world as well. Italian cooks have always been adventurous when it comes to cooking, and the more opportunities they have to experiment the better the meal will be.

Rice Has A Place

There is a great deal of option when it comes to fine Italian foods, and most of which are actually not pasta related. Many of the wonderful dishes that you find from the past and the newer recipes in the fine restaurants, are revolving around rice. There are quite a few different forms of rice that can be used for a great Italian meal, and using the right rice for the right recipe can be very important. Many of the great recipes including the likes of Risotto, are easy to make and you will be pleasing the family each and every time you cook. Rice is a very versatile food that you can use as the part of a main course or as a fine side.

Meats Are A Mainstay

When it comes to fine Italian foods, you must never forget the meats. There are many dishes that call for various forms of meat, and some very popular recipes ask for lamb or pork to bring the most out of the meal. The Italians have been using meat just as long as any other culture, and when you are going to enjoy a fine Italian meal you need to expect something to be offered that contains meat in it. Many of the fine dishes that grace Italian tables and wonderful Mediterranean restaurants, include poultry and or fish. This is a great way to get the meat in the dish, yet not have the recipe be too heavy where you are full by the second course. Italian meals that are made with meat can be enjoyed any time of the year, and the more you look to enjoy a fine Italian dish the more likely you are to find one that has your meat intake covered graciously.

Vegetables Are A Great Side Or A Course All On Their Own

When it comes to fine Italian food, a meal would just not be considered complete, without a form of vegetable served. You will find all kinds of veggies in a meal at an Italian table, some will be grilled and some will be used in sauces. Whatever you do with a vegetable in Italy is always appreciated and you will seldom find someone not willing to try what is offered.

Italian Food And Wines - Don't Miss The Fun

Do you wish to take a holiday? How fond are you of Italian cooking? Are you interested in an exciting mix of delectable cuisine and a restful outing? Do you love tasting wine? If you are a food and wine connoisseur, then an Italian food and wine holiday is just the ideal tour for you!

Now, an Italian food and wine holiday is a wonderful way of bringing together several cherished desires in a single enthralling escapade! But, how can this be done? Well, for a start, you can commence with an easy and speedy internet search.

In the first place, you need to settle on the duration of your Italian food and wine holiday. After resolving this, you need to draw up a schedule of the places you wish to visit on your Italian food and wine holiday. Perhaps, you wish to travel to many countries or states in the course of your tour. Alternatively, you may wish to focus on a particular city or region. Whatever you choose, after you have finalized these key issues, you are set to perform a comprehensive search of your tour schedule!

Activate an online search of all Italian restaurants, which are in close proximity to the area(s) where you intend to go on your Italian food and wine holiday. When you have generated a list of likely eating-places, you can scan the feedback given and see how they are rated, which will be of great help in selecting the restaurants you wish to visit on your holiday.

Go over the search process once again with wine. Make a note of the restaurants or wineries that serve a few of your preferred choices of wine, or in case you wish to be a little more adventurous, seek out wines that are not known to you. This is your very own Italian food and wine holiday and you spend it just the way you want! An online search is very useful because it not only provides you complete information on any topic, at the click of a mouse, but it also enables you to compare the costs involved and thus cuts down on your time and expenditure.

After completing this, you can next carry out an internet search to discover the best deals in airfares and hotel accommodations that are present! In truth, the web is your greatest ally and a valuable resource when it comes to scheduling an Italian food and wine holiday, or where anything else is concerned. Promptly chalk out the most cost-effective lists and determine whether departing a day or a week, or perhaps, a month early can benefit you in terms of savings. These are little things, which make a big difference on how well you enjoy your holiday. In fact, the far less money you tend to splurge on traveling to your holiday location, the far more you tend to have in reserve, which can be prudently expended on other travel necessities or maybe even saving up for a rainy day!

Hot and Cold Italian Foods

When it comes to Italian foods, it is important to note that there are many forms of food that will grace a table. Some foods will be hot, while some will be cold. It is must be understood that regardless of the type of food that you try, it should not define and or forge your opinion on Italian food as a whole. There are just too many types of food to be enjoyed in the Italian culinary arsenal, and you would be hard pressed to try everything that it has to offer in your lifetime.

From Cold Cuts To Baked Ziti

It really does not matter what it is that you are enjoying in regards to Italian foods, as each and everything that you try will most likely tickle your senses. One moment you could be enjoying a great platter of cold cuts such a soppressata or mortadella, and the next you could be enjoying a wonderful baked ziti. Both have their merits and appeal, yet both are so opposite in the food spectrum. There is no question that you are going to enjoy both of these delightful entries in the fascinating world of Italian cuisine. Often you can find many items that are both hot and cold that can be combined or share space on the Italian dinner table at the same time. This is nothing more than a delight for those that are going to dine, as it offers you much in the way of variety and culinary experimentation.

