Food Blog
Espresso for Beginners: The Do's and Don'ts of Italian Espresso
In Italy and all over the
world, Italian espresso is the preferred delivery system for caffeine, an
effective morning eye-opener for many. But you don’t have to travel to Italy
for an authentic Italian espresso. If you can’t make the trip over the pond, we’ll
show you how to easily recreate the Italian cafe experience in the comfort of
home.History [...]
How to Make Your Home into a Pizzeria
One of the most iconic foods
in Italian cuisine, pizza is the glory of the Old World culinary canon. First
created in the 16th century, pizza became a beloved staple that was enjoyed by
everyone, regardless of social class. The love for pizza quickly spread around
the world, owing its universal appeal to a satisfying layer of thin,
hand-stretched dough, [...]
10 Must-Eat Mediterranean Street Foods
Sampling the local street food is one of the best ways to experience a country’s culture. The nature of traveling means you’re always on the move, ...
Famous Chef's Best Kept Secret Ingredient
When it comes to excellence in gourmet cuisine, high-quality ingredients and expert cooking techniques are essential for delicious, mouth-watering food. But even more important among top chefs is their ability to create dishes with a signature flair. For food that stands apart from the rest, the special ingredient chefs can't live without is Maldon salt, [...]
A Traditional Italian Easter Feast: Abbacchio a Scottadito
In Italy, Easter is one of the most important holidays. In fact, the festivities start with the Holy Week, which begins a week earlier on Palm Sunday. Along with religious services and elaborate street processions, the celebration is also centered around an epic feast that is typically enjoyed on Easter Sunday. According to tradition, lamb [...]
Beef Braciole: A Rachael Ray Favorite
A regional dish from southern Italy, Beef Braciole gives classic Italian pantry food a rich and meaty kick. It’s also a family dinner favorite for Rachael Ray, the Food Network star and host of her own daytime talk show. Also included in The Soprano’s Family Cookbook, this recipe comes from her mama’s weekday menu rotation [...]
The History of Panettone
The United States has pumpkin
pie and Italy has panettone, the quintessential cake for the holidays. Made
with a combination of candied fruit and spices, panettone is the Old World
version of fruitcake, a special treat that dates back to the Middle Ages.
Panettone cake might have a rich and storied history, but its
flavor and texture has remained the [...]
The Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner
Italian cuisine varies from
region to region, and the menu for Christmas dinner is no exception. While each
region features their own classic dishes, a traditional Italian Christmas
dinner always includes several courses. For Italians, this is an epic feast that lasts all day and
into the evening. This holiday season, bring the
flavors of Italy to your holiday dinner table with [...]
Italian Wedding Soup
Contrary to what you
might think, the origins of Italian wedding soup actually have nothing to do
with nuptials, although it is often served as an appetizer at Italian weddings.
The name comes from “Minestra Miritata” (marriage soup), an Italian phrase that
describes the blissful marriage of hearty greens and rich, savory meat. First
enjoyed by the peasants of Southern [...]
Grilled Polenta with Spinach and Cheese Recipe
A staple of Italian
cuisine, polenta is a simple and easy way to add a touch of gourmet to your typical
eggs-and-bacon brunch fare. In this recipe, starchy and satisfying polenta
squares are grilled until crisp, and then complemented with a bed of sautéed
spinach seasoned with garlic and red pepper. It all comes together with robiola
cheese, a well-balanced [...]
Italian Food Specialties by Region
For gourmands around the
world, Italy is the number one destination for experiencing authentic Old World
cuisine. From Abruzzo to
Veneto, Italy offers a wide range of regional food thanks to a variety of
landscapes and climates. For centuries, Italians have relied on natural
resources as inspiration for distinctive cuisine in each region. If you
can’t make the trip to Italy, [...]
5 Ways to Spice Up Dishes with Tutto Calabria Hot Peppers
Bring the flavors of Southern
Italy to your favorite Italian pantry food with Tutto
Calabria chili peppers, an
easy way to give your dishes a little kick! The magic of using chili peppers in
cooking is how it balances other flavors—briny, rich, sweet, or tangy—with just
the right amount of heat. Similar to salt, the spice of chili peppers helps [...]