Italian Food Culture, All About Joy, Family and Tradition

Certainly Italian food and culture go hand in hand, we may say there is no difference. For Italians food is not merely a means for survival. Food defines us. It belongs to our history and culture as much as Raffaello and Leonardo da Vinci do. 

The main aspect of Traditional Italian food culture
By all means this is conviviality and joy. And slowness of course. Enjoying a meal with friends or family is the main ingredient of any Italian dish. 

Italian Sunday lunches are the best example, a unique experience you should try at least once.

They say only 5% of Italians eat out on Sundays, while 95% are at home eating as much as humanly possible. Sunday lunch is usually spent at some relatives' home, in my case my grandparents'.

In any household there is always a grandma or aunt who thinks you are malnourished, too skinny and need to be filled as a Christmas turkey. You will not be able to leave your grandma's table if you do not eat every single crumble she thinks you need.

This will also be your fate if you are invited for lunch at an Italian gathering... be prepared!

Lunch usually starts between 12am and 1pm depending on the region, and can last literally all day, sometimes even until dinner time. It's the main occasion to bring the extended family together, and the only time ALL courses are included.

Starting from antipasto, closing with dessert, followed by caffe' and ammazza-caffe' (lit. coffee killer, a small amount of liquor or spirit). Even the poorest class used to save their meat for this special weekly gathering.
Classic antipasti are usually made of charcuterie, cheese, pickles and whatever the matriarch comes up with.
In Italy the main course is usually split in two, primo and secondo (first and second courses).Primo consists always of pasta, risotto or a soup like minestrone. Traditionally, pasta is freshly hand-made on the same day. Secondo varies from region to region but is usually based on meat or fish, with countless side dishes.

Usually at family gatherings it's all about traditional local food. This means the food will be excellent, locally sourced and tested countless times.

A few pieces of cheese usually close the main part of the lunch. But the fun has still to come... Sunday lunches go to the long distance with desserts, fruit, coffee and ammazza-caffe'.

The socializing fun usually starts over a cup of coffee and a bit of limoncello (lemon liquor). Forget about your afternoon commitments, if you have any. And be prepared to endless chats. 

Tradition and regional diversity

Another pillar of Italian food culture is regional diversity. Every dish, even the most simple, has roots in the past and traditions of that particular region. While travelling from the north to south of Italy you could experience as many different dishes as you travelled around the whole continent.

For example, in the north you can try polenta (a dish made with corn flour), but you will hardly find it in the southern regions.

Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan) is produced only in Emilia-Romagna because cows used for it are typical of that region only. As it is for buffalo mozzarella in Campania. 

Narrow-mindedness
I think the downside of Italian food culture is a sort of narrow-mindedness. The family matriarchs do not generally like to experiment with other types of cuisine... even if from other Italian regions. At family gatherings every one expects the same local traditional food.

The easiest way to learn Italian culture is to hang around at the local bars!

This aspect is quickly changing among younger generations.

I managed to serve macrobiotic brown rice and a raw chocolate dessert at one of my family gatherings, but my older relatives did not take this act with a light spirit.

Needless to say, Italian food culture has also strict rules.

Italian Wine Gift Baskets - Know Your Options

An Italian wine gift basket is a special choice for those who want to give wine to someone. Italy is known for producing and exporting almost all the great wine you would want all over the world.

For Italian producers of this drinks are researching and improving their techniques in making first class wines for their consumers. Italian wine are said to be the world's finest.

Wines are usually served at special occasions such as a big parties and gatherings. There are also some people and wine aficionados that can afford to buy and drink wine everyday even if there are no special occasions.

Wines are made up of 2 ingredients grape juice and yeast, although you could use any kind of fruit juice but the majority of wine maker prefers to make wine with grapes juice. The yeast is they say the secret of making wine for you need this ingredient in order to make it. Without this you can't make wine.

Here are some of the top grapes Italian uses in making their wines.
Red grapes:

• Nebbiolo


• Corvina


• Primitivo


• Barbera


• Sangiovese


• Montepulciano

White grapes:

• Vernaccia


• Pinot Grigio


• Trebbiano


• Moscato Bianco


• Verdicchio

If you want to buy a friend or you want to send someone a wine then here are some tips and advice for you when buying an Italian wine gift basket.

• First are you have to know something about wines, like what is the best wine, which wine tastes good etc.


• Next, you have to know what kind of Italian wine the person you want to give it too wants. Do they prefer red, or white? What brand do they like, which flavor etc.


• When you know what they like then that's the time you go local shopping or you can just shop online. For there are gifts basket that you can find online.


• You could browse some website that offers good deal and price, but you also need to be careful when you are searching online. For although searching on the net is much faster and easier there are fake websites that offers you things which offer you a great deal to lure customers in buying their products.


• Buy only to trusted and reputable website so you won't fall victim of online scamming.

Most Italians and Europeans love to drink wine not only on special occasions, but also for their normal dinner wine is served with water. Also before they serve the wine depending on the food you eat.

Red wines are usually served with red meat while the white wine is served with poultry and fish. However today many people do not apply the old rules. People nowadays loves to experiment so depending on their taste it up to them what food they want to pair with what wine.

Love to eat Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ today.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker - For Serious Chefs Who Love Italian Food

Anyone that enjoys Italian food such as pasta has an appreciation for the unique taste each type of pasta has. Many chefs, both professional and home-chefs, enjoy experimenting and making their own pastas. While making your own pasta will give you a sense of pride, it is something that is impossible to do without the proper equipment. Having your own pasta machine will help you immensely when creating your own pastas. In fact, if you want to make the best pasta possible, you need to get the Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker. Keep reading and you'll learn all about this product's benefits and how you can save money when you buy this item.

This Imperia appliance has been the "most sold pasta machine" in the world since 1932! The fact that it has maintained this prestigious achievement speaks volumes of its quality. It's not surprising that this product has such a good reputation though. After all, it is made in Italy. Who better than the Italians to make a pasta machine right?

While the Imperia SP150 hasn't changed much over the years, it does have a new and improved rounded design for 2010. The pasta machine will make fettuccine, lasagna dough and tagliatelle. It has the ability to create pasta at six different thicknesses also. It also has other features such as a wood grip handle, dough roller unit, removable double cutter head for fettuccine and spaghetti, a wide variety of optional attachments and an easy lock dough roller adjustment dial. With all of these features, it's easy to see why this product is the renowned machine that it is!

