Italy is famous for arts, music and style – but most of all for it`s iconic FOOD. The birthplace of Michelangelo has influenced food culture around the world unlike any other country. Italians master not only the art of cooking, but also the art of eating. In Trattorias and Osterias, large families gather around good food, celebrating a unique culture of eating & socializing. A small journey through Italy`s food culture – and why Italy is in fact Eataly.
– Italy is Eataly –
PASTA
Pasta is a firm part of the everyday Italian meal. From classic Spaghetti Napoli, to Amatriciana with flavorful bacon or Penne Arrabiata spiced up with hot chilies – The variations are endless. Besides freshness and love, a good pasta needs a couple of ingredients.
Classic Tomato Sauce
- Ripe fresh tomatoes
- Salt /Pepper
- Garlic
- 1/2 Onion
- Olive Oil
- Pinch of sugar
- Piece celery (finely chopped)
- Piece of carrot (finely chopped)
- Fresh Basil
– Pasta is part of the everyday Italian meal –
PIZZA
Pizza is one of Italy`s most famous culinary exports. A baker in Naples created a pizza for queen Margherita resembling the colors of the Italian flag – red (tomato), white (mozzarella) and green (basil). They named it after the Queen – and Pizza Margherita was born. Since then it has grown into one of the most recognizable symbols of Italian food culture in the world.
“A baker in Naples created a pizza for queen Margherita resembling the colors of the Italian flag.”
Homemade pizza is easier made than you think. You only need 3 basic ingredients: Flour, yeast, water and salt.
Homemade Pizza
- 250 g flour
- 30 g fresh yeast
- About 125 ml water (lukewarm)
- A pinch of sugar
- Salt
Instructions
- Pour the flour into a large bowl and form a whole in the middle of the flour. Crumble the fresh yeast into the whole, add some of the water, a pinch of sugar and stir with a fork, mixing in a little of the flour from the side. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and leave it for about 15-20 minutes for the yeast to rise.
- Add the rest of the water and mix everything well to a supple dough, add more water if needed. Knead with your hands to feel if the texture is right.
- Cover the dough and leave it again for at least 1 hour at room temperature for it to rise. (The longer you leave it, the more fluffy the texture will become)
- Roll out the dough on a floured work surface, add tomato sauce, fresh garlic and toppings according to your taste and bake the pizza until crunchy for about 25 minutes at 220°C.
Picturesque Restaurants
Il Gatto Nero meaning “The black cat” in English is a fine Italian eatery at the shores of Lake Como. The scenic panorama and beautiful ambience are luring stars like George Clooney, who dines at this favorite spot on a regular basis. Via Monte Santo, 69, 22012 Cernobbio CO, Italy http://www.ristorantegattonero.it/