Hot Pasta And Cold Pasta

Italian foods are not temperature specific, and this can be attested to by perhaps the most popular of all Italian foods in pasta. While some may assume that pasta is something that is always served hot, this is not the case as there are several dishes old and new that revolve around the use of pasta that has been chilled prior to serving. Great pasta and even Greek salads are known to be served in the warmer months in the Mediterranean region, and this is a great way to dine in the early afternoon on the terrace of a café. Cool pasta tastes just as delightful as hot pasta, and the great thing about pasta is whether it is served hot or cold the texture always remains the same. This makes pasta an ideal food to work with, and it is obvious why it is a top choice for many chefs worldwide today.

Even Soups Have Variations

When it comes to Italian foods that are hot and cold, even soup has its own distinct differences. Many soups in Italian culture have been made specifically hot or cold depending on the season. One of the most common and popular cold soups in Italy is known as gazpacho, and this soup consists of several different finely chopped vegetables. All are mixed in a large pot and chilled for hours; the result is an absolutely wonderful flavor and simply refreshing texture.

Italian Food - An Overview

Italian food is more than a form of nourishment; it's a way of life in a country where family, friendship and feasts are all indelibly linked. Italian food is simple, vibrant and good for you. From roasts to risotto, pasta to preserves, soups to sauces, Italian food is popular all year round. Italian food is highly famed: greatly loved and tirelessly imitated the world over, it has been a source of endless pleasure and joie-de-vivre in countries far and wide. Italian food is not just for Italians, but for everyone.

Cooking

For hundreds of years Italian cooking has followed a very simple principle: food is best when it's cooked fresh and in season. I am a great fan of Italian cuisine, and a firm believer that cooking is an art, not a task. Most traditional Italian dishes as we know today, are on the whole derived from simple peasant cookery, for example the Pizza, which could be found a couple of centuries ago on the streets of Naples being sold by street vendors to those that had no cooking facilities of their own at home. The regional cooking depends on a number of factors, not only as to what ingredients are most abundant each region, but also historical factors. The recipes of Northern and Southern Italian dishes are quite different and use different methods of cooking. With the exception of a few areas near lakes that exert a moderating influence, Northern Italy is too cold for olive trees to grow, and as a result much of the population used butter for cooking.

Pasta

Pasta, no doubt, plays a large part in most traditional Italian food, and few cultures know how to employ a tomato the way that Italians can. Pasta and olive oil are considered the characteristics of southern Italian food, while northern food focuses on rice and butter (although today there are many exceptions). Italian food is all about combinations of delicious local flavours, a simple sauce, a sprinkling of Parmesan and of course real Italian pasta.

Ingredients

Ingredients used in Italian cooking, such as pasta, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes and red wine have proved to be contributory factors to a healthier lifestyle. Finding the right balance of ingredients is vital in creating vibrant good food. Although there are essential ingredients that every Italian kitchen should have, basil, garlic and olive oil, the most important ingredient is creativity. Italian cookery is exceptionally varied, nutritious and healthy; traditions have been handed down from one family to the next over the centuries, and are associated mainly with country life in that dishes are directly linked to what the Earth produces over the changing seasons: in other words, wholesome cooking whose goodness depends on all-natural ingredients.

Somebody once said "The trouble with eating Italian food is that 5 or 6 days later you're hungry again". Italian food is not just for Italians, but for everyone. Did you know that Italian food is the most popular cuisine for eating out throughout the world? I think the success of Italian food is that it's the food that is easiest to live with.

Where Does Italian Food History Begin?

Italy is one of the oldest countries in the world, and thanks to the geographical boundaries of the Mediterranean Sea and the Alps it has remained largely unchanged throughout history. Even during the Roman Empire, Italy was set apart. Legions that had been abroad always knew when they had returned to the mother country. Italian food history, however, reaches far beyond the country's borders.

For starters, look at pasta. There is much historical debate on its origins, but many historians point to Marco Polo's voyages to the Far East, from which he returned with all manner of foreign spices and foods, as the venue from which pasta came. The Chinese had cooked with noodles for centuries, and Marco Polo's men encountered the same on their travels.

The tomato, now considered a staple in Italian cuisine, was long thought to be poisonous, partly because it is related to the deadly nightshade plant. Other Europeans found it to be palatable long before the first Italian cook simmered some down to make tomato sauce.

The Greeks, neighbors and frequent military rivals of the Italians, had a great amount of influence on Italian cuisine, especially in the area of spices and the preparation of seafood. Calamari, or squid, now a common dish on every Italian restaurant menu, was originally something Greeks were known for consuming.

The Roman Empire's excursions into North Africa were another fertile breeding ground for culinary expansion. The number of herbs, spices and vegetables that entered the Italian menu from Egypt and the other African territories is uncountable.

Even today, Italian food history continues to evolve. Much of the changes now, though, take place beyond the shores of Italy. In America, for example, chefs like Mario Batali have fused classic Italian dishes with American cuisine to come up with dishes that combine the best of both worlds. In cities and towns all over the country, chefs are taking traditional ingredients and combining them in new ways. In what could perhaps be called a "full-circle" journey for pasta, some Italian-Asian fusion restaurants are even beginning to evolve.

But perhaps the best way to get a full idea of Italian food history is to get out and eat some. Better yet, eat a lot! Eating Italian food is always better than Italian food history.

Italian Food Information ...

Do you like Italian food?  I do and that's why I started this blog.  Hope you enjoy it!