You may still be on the fence about whether you really need the Imperia SP150 or not. This is a decision only you can make, but if you are serious about making your own pasta, that's also good - you need this machine. There have been many people who have bought pasta machines that appear to be like the Imperia, but which have turned out to be poor knock offs. However, this Imperia pasta maker is the real deal! This is the original pasta machine you need to make the pasta you've always dreamed of.

While all the above facts are great reasons to add the Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker to your kitchen, the final reason is the fact that it is easy to clean up! Some pasta machines make cleaning up a hassle, but not this one. In fact, several owners have stated that it's very easy to clean. When a product is easy to clean, it makes it even more fun to use.

How to Save Money on The Imperia SP150 Pasta Maker
Although you may find a great deal on this pasta machine at your local retail store, you're likely to find an even better deal on-line. Many on-line vendors can offer products like this one at a discount because they don't have the overhead costs that traditional brick and mortar businesses do. If you search on-line, you will likely discover a retailer that can offer you even better savings and free shipping as well.

Love Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com now.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

An Italian Herb Garden

Italian cooking is one of the most influential cuisines in the entire world. It is undeniable that Italian cooking has integrated its way into nearly every home around the globe. What is the essential ingredient that spells the difference between great Italian food and mediocre Italian cooking? The secret to cooking exquisite Italian food is herbs.

This in truth may be a point of argument among cooks that would insist that it is the use of olive oil that would make it truly taste better. Let us take this into a test. Make a tomato sauce for spaghetti and use only olive oil and other ingredients without herbs. Make another batch of tomato sauce using vegetable oil and add in a little basil. Taste the difference and it will prove that a less than a teaspoon full of an herb will bring about a new dimension of flavor.

The one distinct thing about the way that Italians cook is that the ingredients that they use are what are profusely available in the region where they live. The Italians are practical cooks and have properly plan their daily fare with the use of low cost ingredients. For example, the ingredients that you would need to make pasta are basically the same kind of ingredients that are used in making bread sticks which are flour, oil and eggs. Then the sauce for the pasta is can be made with oil and herbs and the breadstick is can also be sprinkled with herbs.

To grow an Italian herb garden there are key herbs that must be included. The herb basil is the most often used herb in Italian cooking. It is one of the two main ingredients in pesto, used as a topping for pizza, and added to many other dishes. The next ingredient that takes a vital role in is parsley. This herb is chopped and sprinkle in a lot of preparations including main dishes and in bread. Another herb ingredient that the Italians cannot do without to be use in slow cooking dishes is the bay leaf.
And what would an Italian herb garden be without garlic, bell peppers, onions and chili peppers? A lot of dishes are presented using these herbs as the main ingredient. There are a lot of meatless pastas and pizzas that use these simple herbs as their main ingredient and the colors that it adds to the dish make it more scrumptious looking.

There are many other herbs that play a role in Italian cuisine. Why not take the time to try and grow them in and around your home? The herbs that Italians frequently use are easy to grow and can be stored for future use. If you grow your own Italian Herb Garden there is a whole variety of dishes that you can make at a low expense. Try making your own pizza and pasta from scratch, topped with herbs that you have harvested from your own garden. Your family and friends will thoroughly enjoy the treat, and you will realize that making your own actually saves you a lot of money. You will be able to feed your family their favorite Italian dishes more frequently. Start your own Italian herb garden and enjoy the gastronomic delight of a Taste of Italy daily.

Love Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire here.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

The Courses in Italian Dinners

Sometimes, due to constraints of time and resources, most people do not enjoy all the courses in a meal. This is usually limited to one or two courses, and not necessarily in the order they are supposed to be served. However, the nutritional content required needs to be observed whether a person will have a one course or a five course meal. When enjoying Italian dinners it is important to understand the courses that make up a complete meal. This is information will come in handy when you are a guest in one of such feasts or you want to host one of these to your guests. There will be no excuse to act ignorant in such an event. As with any other meal, you always begin with the appetizer. In this case it is referred to as Antipasto. This can include the hot and hot. This is not one meal; rather, it is a blend of meat and cheese recipes and some wine is also served. The first course is referred to as the primo. This part comprises of hot stuff. Some of these include rice, soups or pasta.

By this time your guests will be anticipating to get to the main meal because you have already teased them with what you have in store. The main course or the second course is called the Secondo. If the primo was super delicious you can keep the main course easy. Some of the food you can incorporate in this stage of Italian dinners is the fish, meat or even chicken. You can keep the potions light. You can also try recipes from this part of the world to make your meal indigenous all the way. When they are done with that step, you can bring in the third course known as Contorno. For this stage, you need a variety of vegetables. You can make a salad or cook them. You can let your guests enjoy a bit of every vegetable you have for this course.

The last course here is the dolce. This can be a piece of cake or cookies. If you want to go all out, your desserts can start with the frutta, which comprises of some cheese and fruit. Next you can bring the dolce. Once they are done, you can surprise them with coffee, which is called caffe. You can have your name go down in their minds as the Italian dinner host of the year by giving them some liquor to wash down the meal. For these as known as Digestivo, you must have prior knowledge about your guests. Do not serve liquor if they are teetotalers. These are steps you can master with time and with no doubt, you will impress when you host Italian dinners for family or friends.

Love Fresh pasta? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire now.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Napolitano Timballo - Recipe

Timbale
Timbale is a favorite in southern Italy and an easy dish to make once you have prepared the sauce and noodles. You can use store-bought pasta and sauce but you will never have the taste of true Italy. So please make the pasta and sauce if you decide to make this dish.

Ingredients (5 to 7 servings):

• 24 slices of fresh spinach pasta cut into 3" x 5" rectangles


• 15 oz of ricotta cheese


• 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese sliced or grated


• 3 mild Italian sausage links


• Salt and pepper to taste


• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese


• 1.5 to 2 cups tomato sauce depending on how much tomato taste you want (I suggest you try 1.5 cups on your first try)

Preparation
Cut the pasta into 24 slices each 3" x 5".

