Espresso for Beginners

Espresso for Beginners: The Do's and Don'ts of Italian Espresso

coffeeTaylor Markarian
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

How to Make Your Home into a Pizzeria

italian foodFrancesco Quattrone
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

10 Must-Eat Mediterranean Street Foods

cultureTaylor Markarian
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

Famous Chef's Best Kept Secret Ingredient

Cameron Diaz
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

A Traditional Italian Easter Feast: Abbacchio a Scottadito

easterTaylor Markarian
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

Beef Braciole: A Rachael Ray Favorite

Beef BracioleTaylor Markarian
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 History of Panettone

dessertFrancesco Quattrone
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

The Traditional Italian Christmas Dinner

christmasTaylor Markarian
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

Italian Wedding Soup

italian foodTaylor Markarian
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

Grilled Polenta with Spinach and Cheese Recipe

italian foodTaylor Markarian
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

Italian Food Specialties by Region

italian foodTaylor Markarian
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, [...]
Chili Peppers

5 Ways to Spice Up Dishes with Tutto Calabria Hot Peppers

chili peppersSarah Bichsel
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 [...]