The history of Italian cuisine is around 2,000 years old. Italian cuisine widened after the end of the Roman Empire when different regions started to have individual identities and customs. Each of the states and cities started displaying their own distinctive method of cooking and different eating habits as well. But these regions carry the method in cooking which still replicate history and culture with a never ending supply of appetizers, desserts and main course dishes.
Preparation of pastas, which are the most famous and well liked by people also vary according to the region. In the past decade Italian food has advanced due to the influence of outside wealth like spices and other exotic ingredients which has also influenced its taste and appeal.
People from southern Italy prefer to have hard-boiled spaghetti where northern Italian people like to have soft egg noodles. Bologna is renowned for tortellini, Milan for risotto and Naples is famous for its mouth watering pizzas. The coastal regions of Italy are famous for preparing fish cuisines or seafood like: lobster, anchovies, swordfish, sardines, etc.
One of the most famous dishes of Italian cuisine is pasta. Many history books state that pasta was originally the product of China. The first pasta made in Italy is said to be similar to noodles and was not cooked in boiled water, but ovens.
Italian cuisine is appreciated by people all over the world and you can easily find Italian eateries in your city. But if you are interested in cooking Italian food you can prepare it at your home as well.
Two Typical Recipes for Italian Food
Rice with Barbera Wine
Ingredients
Rice 300 grams, one chopped onion, Barbera wine 3 glasses, butter 30 grams, oil, stock, sage, Parmesan cheese, salt
Method
Heat oil in pan and stir fry onion and sage until soft, then add rice and toast for some time and gradually add the wine to it. Add salt to taste and cook the rice on low flame for 20 minutes. At last add grated Parmesan cheese and let cool a little before serving.
Small Penne Pasta Ossola Style
Ingredients
Penne pasta 400 grams, 3 potatoes, bacon 100 grams, 1 onion, butter 50 grams, cheese 200 grams, salt and pepper
Method
First peel and wash the potatoes and then chop it into small cubes. In a pan heat butter and stir fry chopped onion and bacon. Simultaneously boil water and add chopped potatoes and salt to it and let it cook for 15 minutes then add the penne pasta.
Once the pasta is cooked drain it and mix it with the onions and bacon and sauté for a few minutes, finally add cheese and pepper and cover the pan so that the cheese melts properly.