Boil a few quarts of salted water with a little olive oil and cook the pasta for about 6 minutes or until al dente. You can remove the pasta from the water with a skimmer/ladle after it has cooked. Place it on a dry-clean towel.

Meanwhile... Remove the skins from the sausage links, crumble into a frying pan, and brown. Drain and combine in a food processor with the ricotta cheese, tomato sauce and salt and pepper. Blend all the ingredients.

Layers
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom of a baking dish (approximately 10" x 14" and about 3" deep). Lay the rectangular pasta slices on the bottom and top with the cheese filling. Add mozzarella cheese slices on top of the filling. Repeat by making another layer with the pasta, filling, and mozzarella. You will probably end up using 3 pasta slices - make sure the last pasta rectangle has filling and mozzarella on top of it. You should have 8 of these rectangles in the baking dish.

Perfecto
I like to finish the dish off by putting two pieces of the Italian sausage that was cooked in the tomato sauce on top of each rectangle. Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan cheese and bake in the oven for 40 minutes. Enjoy.

Jack Botticelli

Like Italian dishes? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Great Options in the Italian Kitchen

If you are thinking about entertaining for the evening, you are going to want to be sure that you have what you need within your Italian kitchen. There are many fine tools that are used to create what you see on the table, without these devices you cannot accomplish the miracles of fine Italian cooking. With pots and pans lining the walls of the Italian kitchen, you will not be without something to make up that wonderful pasta or rice that will be the centerpiece of the table. Without the spoons that you use to stir the fine pastas and rice's, you o not have the expected great sides that will compliment the great main course.

Ovens or Hearths

Depending on how you prefer to cook, will determine whether or not you would like to use an oven or a hearth. Both have specific advantages and disadvantages; yet can easily perform up to code when it comes to cooking for the family. You will be surprised to know that a hearth will easily rival an oven in the cooking department, as they have been used for centuries. What the hearth will have trouble with however, is accurate and precise cooking. This means that it will have trouble controlling the accurate temperature, needed to cook certain meals. A hearth is designed to place foods within, and this will heat the foods at a very high temperature. This could be great for foods that need extreme heat for prolonged periods of time, yet the oven itself does offer more of a controlled environment.

Pasta Makers And Food Processors

There are many specialty items today that offer the convenience of simple food preparation, and you can either save time with these items or you can do things the old fashioned way by hand. When you elect to use these devices, you will have food that is prepared quickly yet you may not end up with exactly what you want. Food processors and machines that basically do all of the work for you cannot exactly be held accountable when things go wrong. You can only do so much with an item that is meant to make your job easier, as this is usually a quick sign that things will break down. Doing things from scratch the old school manor will allow you to control what is going on, and this will prove to be the smartest decision you can make when working in the kitchen.

The Best Tool Is The Right Tool

When it comes to the Italian kitchen and what you are going to accomplish there, it basically falls back on the tools that you are using to get the job done. If the recipe is detailed and very complex, there is more of a chance that you will need a specific tool to get the meal done right. Without this tool and compromising with something else, will only lead to a failed recipe will not be forgotten any time soon.

Love Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

A Good Italian Wine Sets the Tone

Whenever you are going to dine on fine Italian food, you should always leave room for some good Italian wine to close the meal out. The Italians are very serious about their vino, and whether it is a gala event or a simple Sunday afternoon with friends and family a good wine can set the tone and change a mood. The fact is the Italians appreciate the fine taste of a good spirit made from grapes that they grow in their own vineyards. Whether it is a deep red or a mild but crisp white, wine is always welcome at the dinner table. You will even find Italians enjoying a glass of wine in the early afternoon with a hearty cheese, and this is something that shows the Italians have a zest for life that few can match.

Home Made Brews

It is very common to find a good Italian wine that is actually made at home, by the person that is sharing it. Many people have their own vineyards in their backyards, and this is a great way to try and make a new and exciting brew on your own. The Italians enjoy many types of wine, and they usually have at least one type of vino at the dinner table. This gives the guests choices on what they wish to dine with. Not unlike many other things in the Italian culinary world, region can play a large role in how a specific wine can taste. This can even be said about household to household, and while the same grapes can be cultivated with the same soil you can still get two different tasting wines between neighbors.

Wine Day Or Night

Perhaps the best part of Italian wine today, is that there is no specific or predetermined time when it should or is consumed. Wine can be enjoyed basically at any point during the day, and it can start early in the afternoon or late in the morning when Italians actually start eating lunch. Wine is no less wonderful when it gets into the later hours of the evening, and you will find many Italians enjoying it with crackers and cheeses of various flavors while entertaining or visiting. Great Italian wine is usually enjoyed after a large meal, and you can find various wines available to the diner during the main course as well. This means that you get many chances to experiment with wines, and see which ones you enjoy the most.

Serious About The Vino

One thing you will learn very quickly about Italians is that they are serious about their food and their Vino. The culinary world would not be complete with fine Italian wines to compliment their fine foods. You will find a slew of great bold and robust wines just waiting to be experienced, and whether you are into the whites, blushes, or reds, you will find something that is just right for you. The flavor of the Italian wine is something to savor, and you will find it hard to turn down a second or third glass if offered.

Like Italian dishes? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire here.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Cooking Classes - Ignite The Passion For Italian Dishes WithLydia's Cooking Classes!

Are you one of the many cookery lovers or an individual with who feels like a novice when faced with the task of preparing new and varied meals? Well, whichever category you feel you belong to, we have just the cuisine to delight you with and help you build up your recipe book with interesting, exotic dishes and raise your skill levels at the same time by igniting the latent passion for good food - Italian style!

In fact, even beginners in the kitchen can learn how to put together a great tasting, healthy meal to enjoy with friends and family and it's as simple as tuning in to a cookery show like Lydia Italian cooking demos! You learn by observing the techniques, tips and approaches the Lydia Italian cooking shows offer views and need to follow simple instructions for whipping up the same delicacies in your kitchen - and just await the praise that is bound to come your way with these value additions to your cooking skills!

If you are wondering where to find Lydia Italian cooking shows, you don't need to look further than your food network timings on the TV guide or you can choose to log on to the program's web site after entering the term into any major search engine. You'll not only get all the information of shows to come with highlights of the recipes to be covered, but useful recipe links, details of past shows and live demos too!

