There are many misconceptions that surround Italy’s customs, and food. Lets take a look at some of the most common Italian food myths.

Lets first begin with Italian dressing. There is no such thing in Italy. In fact, Italians do not use any type of bottled or pre-made dressing on their salads. A simple coating of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, a little bit of salt and pepper is all that is used to top salads. When ordering salad out at a restaurant in Italy, you will be supplied with an oil and vinegar set to dress the greens yourself.

The next Italian food myth deals with pasta sauces. Heavy, cream based sauces are not terribly common. More common sauces are vegetable based, fish based, and even combine eggs and cheese such as you would find in Pasta alla Carbonara. Liquors such as cognac and wine are also added to fresh ingredients, as are smoked meats.

The idea that Italy consumes vast quantities of meat is another Italian food myth. There are a few exceptions, however most Italians do not enjoy a great deal of meat. Plain meats, such as a grilled steak, are rarely consumed. When meat dishes are prepared, they tend to combine lots of flavors and vegetables. Popular meat dishes include: Abbacchio al forno con patata, roast lamb with poatoes; grigliata mista, mixed grilled meats (such as pigeon, sausage, beef, or chicken); osso bucco, a braised stew dish with hearty vegetables.

Vegetables are not just deep fried or smothered in sauces in Italy. Most fresh vegetables are simply prepared by sautéing in a bit of olive oil, garlic, and salt. Many times, vegetables are added to pasta and meat dishes to bulk up the dish without adding extra fat. Read the rest of this entry »

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 Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »