Best Italian Food Recipes 2023 - Step by Step with Pictures

Italian

The beauty of Italy is not limited to majestic architecture, rich history and local attractions. It also extends to the amazing ability of Italians to create real masterpieces around themselves, not only in art, but also in cooking. And all because they are very scrupulous about the cooking process and the choice of the right ingredients. Preference is always given to seasonal products here. After all, they win both by their taste qualities and useful properties. By the way, chefs claim that the key to the success of Italian national cuisine is not only in this.

One of the features of Italian cuisine can be called its regionality. Historically, there were significant differences between the northern and southern cuisines of Italy. The first one was fabulously rich, which is why it became the birthplace of an exquisite pasta made of cream and eggs. The second one is a little poorer. Nevertheless, here they learned how to cook amazing dry noodles and pasta, as well as amazing dishes from inexpensive but nutritious ingredients. A lot has changed since then. However, the differences in the dishes of northern and southern cuisines are still preserved in taste qualities, which are now achieved by using various seasonings, less often ingredients.

The Main Products of Italian Dishes

Fresh vegetables – tomatoes, capsicum, carrots, onions, celery, potatoes, asparagus, zucchini;
Fruits – apricots, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, kiwis, citrus fruits, apples, blueberries, peaches, grapes, plums; Fish and seafood, especially shrimp and oysters;
Cheeses, as well as milk and butter;
Beef, lean pork or poultry are preferred from meat. This is often replaced with cheese;
Olive oil. This was highly appreciated by the ancient Romans. Today it is sometimes replaced with pork fat. However, sunflower oil is not used in Italy;
Herbs and spices – basil, marjoram, saffron, cumin, rosemary, oregano, sage, garlic;
Mushrooms;
Legumes;
Cereals, but preference is given to rice;
Walnuts and chestnuts;
Wine is a national drink. A jug of wine is a mandatory attribute of the Italian table.

The Most Popular Italian Dishes

Time has hardly affected the ways and traditions of cooking in Italy. As before, they prefer to stew, boil, fry or bake here. And also cook the meat for the whole stew. As the chefs of the Roman Empire once did. You can talk about Italian cuisine endlessly. Nevertheless, it highlights a number of the most famous and popular dishes, which have become its “calling card”.

Pesto is a favorite sauce of Italians, made from fresh basil, cheese and pine nuts and seasoned with olive oil. By the way, in Italy they are very fond of sauces, the recipes of which here number in the hundreds, if not thousands.
Pizza – once this dish conquered the whole world. In its classic version, tomatoes and cheese are laid out on a thin round cake. All this is seasoned with spices and baked. Although in fact there are a huge number of variations of pizza recipes, including on the territory of Italy itself. Even a flatbread is made thin in the south of the country, and thick in the north. Oddly enough, scientists call Greece the birthplace of pizza.
Pasta is a dish that is also associated with Italy.
Risotto – when cooking it, rice is stewed in broth with wine and meat, mushrooms, vegetables or seafood are added.
Ravioli – look like our dumplings, but differ in fillings. In addition to meat in Italy, they put fish, cheeses, seafood, cottage cheese, vegetables in them.
Lasagna is a dish consisting of several layers of dough, minced meat, sauce and cheese.
Caprese is one of the popular salads, which is made from tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, olive oil and basil.
Gnocchi – dumplings made from semolina or potato groats.
Polenta is a porridge made of corn flour.
Minestrone – vegetable soup with pasta.
Carpaccio – slices of raw fish or meat in olive oil and lemon juice.
Pancetta is a dish that is prepared from pork brisket, dried in salt and spices.
Frittata is a baked vegetable omelet.
Bruschetta – croutons with cheese and vegetables.
Grissini and ciabatta – breadsticks and sandwich rolls.
Biscotto is a dry cookie.
Tiramisu is a dessert based on mascarpone cheese and coffee.

Italian cuisine is incredibly diverse. But its uniqueness lies in the fact that Italians never stand still, inventing or borrowing something new. And not only cooks, but also ordinary people who want to contribute to the history of the development of cooking in their country.

Italian Soup with Minced Meat and Vegetables Recipe

December 22, 2022December 22, 2022 | By Creator

Almost every day the first course is on our table. Italian soups are very much to our liking, they are always delicious, hearty, with an abundance of vegetables and can quite replace a whole lunch. This recipe is very simple, but it will take some time to cook everything right.

Salad with Vegetable Fennel and Pepper Recipe

October 15, 2021October 15, 2021 | By Creator

Vegetable (Italian) fennel has a fleshier stem, which is suitable for salads. Thanks to the essential oils and anise aroma, this amazing vegetable gives an extraordinary taste to any dish. It is rich in phytonutrients, flavonoids (including rutin and quercitin), antioxidants and phytoestrogen.