We all know that with a little bit of play-way learning, the whole process is made more enjoyable and that's the case with the Lydia Italian cooking show too: with an expert Italian chef guiding you all the way from picking the right ingredients, to mixing, cooking and presenting them just right and advise on entire menu planning, who knows what you can do with all the time and energy you will save on this easy to learn, enjoyable method of cookery schooling.

The best part about the Lydia Italian cooking show is the authentic recipes shown here along with variations of cooking techniques and an interesting, visual plus audio format that is easy to understand and recall; perhaps you could record some shows to watch at leisure too. Thus, it's easy to ignite that passion for cooking great tasting and varied Italian fare by simply tuning in to the Lydia Italian cooking demo.

With a friend, the learning process is double the fun, so perhaps you can find someone who shares your passion for Italian cuisine or simply cooking - and then recipe swaps with other friends is enjoyable too! Anyone who wants to learn to be a better cook can benefit from watching Lydia Italian cooking shows and new recipes - or traditional ones with a twist besides getting to exchange fun tales on the whole experience!

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ link.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Sausage

There are several different foods from the Italian culture that are worth noting, but it is the Italian sausage that seems to come to mind so many times. This meat is absolutely delightful, and it is a meat that has a place in many great dishes not only back in the mother land but in North America too. This meat is available just about anywhere today, and there are various forms of the sausage that you can purchase in most grocery stores let alone the butcher shops. Finding the type of sausage that pleases you is really not difficult, you are just going to have to try as many as you can.

Excellent For Sauces

When it comes to Italian pasta sauce, you are obviously going to find some meat that will be added. One such meat that graces a wonderful sauce is the Italian sausage. This meat can be spicy and it is very easy to cut, making it a great meat to work with and an excellent choice. With mild, medium, and hot on the menu you are not going to struggle to find a decent meat for your sauce. These sausages can be cut into small disks or even chunks that are great to stew within a pasta or tomato sauce for hours at a time. Usually the meat is not cooked prior, as it is going to stew for a great number of hours within the broth. This will not only instill the sauce within the meat, it will bring out the great flavors of the meat into the sauce.

Finding The Right Sausage

It is not difficult today to find good Italian sausage, and depending on how much you are looking for and what variety you should have no troubles at all locating it. Most grocery and specialty stores carry this sausage today, and if you are fortunate enough to have an Italian butcher shop near your home you can find it there. This is not to say that you cannot find it elsewhere, it is simply to imply that there are great chances of finding this sausage at the fore mentioned locations first. Most deli's whether they are Italian or not, will usually carry this sausage as it very popular. Many sub shops and sandwich shops will carry it now as well, as they usually have a hot Italian sub on the menu.

Other Uses

Italian sausage is not solely reserved for Italian food today, as you will find many restaurants and sandwich shops all having this meat on their roster of fine foods. The sausage is relatively cheap, and you can bet that there are more than a few people that eat in these locations that consider it a favorite. This meat is easy to prepare, and you have almost endless options when it comes to its uses. Soups and stews are always popular with this meat in them, as too are great casseroles and bakes foods.

Like Italian dishes? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com here.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top SEO Marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

3 Great Ideas for Meatballs, Other Than in Pasta

I often get asked what exactly to do with the meatballs once they've been made. The simple answer of course would be to throw them in with some pasta sauce and serve with Spaghetti or Lasagna. However, sometimes 'simple' isn't what you're looking for - so to that end, this article will list 3 great ideas of what else you can do with your favourite Italian meatball recipes.

#1. A Meatball Sub

This is perhaps sticking to the simple side of things - however, it can't be left out of any comprehensive meatball related list. If you've ever been into a sub shop before, you'll likely have sampled the delights that these beauties have to offer. You'll need a decent sized roll to make the sub, though whether you go store bought or bake it from scratch is a matter of personal preference. Me, I like to bake the bread - as store bought rolls just can't compare with the taste of homemade bread, something which is a lot closer to that sub shop taste. Once you've got your bread, slap in the meatballs. Now, if you want to go for that really authentic taste, you'll want to add them with a proper sauce. After you've done that, add cheese and your choice of salad, and you've got the perfect lunch or just a fantastic snack.

#2 Appetizers

Again, very, very simple - but incredibly effective at parties or any kind of social gathering. Just take the previously cooked meatballs, put a cocktail stick in them and voila - you have the perfect snack that can be used either as a prelude to a larger meal, or simply finger food for your party guests.

#3. Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Maybe you're fed up of having meatballs with Italian-style food? This is a great little alternative. Assuming that you already have your meatballs ready, the ingredients required for this Italian meatball recipe are listed below.

* 1 can of chopped Pineapple, in its juice

* 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar

* 1 tablespoon of either soy sauce or tamari

* 1/3 cup of water

* 1/2 cup of brown sugar

* 3 tablespoons of corn starch

* 1 large bell pepper cut into 1 inch pieces

* 1 cup of sliced mushrooms

* 1 cup of thinly cut carrots

* 1 cup of beansprouts

* Either brown or white rice

Once you have all of your ingredients together, drain the Pineapple- making sure to save the juice. Place the pineapple to one side, and add enough water to the juice to bring it to about one cup of liquid, pouring it into a large skillet. Now, add the 1/3 cup of water, vinegar, soy/tamari, sugar and corn starch. Stir this all together until it makes a smooth mixture. Cook it over a medium heat and stir constantly until the sauce is nice and thick. Once it reaches the desired consistency, add the meatballs, pineapple and vegetables. Simmer the meal uncovered for about 20 minutes, and serve over hot rice for a delicious meal.

Like to eat Traditional Italian food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com now.

A branding strategies article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Italian Herbs - Healthy As Well As Tasty!

Have you ever wondered about the secret behind tasty Italian cuisine? Have you marveled at the distinct flavor of Italian food? Well the secret lies in a variety of herbs used. There are numerous herbs that go into the making of an Italian herb garden. Below are a few examples of the more popular Italian herbs.

1. BASIL (Ocimum sanctum)- Basil which literally means king is the one of the most popular Italian herbs. It is used in many Italian soups and sauces. It contains many vitamins, including vitamins A and E. It is also a good source of iron and trace elements. It has anti bacterial and anti viral properties and is also good for digestion.

