Italian Fare Defines "Comfort Food"

There are few cultural cuisines that can fulfill the requirements of "comfort food" better than Italian food. Italian dishes are colorful, bright, and inviting for family style dining that all will look forward to. Known for fresh, wholesome ingredients, the air wafting from the Italian kitchen is filled with a savory aroma that is unequaled for whetting the appetite. It is easily understandable why Italian food is a favorite the world over.

A visit to a fine Italian restaurant is an adventure in cultural tastes and flavors, with Italian dishes reflecting the historical influences of a variety of regions. Each regional dish features distinctive flavors from fresh, seasonal ingredients prepared with cooking techniques unique to each region, reminiscent of their humble, peasant beginnings. Fish and seafood dishes offer a taste of the Mediterranean, as prepared in Italy's coastal regions, healthy and deliciously prepared from the freshest ingredients. North African and Arab influences can be detected in Sicilian regional dishes, along with the blending of cuisines of early Greek settlers and later French and Spanish influences. Fine spices, wines, and exotic ingredients were introduced by the Roman ships that traveled the world that quickly became incorporated into Italian dishes.

The best known and most widely enjoyed of Italian dishes is, of course, the pizza. Excavations from Pompeii revealed

pizza recipes from the 1st Century AD using ingredients still used today on contemporary pizzas. Today's pizza standard was established by the "Pizza Margherita" as prepared for Italy's Queen Margherita di Savoia in 1889. At that time, pizza was sold for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the street of Naples with the popular dish emigrating to the United States with Italian immigrants in the 19th century.

From the popular pizza and beer to a Veal Capriccion served with a rich, red wine, every member of the family will be delighted with the selections of the welcoming Italian table.

So many of what we eat today comes from over two centuries of Italian history. Through various influences throughout the centuries, including neighbouring regions, conquerors, high-profile chefs, political upheavals as well as the discovery of the New World, a concrete cuisine has formed to what is known today as one of the premiere cuisines in the world. Popular Italian dishes include many pastas and risottos as well as espresso coffee that originally comes from Italy. Also, traditional pizzas are very popular, which many pizzeria restaurants becoming popular all over Britain.

The reasons for Italian cuisine being so popular are that it combines very simple ingredients with seasoning and herbs, creating tasty mouth watering meals to suit most taste buds. You are able to get many vegetarian dishes as well as meat dishes which allows Italian cuisine to be very versatile. Another reason why Italian restaurants are popular is that the food that is made is fresh and healthy.