Italian food is imaginative,
colorful and bursting with flavor. It is in harmony with
today's thoughts on healthy eating and the "Mediterranean
diet", with its emphasis on energy-giving foods, olive oil
and plenty of fruit and vegetables. Italy is a country of
changing climates and landscapes, and so too is its cooking,
varying according to the region from which a particular dish
comes. From the cool and mountainous north come hearty,
warning dishes. Among these are polenta, a gorgeous, golden
yellow porridge made from cornmeal; wonderful baked pasta
dishes such as lasagne; and rich risottos, with locally
grown arborio rice, of which northern Italians eat rather a
lot. From the south, where the climate is warmer, we find
more colorful, dishes, such as pizza and simple meat dishes
made with additional ingredients such as peppers, olives and
herbs that thrive in the hot Mediterranean sun. Southern
Italian like their pasta served simply; with oil, and herbs.
The land is rich in produce: from the forests come game;
sheep and goats graze in the foothills; wheat for pasta
grows in the plains; and there is a wealth of vegetables and
fruit in every field and orchard. Veal, beef and dairy foods
are produced, the seas and lakes are brimming with all sorts
of fish and shellfish, and in the hills, vines and olive
trees are cultivated.
Olive oil is one of the most
important ingredients in Italian cooking and although it may
seem expensive, it pays to use the best that you can afford.
Most recipes only need a little and it makes all the
difference to the flavor of a dish. Extra virgin olive oil,
produced from the first cold pressing of the olives, is
excellent for dressings or pouring on to pasta, while pure
olive oil is perfect for cooking.
Vegetable play a vital role in
Italian cuisine and among those most often used are
courgettes, aubergines, broccoli, peppers, spinach and
tomatoes. Other favorites Italian ingredients include
garlic, freshly grated nutmeg, capers, olives and pine nuts,
all adding enticing flavors to savory dishes.
Cheese is used in small
amounts as an ingredient in many recipes. Italians make a
large variety of cheese and these are becoming increasingly
easier to find in other countries. There are many varieties
of cheese ranging from soft, crumbly and mild, to hard,
creamy and full-flavored. The most well-known is Parmesan,
the undisputed king of Italian cheeses.
Italian food is simple and
rustic, lovingly prepared and well-presented. Cooking as the
Italians do is easy and fun. They love to cook, but above
all, Italian enjoy sharing food with friends and family,
turning even the simplest meal into a celebration. With the
help of these delicious and authentic recipes, you will be
certain to do the same.
Collection of Italian
Food
Recipes:
|