2. PARSLEY (Petroselinum crispum) - This biennial herb is usually eaten uncooked, sprinkled just before serving or added at the end of cooking. It is the main ingredient of the famed Italian Gremolata. It is rich in vitamin c, iron, calcium and potassium. It is a famed antioxidant.

3. ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis)- Used with lamb, pork, potato and such, rosemary is a popular Italian herb. It is a good source of dietary fiber. It also contains iron and manganese. Rosemary stimulates and boosts the immune system.

4. FENNEL (Foeniculum vulgare)- Used mainly in sausages, it is also used to make herbal tea. Fennel is a rich source of phytonutrients and vitamin C. It has anti inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is also famed as an anti cancer agent
5. OREGANO (Origanum vulgare) - This is a very popular Italian herb used in marinara sauces. It is also used with lamb and beef. It is a good source of calcium, iron, omega 3 fatty acids and manganese. It has anti bacterial and antioxidant properties.

6. SAGE (Salvia officinalis) - It is used in a variety of dishes, including meats and salads. It contains a variety of flavonoids and phenolic acids. It is a proven antioxidant. Research suggests that it can boost ones memory.

7. BAY LEAVES (Laurus nobilis) - This Italian herb is used to flavor a number of sauces, soups and stews. It is also used to flavor meat. It is a good source of fiber, calcium and iron. It lowers blood sugar by making insulin work more efficiently. It is used as an herbal cure for headaches.

8. THYME (Thymus Vulgaris) - This mild, popular Italian herb is best suited for mild meats like veal and pork. It is also a good addition to vegetables, salad dressings and egg dishes. Thyme contains a number of flavonoids, like apigenin, luteolin and thymonin. It is a very good source of calcium and iron. It has powerful antioxidant and anti fungal properties.

9. MINT - The sweet smelling herb is an ingredient of many Italian sauces and soups. This Italian herb is a good source of proteins, vitamins and trace elements. It is good for the digestive system. It also has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties.

10. LEMON BALM - This "calming herb", is a member of the mint family. This herb has anxiolytic properties. It is said to be a cure to insomnia. This Italian herb is used to make tea, lemonade and is often added to salad dressings.

There are more herbs used in Italian coking but the above mentioned are examples of popular Italian herbs.

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire now.

A branding strategy article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital agency in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

The Top Rated Food Cities in the United States

It is no surprise that Americans like to eat. Whether it is high-end restaurants or fast food, Americans are always eating. This article discusses the overall best food cities in the United States. No, we are not taking fast-food into account.

No one will question New York City as a predominant food authority. From pizza to gourmet Italian, French, Asian, Sushi, Greek and any other type of food, New York has it. Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens in particular are packed with excellent restaurants.

Times are tough for the people of the Gulf Coast and it is a shame. My sister went to school in New Orleans and I had the privilege of going down to the city a few times over the past few years. Their Creole-style food is absolutely incredible and there is nothing else like it.

I hate to admit it, but Vegas has some of the best restaurants in the country. I guess this makes sense as so many people make money out there and don't know how to spend it fast enough. How about going to a top establishment like Aureole and doing the 9 course chefs tasting with wine pairing?

It saddens me that I have not had an excuse to visit San Francisco yet, because that is where all the food buzz is these days. Aside from establishments like The French Laundry, San Francisco is also known have incredible Tex Mex food and I cannot wait to get out there.

When it comes to Chicago, there are only two things you need to know: deep dish pizza and Alinea. OK, so maybe the first one doesn't really matter, but the latter will most likely be hailed as the best restaurant in the United States come next year.

The sushi in Los Angeles is rivaled only by Tokyo. Katsu-Ya, Matsuhisa, Sasabune and Urasawa are amongst the best. The other restaurants aren't half bad either!

So that's the list. These city's have the potential to get even better if the economy picks back up.

Love Traditional Italian food? Check out Cirrus Culinnaire link.

A brand loyalty article by Scotts DIGITAL - Top digital marketing company in Singapore and globally. Contact Scotts DIGITAL @ +(65) 9388 0851 or email to admin@scottsdigital.com for more information on how to brand your website in Google and generate more clients for your business.

Tuscan Italian Food - Its Amazing Taste Revealed

Tuscany is famed for its cities, its churches, its great works of art and its food. The countryside of Tuscany, the area centred on Florence is where Italian cooking reaches a high point, blending as it does the ingredients of the North and the South in a happy combination.

Tuscan food is essentially a variant on the Mediterranean diet. It is rich in olive oil, legumes, fish, fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables. The carbohydrates typically eaten in Tuscany, such as bread, pasta, rice and polenta, are low in fat. This diet is good for weight management and heart health.

If you are going to begin cooking in the Tuscan manner you need to stock your store cupboard with a number of ingredients. You will certainly need good quality, extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin oil is produced in the first pressing without the application of any heat. it contains all the minor ingredients that are so important both for taste and health.

You will also need dried pasta preferably made in Italy or according to traditional recipes and methods. Most fresh pasta sold in supermarkets is of poorer quality that good dried pasta and should be avoided.

Legumes, such as cannellini beans, borlotti beans, chick peas and lentils are essential. You will need some medium ground cornmeal for polenta. Avoid the ready made polenta and make your own.
The kind of rice you will need is arborio rice for risotto. You may be able to get hold of carnaroli, vialone or nano rice which are also often used in Tuscany. But they are not so widely available as arborio.

Balsamic vinegar is widely used in Tuscan cuisine, as are anchovies. For seasoning you need capers, dried porcini mushrooms and plenty of herbs.

Parmesan cheese should be bought piece not ready grated. The grated parmesan soons goes off and tastes terrible. Once you have tried the fresh kind you will never go back to grated variety.
Tuscan classic recipes include meat filet in balsamic vinegar sauce. You might use beef or pork for this dish. The steak is simply fried and then the pan is deglazed with a mixture of stock, balsamic vinegar, lemon, pepper and garlic. The resulting sauce can be thickened with a little cornflour but this is not essential.

You might begin your Tuscan meal with a typical Tuscan soup consisting of cannellini beans and vegetables. This soup also makes a good simple meal with a chunk of ciabatta or focaccia bread.
One of the great Tuscan favourites is bruschetta which consists of slices of bread spread with tomato sauce and cooked under a broiler or grill.

