Italian cuisine has influenced many countries in the world. Italians have a particular love for food and cooking – and the experience of food and meal time is important.
Italian cuisine is basically a combination of vegetables, grains, fruits, fish, cheeses and a scattering of meats, fowl and game usually seasoned or cooked with olive oil.
The most particular thing about Italian food is the order in which they are eaten. Meals usually consist of no less than 3-4 courses. The first course is usually more filling than the other courses and consists of pasta or risotto. Everyday home cooking might only include 2 courses, but here is the entire traditional meal structure:
Aperitivo - apéritif usually enjoyed as an appetizer before a large meal. Popular drinks include Campari, Cinzano, Byrrh, Suze, and Vermouth. Aperitivo is usually served with small bite size snacks like chips, nuts, bruschetta, olives, capers etc. On my recent trip to Italy I was amazed at how many people drink Mojito, and it seems that Heineken is the most popular beer.
Antipasto - literally "before (the) meal", hot or cold appetizers
Primo - "first course", usually consists of a hot dish like pasta, risotto, gnocchi, polenta or soup.
Secondo - "second course", the main dish, usually fish or meat. Traditionally veal, pork, chicken or beef.
Contorno - "side dish", may consist of a salad or cooked vegetables. A traditional menu features salad along with the main course.
Formaggio e frutta - "cheese and fruits", the first dessert. Local Cheeses may also be part of the Antipasto or Contorno as well. Italians love their fruits, and many bars serve fruit with after-dinner drinks.
Dolce - "dessert", such as ice cream, cakes and cookies
Caffè - coffee
Digestivo - "digestives", liquors/liqueurs (grappa, amaro, limoncello) sometimes referred to as ammazzacaffè ("coffee killer")
Italian food varies depending on the towns, region, available ingredients etc. I personally find Italians quite conservative with their food – most menus have the same dishes and foreign food is hard to come by outside of the bigger cities.
Italian cuisine has influenced many countries in the world. Italians have a particular love for food and cooking – and the experience of food and meal time is important.
Italian cuisine is basically a combination of vegetables, grains, fruits, fish, cheeses and a scattering of meats, fowl and game usually seasoned or cooked with olive oil.
The most particular thing about Italian food is the order in which they are eaten. Meals usually consist of no less than 3-4 courses. The first course is usually more filling than the other courses and consists of pasta or risotto. Everyday home cooking might only include 2 courses, but here is the entire traditional meal structure:
Aperitivo - apéritif usually enjoyed as an appetizer before a large meal. Popular drinks include Campari, Cinzano, Byrrh, Suze, and Vermouth. Aperitivo is usually served with small bite size snacks like chips, nuts, bruschetta, olives, capers etc. On my recent trip to Italy I was amazed at how many people drink Mojito, and it seems that Heineken is the most popular beer.
Antipasto - literally "before (the) meal", hot or cold appetizers
Primo - "first course", usually consists of a hot dish like pasta, risotto, gnocchi, polenta or soup.
Secondo - "second course", the main dish, usually fish or meat. Traditionally veal, pork, chicken or beef.
Contorno - "side dish", may consist of a salad or cooked vegetables. A traditional menu features salad along with the main course.
Formaggio e frutta - "cheese and fruits", the first dessert. Local Cheeses may also be part of the Antipasto or Contorno as well. Italians love their fruits, and many bars serve fruit with after-dinner drinks.
Dolce - "dessert", such as ice cream, cakes and cookies
Caffè - coffee
Digestivo - "digestives", liquors/liqueurs (grappa, amaro, limoncello) sometimes referred to as ammazzacaffè ("coffee killer")
Italian food varies depending on the towns, region, available ingredients etc. I personally find Italians quite conservative with their food – most menus have the same dishes and foreign food is hard to come by outside of the bigger cities.
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Italian beef fillet on rocket with parmesan cheese and olive oil, served with crusty ciabatta
Probably better known as "Tagliata di Carne" - this dish is always a hit. Juicy medium-rare steak (t-bone, fillet, rump can be used) is served on a bed of rocket and topped with olive oil, black pepper, balsamic vinegar (optional) and parmesan cheese.
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Italian Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce
Gnocchi, from the Italian for "little lump," are delicious dumplings cooked like fresh pasta and then served with sauce or added to soup. Despite the name, gnocchi should not be lumpish, but light and fluffy, with an airy, fresh texture. The most common gnocchi are made of potato, but,these are even better!
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Italian Caprese Salad
This is, in my opinion, the most elegant salad in the world. The better the quality of the ingredients, the better the salad!
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Open yourself to love. Love yourself, love those around you, love what you do and love the world. Give love and take love with open arms. Remember true love does not turn to hate or anger, true love is unconditional. Love is a reward in itself. Read More >>
Open yourself to love. Love yourself, love those around you, love what you do and love the world. Give love and take love with open arms. Remember true love does not turn to hate or anger, true love is unconditional. Love is a reward in itself. Read More >>
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Taking time to create a theme around the experience of enjoying a meal is one of those special host touches that effect the evening more than you might expect. Setting the tone, the music, the dress and the environment captivate your guests to allow them to enter another, more intimate space with you.
Taking time to create a theme around the experience of enjoying a meal is one of those special host touches that effect the evening more than you might expect. Setting the tone, the music, the dress and the environment captivate your guests to allow them to enter another, more intimate space with you.
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