Cooking Italian? Don't Forget These Basic Italian Ingredients

Italian food is one of the most delicious cuisines in theOlives and olive oil feature in many recipes from Italy.
world and Italian dishes like pizza are famed all overOlives are healthy because they are high in
the globe. In order to make the best Italian dishes, it isantioxidants and monounsaturated fatty acids. They
important to have some knowledge about typicalare good for both your cholesterol level and your
ingredients.heart. Extra virgin olive oil has the same health benefits.
This will help you to choose the right ingredients toExtra virgin olive oil is made from the first press of the
make Italy's top dishes and it will also give you theolives and is the best quality of olive oil. You can also
ability to create your own dishes by combining theseget seasoned olive oil, which adds a nice flavor to
delicious ingredients like a seasoned chef.marinades. You can drizzle a little olive oil over your
Sun-dried tomatoes are one of the nicest ingredientsfavorite pizza recipe to add flavor.
for cooking with. The best ones are marinated in garlic,Famous Italian Cheeses
oil, spices, and herbs and you can use them inCheese features in many of Italy's dishes and there
dressings, pasta dishes, pizza recipes, and salads. Youare various kinds of cheese to choose from.
can also get dry sun-dried tomatoes and you shouldMozzarella is widely used because it melts so well.
slice these and keep them in olive oil for the bestCombine mozzarella cheese with sliced tomatoes and
results. Canned artichokes are also great for pizzafresh basil leaves for a simple yet delicious salad.
recipes. Fresh artichokes are nice if you add some oilMozzarella is also used as a pizza topping on many
to them, as well as salt and black pepper, and grill themdifferent types of pizza. Bocconcini cheese is soft
over a charcoal fire for a smoky taste.mozzarella, which is not ripened. It comes in little balls
Have you tried prosciutto? This salt-cured, aged ham isand it is great for making pizzas, salads, and panini
thinly sliced and makes a nice addition to pizza andrecipes.
pasta. You can also use it in sandwiches and to makeProvolone cheese is semi-hard and the best provolone
canapes. Wrap a chicken breast in prosciutto for acheeses come in sealed wax casings and tied with
delicious dinner.strings. This is a really flavorful cheese. Parmesan is an
Pesto sauce is made with Parmesan, pine nuts, basil,aged, grainy cheese that is nice grated over pasta
lemon juice, and garlic. It is wonderful with salad, pasta,dishes and risottos. You should use fresh grated
pizza and in sandwiches. You can also use it to topparmesan for the best results since ready-grated
fish or lamb for a taste of Italy.parmesan is not real parmesan.
Olives and Olive Oil