A famous Tuscan dessert is Schiacciata alla Fiorentina or Florentine sponge cake, which is a sponge made with olive oil, flavored with organge zest and made a golden color with saffron.

Finally, and most essentially, there is wine. Wine has been made in Tuscany since the time of the Etruscans who first domesticated the grapes that grew wild there. Their tomb paintings record convivial feasts at which the guests drank wine. The most famous Tuscan wine is, of course, Chianti, which is known all over the world. But you will encounter others such as Brunello di Montalcino. There are even some white wines such as Bianco di Bolgheri.

Tuscan food is often referred to as "slow food." That is to say it is produced, cooked and eaten slowly in contrast to the mass produced fast food that makes up such a large part of the modern diet. It preserves local culinary traditions that have been developed in Tuscany over centuries.

Like to eat Traditional Italian Food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ now.

How To Throw The Best Italian Dinner Party Ever

You walk into an Italian Restaurant - the whole experience is just wonderful - the smells, the atmosphere and hopefully when your order is delivered - the food. The background noise is all a part of the experience - it's often at a higher frequency than most restaurants but it's all part of the fun.
Why not take this same experience back to your own home and create a more intimate and less busy Italian dinner party? A dinner where people can enjoy a more leisurely dining experience within the comfort of your own home. A night where you can share your favorite Italian recipes with people who are important to you - or maybe even try out some new recipes?

Italian food never seems to lose its popularity. There's often a feeling of comfort and contentment attached to Italian food and the flavors are simply sensational. So, just how do you host a great Italian dinner party then?

1. Planning - In your planning, consider who you will invite and check the foods that they don't like or can't tolerate and set the date and time well in advance.

2. Invitations - Will you just invite your friends by sending them an email or can you do something a bit more creative with your invitation? You could attach a note to something very Italian. I saw a suggestion of sending the invitation attached to a small packet of biscotti or you could incorporate the colors of the Italian flag as the background (three vertical columns - green on the left, white in the middle and red on the left) on your invite.

3. Atmosphere - Do you want red and white checkered table cloths with chianti bottles as candle holders with wax dripping down the sides - just to give it that really authentic look? Or a plain white, red or green table cloth?

Try to get hold of some background Italian music like some opera for example. Some of Italy's best singers generally have included Enrico Caruso, Luciano Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, Mina and Claudio Villa.

4. Food - since Italians are renowned for taking great pleasure in their food, wine and the company of their friends dinners can often go on for hours. Italians see meals as a time to spend with family and friends instead of to gain immediate sustenance.

The number of courses served can range from three to six courses (called portate) or sometimes more courses!

You'll no doubt have some lovely smells permeating into the house before your guests arrive - you could also slowly bake some garlic bread in the oven so the smell is wafting through the house as your guests arrive. This will really let your guests know they've come to the right place!

You could start with antipasto which literally means "before the meal". This is also the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal.

Rather than hors devours offered on trays that guests enjoy before they are seated at the dinner table, antipasto is served at the table and signifies the beginning of your Italian meal together. An antipasto plate is usually placed at the center of the table. The antipasto dish doesn't even getting numbered as one of the courses.. it's just a given.

Diners are given small plates on which to place their choices. Traditional choices can include cured meats (prosciuito, mortadella, smoked ham and salami), marinated vegetables, olives, peperoni (marinated small peppers - not the meat called peperoni) along with an assortment of cheeses (like provolone, bocconicini and mozzarella).

The first course primo piatto (also referred to as simply primo) or minestra may consist of soup (minestroni perhaps?), pasta, gnocci, risotto or polenta - this should only be a small portion like a cup or so. This is a dish rich in carbohydrates.

The second or main course is called secondo piatto or piatto di mezzo which usually consists or fish or meat. Traditionally veal, pork and chicken are the most commonly used meat, at least in the North.

The side dish is called contorno and may consist of a salad or cooked vegetables. A traditional menu features salad along with the main course.

The first dessert which consists of cheese and fruit is called Formaggio and frutta - the cheese and fruit is usually served together.

Then it's onto Dolce - dessert such as cakes or cookies.

You should also serve coffee/espresso known as Caffè.

Finally, Digestivo or "digestives" which are liquors/liqueurs like grappa, amaro or limoncello - sometimes referred to as "coffee killer" or ammazzacaffe.

All these dishes sound great and I imagine when people see the number of courses it may seem a bit daunting but you only need serve as many courses as you choose. I have discovered a great website hosting 3000 free recipes from around the world. Under Italian, I noticed they offered 217 recipes so I'm sure you can find all you need there.

Love to eat Traditional Italian Food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com/ now.

Italian Noodles

Every culture has a certain food that is consider a staple, and when it comes to the Italians it is the Italian noodle that is the food of choice. This noodle known as pasta is basically as important to the Italians as rice is to the Chinese. This food was simple to make when food was scarce, and it is to this day a good solid food that can be depended on. You will find many great types of pasta that can be used either as sides for other dishes, or they can be the main course itself. Whatever you choose to do with pasta, you can be sure that you will not disappoint.

Healthy Noodles
When it comes to healthy Italian noodles, you can actually find some great varieties these days. Many whole wheat pastas are available on the market to purchase, or if you are so inclined and talented enough you can make your own. This pasta is the same as the white or yellow variety, yet it is less heavy, and contains less starch and carbs. This whole wheat pasta comes in all of the many shapes that can be found. Pasta is something that is used in so many dishes that it is something that you cannot be without in your kitchen. From soups and salads to dishes such as lasagna and spaghetti, pasta has a large place in the Italian diet. This is something that has gone on for generations, and it is not likely to ease up any time soon.

Plethora Of Shapes And Sizes To Be Had
When it comes to Italian noodles, you can be sure that there are several styles and shapes to choose from. The Italians are like inventors when it comes to Pasta, as they can forge new shapes seemingly at will. The tool and die makers for the pasta machines, have a great deal of experience when it comes to making molds for the pasta they envision. These noodles are used for so m any different recipes, it is actually understandable why the Italians would even need so many different shapes of pasta. Depending on the size of the dish, you can see pasta shapes that are so tiny they are just visible, all the way up to shells that are as large as a baseball. Whatever the occasion, you can be sure that there is pasta that will meet the needs.

