Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italian. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Enjoy Two of the Best Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes


There are a lot of variants of making Italian pasta and they are all very simple. Typically, pasta or noodles have to be cooked in lightly salted water for 10-20 minutes (cooking time depends strongly on the type of flour used and the type of products). Salt is not necessary, it completely replaces spices. By the way, it can be eaten without cooking, washing it down with something. In any case, do not allow cooking in the mess. Suffice it to macaroni become opaque (white) and softened.

If you do not want to pour water, and with it part of nutrients, take in 100 grams of spaghetti around a glass of water and simmer with the lid on low heat. Then all the liquid has been absorbed or boiled out. The same can be done in a microwave oven, but a satisfactory result is not guaranteed.

Pasta in a literal translation from the Italian word for means "dough". This term means any pasta. Pasta should be of hard wheat, besides Italians love pasta "al dente", that is undercooked. This is an excellent source of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber. Most types of pasta, which can be seen on store shelves, cook pasta cereals. Pasta - affordable and nutritious base of any dish, just add smoked meat, vegetables, meat, nuts and legumes - and you expect a great meal. Add spinach, asparagus or beans, and pasta will be even more nutritious and useful.

If you are looking for the best Italian pasta recipes, this article is perfect for you. It will present you two top-rated pasta recipes which have shown the biggest number of positive reviews.



Pasta with Tomatoes and Mozzarella

You need: 400 g of any noodles or spaghetti, 1 bunch of basil, 12 green olives, 1 tbsp salted capers, a pinch of fiery red pepper 4 tablespoons of olive oil, 2 large cloves of garlic, 400 g tomatoes: 150 grams of mozzarella cheese.

Wash tomatoes in hot water and peel them. Cut into small cubes. Mix with chopped basil, chopped olives and capers, pepper, olive oil. Let it brew for 5-8 hours. Boil noodles. Tomato mixture when it's heating, add to noodles and finely diced cheese.


Pasta with Garlic and Chili

You need: 450 g spaghetti, 120 ml extra virgin olive oil (Extra Virgin); 5 large cloves garlic, chopped, 3 dry fiery red chili pepper, 1/4 cup of parsley.

Put the spaghetti boil in salted water. While its cooking, heat oil in a small heavy saucepan. Add the garlic and chili and fry until they begin to sizzle, but not yet browned. Remove from heat. Once the paste is prepared al dente, leave a part of it from the pot, where it was cooked, a small cup of water. Then drain the remaining water. Return the pasta to the saucepan, add garlic and chilies in olive oil. Put on medium heat and stir well until the paste becomes hot. If pasta seems too dry, add a little water, molded from the spaghetti. Then add the parsley, mix well and serve.








To learn more about preparing authentic Italian pasta and how to benefit from using the best pasta maker, try visiting bestpastamaker.com, where you will find this and a lot more tips including how to choose the right Imperia pasta maker to enjoy your homemade pasta together with your family.


Saturday, December 25, 2010

Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes


Americans and many other countries in the world have only recently warmed to term pasta. Having made only spaghetti and macaroni for generations the term authentic Italian pasta recipes was truly a blank canvas.

Home cooks and chefs today are becoming more sophisticated about what really are authentic Italian recipes. Well, Italian recipes are and can be simple or elaborate, practical or as foolish, store bought or made at home. But even more today, Italian recipes had become the world's most important culinary art, and almost where ever you go you will find an Italian restaurant on the corner of a road.

In the beginning people didn't knew much about how to boil pasta, missing some of the basic information. At the question: "How much water and salt does one need for one pound of Italian pasta?" S/he wouldn't  probably answer at all.

Instead today, there are more worse questions that you could be asked to answer for: "Should you add oil to the cooking water?" "How thoroughly should the pasta be drained?" Well, I know that for somebody might be tough to answer. So let me help you from the beginning, in the case that you still don't know today.

Four quarts of water for one pound of Italian pasta, one tablespoon of salt, never add oil to the water, and the pasta should still be slightly wet when drained.

