Italian Style Cooking

When people talk about Italian style cooking, they are usually referring to particular or familiar recipes. Italian food is so much more than that. Most people have no idea that they are cooking Italian most of the time. Many dishes that are not known for the culture they originate do come from parts of Italy. There are many fish, chicken, and other meals that are Italian as well. You may be surprised to know that you are cooking these much more than you think. How you cook and what you cook with is just as important as the main course itself.

The Freshness Factor

When it comes to Italian style cooking, fresh ingredients are the best option. The fresher the ingredients are in any type of dish, the better it tastes. Italian food is known for the spices and herbs that go into it. When you use dried and bottles spices and herbs, you are influencing the taste in the extreme. Dried spices tend to be more potent in some cases and weaker in others. You will really have to know what is what if you choose to not to go fresh. Fresher herbs also add to the look of the food you are eating. While dried herbs can be seen to some degree in lighter dishes, the darker, more traditional dishes will lose the luster from using them.

Shortcuts - Yes Or No

One debate when it comes to Italian style cooking is whether you should always cook the dishes from scratch of if you can use short cuts. Not all people have the time to make a sauce from scratch yet still want to enjoy a good Italian dish at home. Then benefits of making it all on you are that you can add as much and whatever you prefer to it. You do not have to stick to a strict recipe and you know exactly what is in your meal. Other people say that choosing to use a jarred sauce as a base is also acceptable as long as you add to it to make is your own. No matter what you prefer, as long as your meal is appreciated by you and your family that is all that matters.

Spicy Does Not Mean Hot

A common misconception is that home style cooking is hot. Spicy means flavorful, not hot. While some dishes may have a bite to them depending on what is called on or added as an ingredient, most of the Italian dishes use spice to make your mouth water, not try to make you sweat. People get really confused at time with the types of herbs that are used. Most of them are well known and inert. For those who love a bit of kick, you make have to add your own flare. If you like a great tasting meal that does not kick the senses into heat mode, try a favorite Italian dish today.