A Good Filling Dish
One thing you will definitely not have to worry about when it comes to Italian noodles is that you will never walk away from the table hungry. There are so many large pasta dishes available today, that you are going to struggle to choose what you want to dine on. When you are finished however, you can be sure that you are not going to walk away from the table unsatisfied. Italian pasta is an excellent way to fill the belly, and you are going to love each and every bite.

Like to eat Traditional Italian Food? Check out http://cirrusculinnaire.com today.

Find Out What Are the Most Popular Italian Dishes

Italian cuisine is characterized, in particular, by an abundance of fresh foods of the Mediterranean region, which differs markedly from the original Italian cuisine of its attempts to imitate the world.

Among the typical products: 

• Vegetables (tomatoes, eggplants, zucchini squash, lettuce, peppers, artichokes)
• Wheat flour (pasta)
• Cheese (Parmesan, gorgonzola, mozzarella, mascarpone)
• Olives and olive oil
• Spices (basil, capers, garlic, rosemary, pepperoni)
• Fish and Seafood
• Figure
• Beef and lean pork
• Birds
• Legumes (beans, lentils)
• Fruit (lemons, oranges, peaches) and berries
• Mushrooms
• Almonds
• Wine, Italian liqueurs, grappa

Nowadays Italian cuisine is very popular. It includes many different products, and if you want to "get acquainted" with it this article might be very useful for you.

Talking about Italian delicacies - Pizza - known worldwide flan baked with tomato sauce, cheese and a variety of optional ingredients. Among the classic varieties of Italian pizza should be made such as the Marguerite (mozzarella, tomato, and oregano), Capriccioso, Diablo, Four Cheeses and Four Seasons.

History of pizza is rooted in the deep past and now no one will say when the first pizza was cooked. Not so long ago, pizza was considered a very simple meal in rural Italy, but from the moment when the Italians began to move en masse to settle permanently in the United States, it quickly became acquainted with the whole world. It is believed that the first time, combine cake, cheese and tomatoes guessed in Naples, so Neapolitans any pizza except his own, called sandwiches.

Another product representing exquisite Italian food is Spagetti, cannelloni and other numerous pastas. They certainly are served with one of the many traditional sauces, plenty of which creates a variety of dishes, united in Italian (as well as in English and many other languages) in one word "paste" (Italian pasta). Among the most famous and simple dishes: Spaghetti Napoli (spaghetti in Naples) - with tomato sauce, Spaghetti Bolognese (Spaghetti in Bolonsky) - with tomato sauce and minced meat, Spaghetti Aglio e Olio (spaghetti with garlic and oil) - hot olive oil and very lightly fried it with garlic.

Risotto - a very popular Italian rice dish, which, in addition to boiled rice, finely cut meat, poultry, cheese and vegetables (tomatoes, spinach, beans), oil, garlic, onion, pepper, gives the dish a special taste. Ingredients used for making risotto, do not have a precise quantitative and qualitative determination - all ready to face, depending on regional preferences and personal opinions about cooking "right" risotto. Ravioli - one of the traditional Italian Food, suspiciously similar to the Russian meat dumplings.

In every region of Italy you feed the ravioli in its special recipe, where the ravioli will vary in shape, size and filling. For example, they may be square, round, even in the shape of a crescent. Another distinctive feature of the ravioli is that regardless of the ingredients used for stuffing, it must necessarily to be added cheese, and most likely it will be loved by the Italians Parmesan.

Enjoy Lip-Smacking Traditional Italian Food Dishes

You can start with your stroll down those streets are overwhelmed by the vibrant features of the Traditional Italian Food under the traditional archway that proclaims the gateways to Little Italy. At these traditional Italian food restaurants, marvel at the intensive array of Italian foods including scores of best olive oils and the balsamic vinegars. Just pick up some of the recipes that are house-made, gluten-free sausages with the combinations of fine cheeses. You can check out the Italian food market at the corner of many countries that featuring loads of the local food and the other goodies including the live music too!

A Weekend Destination:

For a late weekend night, these Italian food restaurants treat you for slightly adventuresome eaters for mini calzones or the fried peanut butter recipes. Just bring a handful of coins so the children can try out some vintage of audio-video games. These restaurants are occupied by all needful attractions while you visit them for an espresso with the kids tackle the football tables where the pennies are also exceptional; you'll be definitely tempted to linger on the lovely patios.

Lip-Smacking Experience:

Traditional Italian Food offers you all kinds of Italian groceries that include a complete package of rainbow-colored pastas, frozen tiramisu and cookies. Their deli counter always keeps preparing some of Ottawa's finest handcrafted sandwiches. The next door will take you in their house of fresh pasta featuring meals along with the myriad types of pastas and incredible variety of delicious homemade sauces. To make a visit to these traditional Italian restaurants even more culturally enlightening, where you can pick the free Italian languages recipes and see that how much of it can be deciphered by you.

The Edible Description on Luxurious Italian Food Varieties:

A delicious range of some sardines stuffed with the orange-flavored breads crumbs along with raisins & almonds or some of tender veal tongue that layered with the rich onion broths over pan-fried scamorza cheese over it to give a taste on a newfangled American dish called €meatballs€ and €spaghetti€. People have the pride on its traditional textures that has been somewhat tucked under the enclaves of nostalgic feelings.

So, as the team of well-known chefs always keeps travelling back to the Boot to evaluate Italian genuine flavors that match with its modern sensibility. It has been a long overdue for the taste of Italian food in restaurant to get a fresh and healthy look towards the capabilities of creating new Italian tastes for a long span of time. And now we get the taste of their vibrant flavors of exotic by the nuts, salted fish & hot spices along with the double-fisted personal style, usually involved a pan-fried egg layer on atop lasagna and the steak.

The versions of famous Italic flavors that are alive on rice cakes are really supersized & deconstructed as €arancia€ a form of delicately crisp bocce ball of the fried risotto which is stuffed by the tender short-ribs stew and gratineed with the smoked caciocavallo cheese variants. These are posted over a green puree of the fresh peas that usually snuggled from inside and boosted with a delicious touch of mint flavor will defiantly give you an extravagant feel while taking a dip on it.

