Garlic

Italians use garlic extensively in the preparation of many of  their recipes. Garlic is actually packed with essential vitamins that help maintain a healthy heart and help the body resist other infections. The content of vitamins A, B, and C are extremely beneficial. Garlic is an onion like plant cultivated in southern Europe and is bulbous in shape and breaks into cloves when opened. It has a distinctive powerful aroma and flavour. Garlic can be bought in quantity as it is easy to store in a fridge or cupboards for a length of time.

Olive Oil

The mainstay of Italian cuisine is olive oil and it is most widely used in Mediterranean countries. Extra virgin olive oil is high quality oil which is due to the means by which it is processed. Extra virgin olive oil is naturally quite expensive and it is use is preferred to other olive oils. However, as this is somewhat of a luxury item you may prefer to use ordinary olive oil if it is more affordable, but always ensure you choose the best quality you can find. There are many different types and quality of oil and it is important to choose the right one. A dedicated chef specialising in Italian cooking will never compromise on the type of oil he use. The recipes contained in this book include the use of extra virgin olive oil. Though preference is given to the use of butter by some chefs they will often add a little olive oil because of its authentic sublime flavour.

Herbs and Spices

In an Italian kitchen, the use of herbs and spices is essential and they will always be prevalent. Basil, Italian flat leaf parsley, all of the fresh variety, and oregano which can be used dried or fresh, are the most widely used in Italian recipes. Herbs such as basil and parsley are so often needed in the preparation of recipes that it is a good idea to have plenty in your kitchen, or even cultivate them yourself. They can easily be grown in pots or planters on a shelf as long as there is plenty of natural light. In Italy oregano is sold dried on the stem and it is the only herb that it is preferable to use in its dried state. This should be stored in an airtight container for the best results. Rosemary is another herb that is very aromatic in the use of Italian cooking and works well in many recipes.  If you need to create a spicier dish you should consider dried red pepper flakes.

Italian cooking spices

Technorati Tags: Italian cooking spices

Italian cooking can be described in an uncomplicated description as; ‘a love of simple foods prepared with care, and with fresh baked bread of course.’ Italian cuisine combines basic ingredients in a delicious way which features fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, fish, pasta, breads and spices, together with olive oil.

Italian culinary traditions were developed as the building blocks of the Mediterranean cuisine, some refer to it as the Mediterranean Diet, but it is much more than a fad, it’s a way of life in Italy. Olive oil is an integral part of Italian cooking. Olive oil is always present on the table and is added to soups, sauces, pastas, and is drizzled over vegetables and salads. Extra virgin olive oil is served as a dip with fresh bread and balsamic vinegar.

Bread is considered as a fundamental in the Italian cuisine. It may appear as the most simple, but it is an important component of Italian food and cooking. Bread is in the midst of every meal. Italian bread is used in a variety of ways, bread dipped in fresh herbs and spices, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, bread for stuffing, bread for bread crumbs, or toasted bread for garlic and foccacia bread.

A long baguette with sesame seeds dusted over the top is regarded as a French Loaf. It is one of many favorite Italian breads. In Sicily the round panelle bread has a real brick oven taste to it as is also favored. It can be hard and crusty on the outside, but firm but soft on the inside, ideal for soups and oil dipping.

There is something unmistakably delicious about fresh bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil and spices. It is a great snack and appetizer. Place a bit of effort in selecting a quality fresh baked bread. A Supermarket “Italian Bread” that is white and, spongy soft, is neither appetizing or a good representation of what real bread should be. Some bakeries will offer fresh baked bread from authentic Old Country recipes. Of course, it’s all a personal preference and there are many types of specialty bread to choose from, such as Baguette, French, Panelle, Ciabata, or the Tuscan bread. 

bread dipping, Italian bread dipping

Technorati Tags: bread dipping, Italian bread dipping