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Fresh
Do you why Italian food tastes and smells so good? Because everything is made with only fresh ingredients! In Italy, when we go shopping, we buy food for that day only. I remember from when I was small, going to the market with my mother, buying only the necessities for a day, fresh pasta, dura bread, meat for the pasta sauce, salad, vegetables and fruit….tomorrow (like Rosella Hoara said" It's another day"!) a different day would mean different shopping. Nothing was planned because I it depends on the feeling of the moment. My tip to you too – buy fresh. |
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Simple
Why simple? So you can really taste the individual ingredients. I try not to use more than five ingredients at any one time. For example, the all time favorite pasta sauce, Napoli has only three ingredients. It consists of fresh tomato, basil and garlic (of course olive oil, salt and pepper) or the pizza margherita, which has basil pesto on it too. My tip here – to taste good, it doesn't need to be complicated, just well balanced. |
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Ingredients
Sometimes, I get frustrated when I see a menu describing Italian dishes as full of garlic or herbs. This is wrong. As I said before, to be Italian, food must be fresh, simple and well balanced. I can guarantee you that a super "garlicky" Bolognese sauce is not Italian.
The most common Italian ingredient is olive oil and it is a fail safe way to really finish something off – you know, make it that bit yummier. It is used in almost every Italian meal, from appetizers all the way to bread and pastry. Other common ingredients are, of course, tomato, basil, parmesan cheese, parma ham, truffles (white and black) don’t forget pasta!
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Homestyle
I live in Australia now, so when I returned home to Italy a few years ago, I was somewhat sad to see the influence of the modern (American) cooking style. But there are chefs (one got really up set on national television) that are still fighting against that, why? Because Italian cooking is not about looks, but about smells and taste. For example, how many people don’t drink coffee but just love the aroma! How many of you have seen a good looking lasagna? And how many of you have found recipes starting with the phrase "My mum use to cook this when we were little…" or "this recipe has been in the family cook book …"Homestyle cooking is what made people fall in love with Italian food.
Of course when we have a feast it is usually with the family. The reason why home cooking is the best it is because it is prepare and made for the people we love most, everything is made with care and attention. My tip? When you are in Italy and you are invited for lunch…just say: 'si'!
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Tradition including traditional meals throughout the year
Italy is full of traditions and "sagre" (the local product festival). In Norcia there is "la sagra del tartufo" and in Perugia "la sagra del cioccolato". But there is also one for the parmesan, parma ham, porcini mushrooms and so on… Traditions are often linked to food, for example New Years Eve, with the "cotechino con lenticchie" (braised pig leg with lentils).
To celebrate the Epiphany, we usually prepare a lasagna then carnival with the renewed frappe o crostoli, zeppole (fried and custard filled chou paste).Italy is full of traditions and "sagre" (the local product festival). In Norcia there is "la sagra del tartufo" and in Perugia "la sagra del cioccolato". But there is also one for the parmesan, parma ham, porcini mushrooms and so on… Traditions are often linked to food, for example New Years Eve, with the "cotechino con lenticchie" (braised pig leg with lentils).
To celebrate the Epiphany, we usually prepare a lasagna then carnival with the renewed frappe o crostoli, zeppole (fried and custard filled chou paste).
During Easter there are so many cakes such as the most famous "La Colomba di Pasqua" and chocolate eggs with a surprise inside. We also like the "coratella' (sauté chicken offal) and "Casatiello" a specialty bread from the city of Naples.
Before Christmas there is much festivity and celebration of the (dead) saints. This is when biscuits like "oss the mort" (dead people bones) and fave dei morti (dead people macaroons) are baked. Then Christmas… come on do you really need to know more that you already know? I can only tell you that if you are invited for a Christmas dinner start to fast two weeks before and make sure you eat something before you go! Italians are notorious for making people eat more then they need and feeding them until they sleep. Anyone who has been to Italy will be familiar with the phrase " mangia che sei secco!" (Eat! You look skinny!").
During Easter there are so many cakes such as the most famous "La Colomba di Pasqua" and chocolate eggs with a surprise inside. We also like the "coratella’ (sauté chicken offal) and "Casatiello" a specialty bread from the city of Naples.
Before Christmas there is much festivity and celebration of the (dead) saints. This is when biscuits like "oss the mort" (dead people bones) and fave dei morti (dead people macaroons) are baked. Then Christmas… come on do you really need to know more that you already know? I can only tell you that if you are invited for a Christmas dinner start to fast two weeks before and make sure you eat something before you go! Italians are notorious for making people eat more then they need and feeding them until they sleep. Anyone who has been to Italy will be familiar with the phrase " mangia che sei secco!" (Eat! You look skinny!").
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We dare you to put us to the test
• We can cater for any event , small and large.
• We make cakes for every occasion from weddings, to birthdays and all other special celebrations
• We offer Italian cooking courses. Simply send us a message.
• Or if you’d like to know more, or send us your feedback, you can contact us at any time. |
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