Italian Cooking Beyond Spaghetti
When I dream of a plate of Italian food, it usually looks something like this; spaghetti, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese, and garlic bread. However, that type of dish is as American as they come. What truly makes up an authentic Italian dish? Is Italian cuisine based on the spices and seasonings or possibly the way the pasta is made? What are some ways we can differentiate a true Italian meal from its American counterpart?
A Love Affair
If you know anything about the Italian culture, you already know about the passion. Italian cuisine is all about understanding the relationship between the people and the food. Yes, it's a love affair. Besides spending hours and hours eating their meals, Italian cooks also spend time searching for the right ingredients and preparing everything with love.
You'll find on the Italian table an array of dishes from appetizers to entrees to desserts, creating a culinary masterpiece, in appearance, aroma, and taste. With the introduction of new ingredients and seasonings through the ages, the Italian meal is constantly evolving.
A typical Italian meal is rich in local fruits and vegetables, making this cuisine one of the healthiest in the world. Another healthy ingredient used throughout the ages in Italy is now well known around the world. We are, of course, talking about extra virgin olive oil. Many Italians credit this ingredient for their robust health and beauty, which may be true. What we know for a fact is that olive oil tastes wonderful and imparts a nice richness and flavor to the Italian foods we love.
Pasta Brings Us Together
When it comes to Italian cuisine, the country is divided into regions, with each region having its own favorite ingredients and cooking methods. Each is unique and each is authentic. When it comes to pasta, however, there is no disagreement. The love of pasta unites each region in the country.
Whether you are using dried pasta or fresh pasta, there are some rules to follow when preparing a pot of pasta. Many American cooks make one common mistake; we tend to overcook the pasta, making it soft. Taking the pasta off the stove a little bit sooner, when you think it isn't quite ready, will bring the pasta closer to the Italian ideal.
Always start with a huge pot of cold, salted water. The pot of water should seem much too big for the pasta you are adding. Having lots of room for the pasta to move around in the pot will prevent the pasta from sticking to itself. And I did say salted water, didn't I? Yes. Add plenty of salt.
Bring your pot of water up to a rapid boil, drop your pasta in, give it a spin, and turn the heat down. Cook it now in the slowly boiling water just until it's al dente, or if you bite into a noodle, it bites back just a little. Immediately dump into a strainer or colander and DO NOT RINSE. This is another misconception. You don't want to wash away all the salt and starch in the pasta; that's where the flavor and texture is. Some folks like to add oil to the cooking water. That will help prevent the pasta from sticking to itself, but if you allow enough room for the pasta in the water, you won't have a problem. Oil may prevent your sauce from sticking to the pasta, however, so you can decide what's best for your dish.
Add your sauce to the warm pasta and the flavors will intensify. You can spoon in a bit of the pasta cooking water if you want a saucier sauce. If your recipe calls for cold pasta, just let it sit out at room temperature. It will cool off pretty fast. Or, you may cover the pasta and set it in the refrigerator for just a few minutes. Stir it up and it will be cool.
Put Your Slow Cooker to Work
If you read about a typical Italian meal, it might seem like it would take forever to prepare. Well, you might be right, in some instances. Like many cuisines, you can take as long or as short a time to prepare a meal as you like. But, you'll need a few tricks and recipes to speed things up if you want your house to resemble an Italian restaurant in no time. The slow cooker is an excellent way to take the work out of the meal and have more time for the important things like spending time with your family.
For example, lasagna is a popular dish that many cooks avoid because of the time it takes to prepare. However, even lasagna can be turned into a slow cooker sensation with a few simple steps. Set out your ingredients as you would if you were cooking it in the oven. Use a large ladle and put your sauce in the slow cooker, and layer with uncooked noodles and other ingredients until you are satisfied that you have enough, about 3/4. of the way full. Now you can 'set it and forget it' as they say. Set the slow cooker to low and cook it covered for about 4 hours.
Italian cuisine is loved not just in Italy, but throughout the world. It is simple enough to learn how to create authentic Italian dishes through practice and maybe even a cooking class or two. Remember, the secret to creating an authentic Italian meal is to focus on using the right ingredients, including plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits, and to treat your pasta properly! Have fun and experiment until you put your own spin on a classic meal right from the heart of Italy.
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