Italian Chicken Salad Sandwich & Healthy Food Recipes For Diabetics

I

Healthy Food Recipes For Diabetics

It is commonly misconceived that when you are suffering from diabetes you should be wholly dependent on a strict diet including fruits and vegetables which is not necessary. However, the diabetics are bound to be careful on what they should eat and what they shouldn't. In spite of this restriction we have a good many alternative healthy food recipes for diabetics.

Chicken Breasts - Dinner

Marinade Skinless chicken breasts in Italian dressing can be preserved in your fridge fresh for about eight to ten hours. As soon as you step in for cooking you should apply your favorite herb mix, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. Place them in the oven for about 30 to 35 minutes above 300 degrees. Make it sure that your chicken is cooked well to ensure a healthy diabetic food recipe before putting off the oven. If it is OK, you can serve it with fresh side dish, probably your favorite salad or even steamed vegetables.

Spanish Egg Roll - Lunch

Among many of the healthy food recipes that are preferred by diabetics, Spanish egg roll is another one. It is very simple that can be prepared at home in varied tastes. You have to scramble some eggs in the way you usually do, and add in some onion and diced peppers to your taste. After this, just adding some grated cheese at the top of the scramble, and spooning can give you a tortilla wrap. It can be rolled up to have a delicious, tasty, and funky recipe. It is also a healthy lunch that can be enjoyed by the family as a whole.

Raw food recipes - Breakfast

Another one of the healthy food recipes for diabetics you can make for breakfast at home is raw fruit cereal. Simply by using natural grains, and small cut pieces of your favorite fruits with nuts added to milk or mere water, you will get dramatically a delicious recipe. It's so simple and economic to cater your need. You can have such raw recipes preferably to substitute your regular food when you are in any journey near around. In case you cannot have specific fruit to your taste, you need not get back as you can add any fruits that are available at your reach.

If you browse online you will find many of such food recipes for diabetics. Just being diagnosed with diabetes does not imply that you stay locked to specific diabetic foods but you have lots of healthy food recipes serving to control blood sugar.

iTALIAN CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH

yield: 4 sandwiches

 

prep time: 15 minutes

 

total time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

1 lb. cooked chicken, roughly chopped
½ cup shredded Asiago cheese
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
½cup Breakstone’s sour cream
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
½teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 leafs of Romaine lettuce
Pesto (either purchased or your favorite recipe)
4 ciabatta rolls

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken, Asiago and celery to combine.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the sour cream, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.

3. Add the Breakstone’s sour cream mixture to the chicken mixture and gently toss to combine.

4. Spread pesto on the top and bottom of each roll. Place a leaf of Romaine on the bottom of each roll. Place an even amount of chicken mixture on top of each lettuce leaf.

5. Cover with top of roll and serve.

Please visit here for more Traditional Italian Food.

Italian Recipes: Traditional Roman Soup, Make Ahead Healthy Lunch Recipes

Italian cuisine is perhaps the most widely recognized and famous globally - nearly every civilized country has assimilated pasta and pizza alongside their own national dishes, and one can always find an Italian restaurant. But I wonder how much of what is regarded as "Italian food" actually comes from authentic Italian recipes. Pizzas are the most obvious example, having undergone major changes to accommodate to the American palate.

However, when you go back to it's roots, Italian recipes are essentially about good, healthy food - olive oil, vegetables and bread being the most common ingredients.
Today, I'd like to introduce you to a traditional Roman soup, to be served with warm bread. A simple French bread will suffice.

Ingredients

1 lb potatoes
1 litre of water
Garlic
Chilli pepper
Salt
5 oz Pelati tomatoes (or sauce)
1 lb of chicory
Extra virgin olive oil
Bread

Preparation 

• Pour the water into a hot earthenware pot (a large sauce pan will suffice).
• Cut the potatoes into thick slices, and crush two cloves of garlic. Add this to the water, along with the chilli pepper, 1 table spoon of salt and the tomatoes. Bring to a the boil, then reduce the flame and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
• Finally, add the chicory and simmer a little longer unless the soup thickens.
• Drizzle the olive oil on the bread and serve.
• This is a simple but delicious recipe, but it isn't so filling that no one will have room for dessert. May I suggest a little Tiramisu perhaps?

You can find more authentic, healthy Traditional Italian Food.

Lunch Recipes

The best way to beat having to eat a bad lunch is to simply prepare yours at home from healthy lunch recipes and bring it with you. Healthy lunch recipes that can be prepared the night before are great for avoiding having to rush in the morning. In this article, we provide you with some make-ahead healthy lunch recipes that are flavourful and easy enough to prepare. These healthy lunch recipes can simply be made during the weekend and stored in the fridge; pack each portion individually and just grab one on the go. Better yet, make some extra portions so that you can have ready-to-eat dinner should you come home too tired to cook.

Italian Tuna Salad

To make a streamlined version of no-cook Italian tuna salad, simply prepare the following ingredients:

About 12 ounces of light canned tuna chunks, drained

15 ounces of canned small white beans (cannellini or great northern beans), drained and rinsed

4 scallions, trimmed and chopped

10 cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

Simply combine all the ingredients and toss until well mixed. This salad can be kept in the fridge for up to 2 days. You can serve this salad on a bed of greens, or use it as a filling for a sandwich wrap. If you need extra calcium and calories, throw in some cubes of cheese for added flavour.

Fresh Strawberry Sandwiches

Sandwiches are good lunch options if you have to eat at your desk. There is no rule that dictates sandwiches should be made with meat, so try this refreshing twist. This fresh strawberry sandwich will fill you up just enough so that you don't get too sluggish for the rest of the afternoon.

To make up one fresh strawberry sandwich, you will need the following ingredients:

2 medium strawberries, sliced thinly

2 slices of thin whole wheat sandwich bread

1 tablespoon of low fat cream cheese

1/2 teaspoon of honey

1/8 teaspoon of freshly grated orange zest

In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, honey and lemon zest and mix well. Spread the mixture on the slices of wheat bread and place the fresh strawberry slices in between to make a light sandwich. If you will be brown bagging this, simply pack the cream cheese mixture together with the strawberry slices and just spread over the wheat bread slices at lunchtime.

Eating healthy food is very important to stay lean, healthy and happy.