The boot-shaped peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea has an abundance of cuisines to offer.  The regions in Italy have unique dishes, as well as, many similarities.  The food ranges from the simple, seasoned olive oil with fresh baked bread, to the more extravagant main dishes, risotto, lamb, veal, calamari, healthy salads, truffle dressings, and rich desserts, tortes, cannoli, and elegant cakes.  Mentioning Italy, brings to mind pasta and pizza.  However, there is much more to Italian food.  Just to name a few:   Italians make delicious comfort foods, elegant seafood entres, tasteful soups, tempting desserts and homemade breads and pastas.  Many people have heard a myth that Marco Polo brought noodles to Italy from China.  In fact, many forms of pasta were already being prepared in Italy and documented in history.  Some historians can trace the introduction of pasta to the Italians, by Arab travelers crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Northern Africa.  Pasta was incorporated into Italian life, and it flourished in Naples.  Pizza is quickly associated with Italy and varies from region to region, and from Northern Italy to Southern Italy and Sicily.  Generally, the Northern Italian style of cooking is more light, while the Southern style uses more hearty ingredients and thick sauces.  Try recipes from both regions to truly enjoy the finest variety of Italy.

 

The “Italian Kitchen”              

Stock your Italian kitchen with a good variety of herbs, including basil, oregano, rosemary, dried chili peppers, Italian parsley, and fresh garlic.  Also, keep in stock olive oil, olives, cheeses and a variety of pastas.  Italians love to buy their vegetables and herbs fresh, or grow their own.  Some good utensils to keep on hand are:   garlic press, spaghetti ladle, ravioli pans, pizza stone, espresso pot, demitasse cups, pizelle maker, cheese grater, and a blender or food processor.  Learning to make your own bread and pasta is well worth the effort.

  

                        
Some of our featured Italian recipes have been:
     ØTomato, Mozzarella and olive oil salad 
  Ø  Crostini with Crab Salad 
     Ø  Italian Cake 
     Ø  Crepes with Chocolate 
     Ø  Homemade pasta 
     Ø  Mocha Walnut Torte