Of course cooking is a combination of objective technique and subjective taste.

Lets move now to Italian pasta sauces determining the best  kind of tomatoes for making sauces, which is of course the diced tomatoes packed in water, not puree are best. When making "pesto" best is to pound the leaves to release the oil, blanch the garlic, and toast the pine nuts. The range of Italian sauces goes well far from simple cream sauces. Had you never tasted those made with beans and lentils? Seafood? Poultry and meat?

Here is where I invite you for further investigations, you will come across new Italian recipes learning the best methods for preparing pasta dishes. From pasta soups, pasta salads, and filled pasta dishes, as well as the basic of pasta making from fresh egg pasta to pasta without eggs. All this and a long tradition had made that endless number of Italian pasta recipes.

I hope that you will enjoy the process of discovery as much as the recipes themselves, made at home as in an authentic Italian restaurant.








Attilio Ferullo is the editor of Authentic Italian Pasta Recipes and you can get more information about his activity here: http://www.authentic-italian-pasta-recipes.com

One of Attilio's main passion is Italian food and lover of authentic Italian recipes. Most important he likes to eat well and healthy, no matter how much it will cost him. Living in the sunny Tuscany region of Italy, he had easily become an Italian wine and food expert, looking for what is really considered authentic Italian.

Copyright: you may freely republish this article, provided the text, author credit, the active links and this copyright notice remain intact.


Friday, December 24, 2010

Facts About Italian Pasta Recipes


Little doubt that Italian pasta recipes are famed across the world, but have you ever questioned that how these recipes are originated or how pasta is originated? I'm confident you have not done at all. Therefore let me to help you in informing about the description of one of several highly accepted food internationally.

Origin and History of Pasta

Although we all know that pasta is generally included in making Italian recipes, but in respect to historians its starting point is thought to be in China. The noodles were being first presented 4000 years back in the Shandong region of China. Unlike today's durum wheat noodles, those noodles use to be made up of foxtail millet and broomcorn millet.

There is so much of speculation on the subject of the foundation of this staple as North African's are eating 'Couscous', an analogous foodstuff like pasta, since ages. Today, pasta is made up of durum wheat that was first announced by Arabs in seventh century during their invasion on Sicily, Italy. It really is assumed that it was during 13th and 14th centuries when it was first officially introduced in Italy.

Kinds of Pasta

There can be various types of pastas incorporated in Italian pasta recipes. Macaroni, fussili, manicotti, penne and spaghetti are examples of the well-liked kinds. Elongated, small, bow as well as ribbon pasta; all have their individual purposes and benefits in the dishes. Sauces are effectively held with the little shell pastas. Spaghetti and noodles are well-suited for a pot of soup and baked preparations.

Ways to Present Italian Pasta

One can find various cold plus hot pasta preparations. Cold preparations are habitually served as starters. Hot recipes are normally consumed as side dish or as a complete meal. Pasta is prepared with different type of sauces. Sauce is usually either tomato based or cream based. Cheese, vegetables, meats, olives and herbs are the foremost ingredients of pasta sauces.

You possibly can easily discover a number of creative and unique Italian pasta recipes through internet. So, attempt them and cheer your folks.








For more pasta recipes GO TO: Easy pasta recipes


Monday, December 20, 2010

Easy Italian Pasta Recipe - Pasta With Roasted Vegetables & Fresh Herbs


Here is a quick, easy and delicious summer Italian pasta recipe that you just have to make for dinner tonight. Anyone can make this. Your family will feel like they are eating at an authentic Italian restaurant after eating this dish.

But before we get to this recipe, I would like to provide you with a few tips on how to buy the best quality ingredients for this dish.

Tips For Buying Your Vegetables

The key to this dish, or any dish that calls for fresh vegetables, is to educate yourself on how to choose the best ingredients. It can be confusing at the store with all of the different varieties, textures, sizes and shapes that vegetables are available in.

I try to only use organic fruits and vegetables. They may be more expensive, but they are tastier, higher in nutrients, and for the most part, free of any dangerous chemicals.

