Italian cooking is a wonderful hobby that can enrich your life with delicious food, culture, and fun. Italian cooking is based on using fresh and seasonal ingredients to create simple and authentic dishes that are full of flavor and nutrition. To get started with Italian cooking, you can buy a good cookbook, watch some online videos, join a cooking class or club, or visit an Italian market or restaurant. You will soon discover the joy and satisfaction of making your own pasta, pizza, salad, and more.
Italian Cooking
as a hobby
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Life is a combination of magic and pasta.
Federico Fellini
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Italian cooking is based on the principle of simplicity and quality. Italian cuisine is known to pay close attention to the ingredients used, and it’s based on the principle of what you see is what you taste. Italian food consists of fresh, healthy and amazing quality ingredients, such as olive oil, garlic, tomato, basil, cheese, pasta and wine. It also uses simple and authentic cooking styles, such as grilling, roasting, baking and boiling.
Terms
Basic lingo for orientation.
- Al dente: This term refers to the ideal texture of cooked pasta, which should be firm to the bite but not hard.
- Antipasto: This is the Italian word for appetizer or hors d’oeuvre. Antipasti are typically served before the main course and can be a variety of dishes, such as cured meats, cheeses, vegetables, and salads.
- Aromi: This term refers collectively to herbs and other flavoring ingredients like garlic or ginger.
- Bianco: This term means “white” in Italian and is used to describe dishes that are made without tomatoes. For example, a pizza bianca is a pizza made with white sauce and cheese.
- Bolognese: A meat-based sauce that originates from Bologna, typically made with ground beef or pork and tomato sauce.
- Bruschetta: Toasted bread rubbed with garlic and topped with tomatoes, olive oil, and other ingredients.
- Cacciatore: This term means “hunter” in Italian and is used to describe a dish that is made with meat that has been cooked in a tomato sauce with mushrooms, onions, and herbs.
- Cannoli: Crisp pastry tubes filled with sweetened ricotta cheese and often chocolate chips or candied fruit.
- Carbonara: A pasta dish made with eggs, cheese, and bacon or pancetta.
- Cassata: An ice cream bombe typically made with ricotta cheese and candied fruit.
- Focaccia: A crusty flatbread that is often topped with olive oil and herbs.
- Gelato: Italian-style ice cream that is made with milk, sugar, and flavorings.
- Gnocchi: Small dumplings made from potatoes or ricotta cheese.
- Marinara: A tomato-based sauce that is typically seasoned with garlic, onions, and herbs.
- Minestrone: A vegetable soup that often includes beans, pasta, and other ingredients.
- Mozzarella di bufala: Fresh cheese made from water-buffalo milk that is commonly used in pizzas and salads.
- Pasta: This is a type of dough that is made from flour, water, and eggs. Pasta is a staple food in Italian cuisine and can be served in a variety of dishes, such as pasta with tomato sauce, pasta with pesto, and pasta salad.
- Pesto: A sauce made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.
- Risotto: An Italian rice dish that is cooked slowly with broth and other ingredients, such as mushrooms or seafood.
- Soffritto: A mixture of chopped vegetables that is cooked in oil or butter. Soffritto is often used as a base for sauces or soups.
- Tagliatelle: A type of pasta that is made from eggs and flour. Tagliatelle is typically served with a meat sauce or a cream sauce.
- Tiramisu: A dessert made with layers of ladyfingers, espresso, and mascarpone cheese.
Term Videos
First Steps
How to break the ice and make a start. One Aha! moment is all you need.
- A meal kit or recipe box is an easy first step, providing ingredients and instructions. Search for options in your area.
- Buy an Italian cookbook. It is more kitchen-friendly and safe than a laptop or a smartphone. Also, it will always be around to inspire you.
First Steps Videos
Italian cooking is not rigid or complicated, but rather flexible and expressive. Italians are not afraid to experiment with different ingredients, flavors and dishes, and create their own versions of the classics. They also learn from other cuisines and adapt them to their own style. For example, pizza was invented in Naples by adding tomato sauce to a flatbread brought by the Arabs. Italian cooking is also influenced by modern trends and techniques, such as slow food, fusion cuisine and molecular gastronomy.
Products
Essentials to have.
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How-Tos
Step-by-step tutorials.
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One of the secrets of Italian cooking is using fresh and seasonal ingredients that are in season. This gives the dishes more flavor, nutrition and authenticity. Italians love to shop at local markets or farmers’ markets, or grow their own herbs and vegetables if they have space. They also cook specific recipes in different times of the year according to produce availability. For example, mushrooms are typically a fall food, while eggplants are the ultimate summer vegetable. This changes from one region to another, though.
Books
Get read-y.
Articles
Further reading.
audio and Video Articles
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Websites
Go-tos for information.
- 17 Introductory Recipes for Italian Cooking | Food & Wine
- 47 Classic Italian Dishes From the Old Country | Bon Appétit | bon appetit
- Best Classic Italian Recipes – Easy Traditional Italian Dinners | delish
- Explore delicious Italian recipes to try today | Cookpad
- Italian Food Forever
- Italian recipes | BBC Good Food
- Italian Recipes – Cooking with Nonna
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Movies & TV
Nothing like a good film or a show for inspiration.
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The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you’re hungry again.
George Miller
FAQS
Get a clue.
Q: What are the essential ingredients and equipment for Italian cooking?
A: Some of the essential ingredients for Italian cooking are olive oil, garlic, onion, tomato, basil, oregano, parsley, cheese, pasta, rice, bread and wine. Some of the essential equipment for Italian cooking are a chef’s knife, a cutting board, a large pot, a skillet, a colander, a wooden spoon and a cheese grater.
Q: What are some easy and delicious Italian dishes to start with?
A: Some of the easy and delicious Italian dishes to start with are spaghetti aglio e olio (spaghetti with garlic and oil), caprese salad (tomato, mozzarella and basil salad), minestrone soup (vegetable and bean soup), frittata (egg and vegetable omelet), pizza margherita (pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil) and tiramisu (coffee and mascarpone cream dessert).
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Apps
Smart start.
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Courses
Get smart.
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Community & Near You
Get together.
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Italian food is not just about eating, but also about sharing, enjoying and expressing emotions. Italian cooking is a social and emotional experience that brings people together around the table. Italians love to spend hours eating, talking and laughing with their family and friends. They also have a passion and pride for their food that is contagious and inspiring. Italian food is a way of life that reflects their values, traditions and personality.
Tips
Additional advice for beginners.
Video Tips
Italian cuisine is very diverse and forms part of the healthy Mediterranean style of cooking. But what makes Italian cuisine so unique is that it varies from one region to another, reflecting the history, culture and geography of each area. For example, northern Italy is known for its rich and creamy dishes with butter, cheese and meat, while southern Italy is known for its spicy and tangy dishes with olive oil, tomato and seafood. Each region has its own specialties, such as pizza from Naples, risotto from Milan, pesto from Genoa and tiramisu from Veneto.
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Additional Information
Hobby attributes.
| Attributes | Value |
|---|---|
| Activities | |
| Fields | |
| Locations | |
| Participants | |
| Skills | Attention to Detail, Attention to Health, Concentration, Creativity, Cultural Awareness, Fine Motor Skills, Memory, Multitasking, Research |
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