I am going to marry an Italian man. I want to know how best to cook him "his" food. I love my sweet, handsome gentleman with all my heart and soul. One of the ways I will let him know this is by learning how to cook Italian.
Please share with me anything you know about the fundamentals of Italian cooking-tools, foods to keep on hand, food selection and preparation, best recipes, making good pasta sauce, wines-especially sparkling….Tuscan lasagna, ideal kitchen…anything you want to share.
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aknaswonder - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
I agree with 7words, plus always have a Prosecco on hand. It’s a sparkling wine.
Use lots of fresh basil, red wine while cooking, love….
Try Chianti braised beef ribs
Fresh green bean salad with gorgonzola, pancetta, topped with fresh lemon and basil
Fried cassari with pita and fresh lemon wedges.
Many olive dishes.
It’s a food of love, and of the season. many good seafoods to be eaten. Maybe ask his Mom for some of her kitchen hints.
Be happy.
7Words You Can't Say on T.V. - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
the very basic of italian cooking, is to cook simple, fresh ingredients. Nothing fussy. Everything should be in season. Anchovy filets are an overlooked italian ingredient. I also keep a jar of chili flakes by my stove and add it to everything.
PattyCake - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
Use local, fresh and in season ingredients.
Keep it simple. A few perfect ingredients go a long way.
Here are a few easy but authentic recipes to get you started:
caprese salad
http://www.italianchef.com/capresesalad.html
cod with brocolini and olives
http://www.italianchef.com/codfishbrocrape.html
linguini with clams and garlic
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-best-of/linguini-with-clams-and-garlic-butter-sauce-recipe/index.html
Chef Mario Batali is a fabulous italian chef with tons of great recipes. Here is a link to his site:
http://www.mariobatali.com/food_wine_recipes.cfm
I doubt you’ll have any trouble pleasing your man with Batali’s recipes.
Hope this helps!
All the best.
SMARTY - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
The most outrageous sauce ever.
For the sauce
4 small small (8oz) cans of tomato sauce any brand.
1 regular size can of San Marzano (Cento brand has a San Marzano variety) imported plum tomatoes
Wesson vegetable oil, enough to cover the bottom of a med-size sauce pan, about ½ inch
5 cloves of garlic pealed sliced into slivers and coated with salt
buy a bunch of fresh basil
Pecorino Romano Imported Italian cheese (Locotelli type is best)
For the sauce. pour enough Wesson or other vegetable oil, to coat the bottom of a medium sauce pan about ½ inch worth of oil. Heat up the oil and add 5 cloves of garlic that have been liberally pre-salted and smashed with the side of a chef’s knife. Over a med heat, add the garlic and carefully watch it, making sure it softens, but does not burn.. (If you burn it throw it and the oil away and start all over)
While the oil is still hot add about 3 basil leafs, cook them until limp, 30 seconds. Start adding one of the small (8oz.)cans of tomato sauce, one at a time, until all four cans are added, if it looks too thick, at this point add ½ – 1 can of water.
Open the can of the San Marzano plum tomatoes. *
Pour the liquid into the simmering pot. Squeeze each tomatoes by hand and add the squashed tomatoes into the pot, add about 5-6 fresh leaves of fresh basil, some fresh ground black pepper (no need for salt, these is plenty of salt in the tomatoes and we are going to add Romano cheese at the end, which has salt) .
Let the whole thing simmer for about 25 minutes, if it looks too thick add tap water. Add at this point a few more fresh basil leaves.
After 25 minutes take it’s off the burner and add 3 Tbs of Romano (Locatelli) a varity of Pecorino Romano cheese.
•San Marzano Italian imported plum tomatoes are a type sold under many many brands, just look for the word San Marzano on the label. “CENTO†is just one of many brands
*Optional Add a bag of frozen “Trader Joes†Frozen meatballs let that cook along with the sauce for 25 minutes.
madonna_toller - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
A simple advise: ask his Mamma since she knows best what he likes!
She’ll also teach you anything about the italian kitchen.
banana - said
July 1 2010 @ 04:50
7 words is right… always use fresh ingredients, especially vegetables (rarely frozen or canned ones).
if you live in italy, that will be simplier to find the right ingredients… if you live abroad though, try to use the best you can find, put all your heart in it and he will appreciate the same!
don’t worry about studying italian cuisine books or asking questions about how to cook it… just practice and feel it!
what never misses in my kitchen is pasta, basily, rosemary, extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, parmigiano DOP…
all the best for your marriage!