For this particular dish I use Roma or Plum tomatoes. A Roma tomato is a type of Plum tomato, and to the best of my knowledge, there is no real difference between the two. I like to use Plum or Roma tomatoes for cooking and making sauces. They are more meaty and have less seeds and juice than other varieties. They also taste better in my opinion.

Choose tomatoes that are heavy for their size and have a deep rich color. This deep rich color not only indicates a tastier tomato, but it also is an indication that the tomato has a higher supply of the healthy ingredient "lycopene".

Smell the tomatoes. They should smell fresh and earthy.

Choose tomatoes that are smooth and free of cuts, blemishes and soft spots.

When choosing your squash , make sure it is firm and heavy for its size.

Examine the skin for any cuts or soft spots. Look at the stem and make certain it is not discolored or shriveled.

Choose squash that is smaller and younger as these are usually more tender.

THE PASTA

Am I really going to devote a section of this article to pasta? Can't you just use any old pasta? Does it really make a difference?

In my opinion, yes, it does make a difference. There are many varieties of pastas on your supermarket shelves, but not all are created equal. I have tried many different brands of pasta and always find myself coming back to Barilla.

It just cooks up perfectly, every time. When I say perfectly, I mean "Al Dente". When Pasta is cooked "Al Dente", it should be firm, but not hard. Cooking pasta to this perfect state does require practice. Follow the instructions on the back of the box. They are usually quite accurate. My recommendation would be to taste the pasta a minute or two before the suggested cooking time is reached.

INGREDIENTS

Here are the ingredients that you will need. These measurements are by no means set in stone. Not everyone has the same preferences. You can easily adjust the ingredients below to suit your taste. Cooking is all about experimentation and I find that many of my recipes evolve over time.

1 Pound of Barilla Pasta - I use penne. I have tried other types of pasta like spaghetti and ziti, but penne seems to have the best texture and holds up the best with the ingredients in this dish.

3 - 4 Yellow Summer Squash Cut Into 1/2 Inch Pieces

3 - 4 Roma or Plum Tomatoes Cut Into 1/2 Inch Pieces

4 Cloves of Garlic Peeled and Smashed

1 - 2 Tablespoons Fresh Thyme Chopped

1 Cup of Torn Fresh Basil Leaves

1/4 Cup of Fresh Italian Parsley

1/4 Cup Asiago or Parmesan Cheese Plus a bit more for serving

Several Drizzles of Olive Oil

2 Tablespoons of Unsalted Butter

Salt and Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Add your vegetables and garlic to a large baking sheet. Drizzle vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir so that vegetables are coated well with the olive oil.

Put the vegetables in the preheated oven and roast , stirring occasionally, until vegetables are browned. Make sure they do not burn! It shouldn't take longer then 30 minutes.

While the vegetables are roasting, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain pasta but reserve a cup or so of the pasta water. Return the pasta to the pot.

Add the roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, cheese, butter, a drizzle of olive oil and salt and pepper to the pasta.

If the mixture is dry, add some of the reserved pasta water.

Toss and serve. Top with cheese if desired.

Enjoy!








Ralph Serpe is a passionate home cook and webmaster for http://www.chefability.com. Follow this link for more easy Italian cooking recipes and tips like this.


Saturday, December 11, 2010

Kraft Noodle Classics, Tangy Italian Spaghetti Dinner, 8-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 24)

Kraft Noodle Classics, Tangy Italian Spaghetti Dinner, 8-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 24)Spaghetti & traditional spices, grated parmesan cheese. Just add tomato paste. When we were growing up, dinner was a hearty, flavorful meal made from wholesome ingredients and prepared with mom's special touch. But with today's hectic lifestyles, who has time for all that work. With Kraft Spaghetti Classics, a homemade meal like your mom made is only minutes away - all you need to do is add tomato paste to the specially-blended, tangy herbs and spices. Kraft Spaghetti Classics will help you make a great-tasting meal your whole family will love - in only 15 minutes.

Price: $44.45


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