Global Cuisines and Culture: Italy

Every culture has its own cuisines.  Often the geography and culture of a country determine its foods, recipes and ways of cooking.  Take, for example, Italy; this is a country with varied regions that affect the kinds of cuisine produced.  As we know, sauce-laden spaghetti is not the only kind of food that comes from Italy.  This country of many regions produces different culinary delights depending on its geography.  In fact, the cuisine is so varied, you could spend a month or more trying just a few recipes from a given region.


Italy is a culinary Eden with its rich array of flavors, tastes and textures.  Food is a sensual pleasure and no food seems to evoke this experience quite like the creations from this Adriatic county.  After all, this is a country of Venice and its famous glass, gondolas and Risi e Bisi (peas and rice); of Rome and its famous art, architecture, fountains and Saltimbocca, a well-known veal dish;  of Tuscany and its villas, olive oil and wines; and Sardinia, the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea known for its spectacular beaches, suckling pork and pecorino cheese.

Italian food is made up of fresh vegetables, seafood, aromatic spices, flavorful olive oils and wonderful pastas.  In the movies of Ancient Rome, the tables are always laden with rich food and drink.  You will be happy to know that many Italian recipes are very simple and easy to make.  Much to my personal delight, many call for anchovy fillets.  I love anchovies!  The flavor can enrich a dish without overpowering the flavor of the other ingredients.  Done right, you never know they are there.


Italian culture and cuisine has a rich history.  Discover for yourself some new Italian recipes.  Not just pizza and spaghetti.  Make your own pasta.  It's not as hard as you think.  Try something with anchovies for a change.


And, if you want to re-create some of the magic you can find in the recipes of some of America's favorite restaurants, click the image below.

Moroccan-Style Salmon with Couscous for Home Cooks

Home cooks are always looking for interesting dishes for family and friends to sample.  Try this recipe from Morocco for an exciting taste.  The flavors blend beautifully. Fresh coriander is not always available, so you may substitute 1 teaspoon of ground.

Moroccan-Style Salmon with Couscous for Home Cooks

Ingredients:

1 small onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tbs olive oil

1 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes with juice

4 tsp honey

1 tsp grated lemon peel, grated

3/4 tsp ground cumin

1 1/2 tsp lemon juice

Salt and black pepper to taste

1/2-1 tsp cayenne pepper to taste

6 salmon fillets, 4-6 oz each

2 Tbs chopped toasted almonds

2 Tbs fresh coriander, chopped

3 cups cooked couscous or rice

Directions:

Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil in a medium skillet over

medium high heat until golden. Stir in tomatoes with juice, honey, lemon peel and cumin. Simmer 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in

lemon juice and season with salt, black pepper and cayenne.

Meanwhile, season salmon fillets with salt and pepper. Broil 4-6

inches from heat, allowing 10 minutes cooking time per inch of

thickness, measured at the thickest part. Place each steak on a

dinner plate. Top with tomato sauce. Sprinkle with almonds and

coriander. Serve with couscous.

6 servings

Anchovies: A Mediterranean Essential

Many people turn up their noses at the thought of anchovies. Either they have had a bad experiences with the fishy taste or someone did not know how to use them to bring out their delicious flavor.

I am an anchovy lover from way back. The first time I had them was when I was in college and had them on a pizza. I thought the taste was pretty weird at first. However, I tried them again and just loved them.

They add so much flavor to meats and poultry. They are just great in mashed potatoes and in sauces. They are extremely popular in Mediterranean cooking and especially in Italian and Spanish cooking and recipes.

Here is a delicious recipe from the cookbook, Mediterranean, published by Hermes House

Olive and Anchovy Bites

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chilled butter
1 cup finely grated cheese, such as
Manchego or Gruyere
2-ounce can anchovy fillets in oil,
drained and roughly chopped
1/2 cup pitted black olives, roughly chopped
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Sea salt

Makes 40-45

1. Place the flour, butter, cheese, anchovies, olives and cayenne pepper in a food processor.
2. Wrap the dough loosely in plastic wrap. Chill for 20 minutes
3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Roll out the dough thinly on a lightly floured surface.
4. Cut the dough into 2-inch-wide strips, then cut across each strip diagonally, in alternate directions, to make triangles. Place on baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve.

Discover the secret recipes from your FAVORITE restaurant and easily cook them yourself in Your Own Kitchen!

3 Smoked Salmon Breakfast Sandwiches

You do not have to always follow a recipe exactly. There are times when I want to try out a recipe, yet, there are ingredients I do not have on hand. So, I improvise, because there is a certain taste I want. ( I rarely do this with baking unless I am just testing)

For example: When I have smoked Salmon available and I do not have bagels, I use what I have. I mix up a Dijon dressing or I may use store-bought creamy Horseradish sauce.

So, for breakfast this morning, I had this smoked Salmon sandwich:

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Sandwich #1

Smoked Salmon pieces or slices.
Sliced tomatoes
Laughing Cow Swiss
A fried egg
A Dijon mustard dressing (See below)

Toast the bread
Spread one slice with Laughing Cow Light Swiss
Pile on Salmon pieces
Add sliced tomatoes
Fry an egg in olive oil
Add to sandwich
Slather Dijon dressing on remaining slice of bread
Cut in half
Enjoy!

Dijon Dressing

3 TB Light or Low Fat Mayonaise
2 TB Dijon Mustard (More or less to taste)
Mix until smooth

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Sandwich #2

Whole Wheat Mini Bagels
Smoked Salmon pieces
Brie cheese

This one is so easy. For budget concerns, use Trader Joe's Smoked Salmon pieces and Trader Joe's brand Brie. They also have packages of wheat and white mini bagels. This little sandwich is also a simple lunch to carry to work or to a pot-luck brunch. Guests devour them!

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Sandwich #3

Bagel or Whole Wheat Toast
Smoked Salmon
Brie or Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb Cheese
Thin slice onion
Tomato slice
Dijon Dressing (See above)

Try These Famous Restaurant Recipe Secrets

Fast Chinese Food Inspired by 2008 Beijing Olympics

Think Chinese Cooking is Complicated and Takes Too
Long?

Not so!
Many Chinese recipes are quick and easy.
And, delicious, too.
Chinese cooks have families, jobs, and
other things to do besides stay in the
kitchen all day--just like you.
Take a break from ordinary fast food.
You will and your family will love it !!

Learn the Step by Step Instructions for Making
Specific World Famous Restaurant Dishes in YourOwn Kitchen!