Do you enjoy the perfect Italian cooking? Are you fond of ordering food from the best Italian restaurants like the Vaticano Cucina Restaurant in Edmonton? Well, today we are going to share with you nine of the best key tips of cooking mouthwatering Italian dishes.
1. Use Fresh Produce
Most of the Italian dishes use only the very fresh ingredients. Therefore, it is prudent to buy the ingredients when they are in season. This helps the foods to retain the irresistible flavor for which Italian meals are known. When the ingredients are fresh, you do not have to add a lot of sugar salt and fat. They will be naturally tasty. In addition, fresh produce is more nutritious and thus better for your health.
2. Avoid overcooking the pasta
The best type of cooked pasta is al dente pasta. This pasta is firm to the bite. Al dente pasta is better for making you feel satisfied longer than overcooked, soft pasta. Be careful as you cook not to allocate over 120 g of dried pasta per individual. Any amount above this will be too much and might go to waste.
To cook the perfect pasta, add salt to taste to the boiling water. The salt should be added before the pasta is put in. about 4 tablespoons of salt should be enough for every four cups of water. Once you are done cooking the pasta, you can use the water residue as an ingredient for another dish, instead of throwing it away.
At Vaticano Cucina Italian Restaurant in Edmonton, we know that our clients value pasta as an important Italian dish. We thus take care to ensure that the right sauce accompanies each of the different types of pasta.
3. Be Keen on the Oils
In the kitchen, olive oil reigns supreme. You should use olive oil if you are keen on improving your health. It contains antioxidants, omega-3, and other good fats. As such, you should replace your regular cooking fats with the better quality olive oil.
Equally important, you need to know which olive oil to use depending on the circumstances. For example, Napolina Extra Virgin Oil is good for sauces, dressings, and dips. On the other hand, Napolina Olive oil is good for frying and roasting.
4. Avoid distractions during meals
Mealtimes should be treated with the decorum the meals deserve. Italians appreciate the value for sitting together and consuming a meal without distractions. Avoid the TV, videos and other distractions that may prevent you from appreciating the essence of the meal.
5. Oily Fish is good
Tasty seafood is a common sight on Italians table. You could try oily fish – at least two portions per week will be adequate. Try a wide variety, and avoid eating only the same type of fish each time. This way, you will be serving your loved ones healthy doses of nutrients each time.
6. How to dress your salads
Balsamic vinegar is very handy if you want to introduce flavor and nutrients in the way you dress your salads. Used with a little virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar is very good for its low-calorie count. It is far much more preferable than using say mayonnaise and other creamy salad
dressings.
7. Go slow on the sauces
Instead of immersing your pasta deep in sauce, just apply a light coat on it. This is a healthier option as it means you will be cutting out on fat content and unwanted calories. In the same way, avoid kinds of pasta like penne and rigatoni as they soak up more sauce.
8. Gremolata for added flavor
Gremolata is a good choice for added flavor on grilled fish and grilled steak. It is a better option compared to oily sauce and creams. It comprises raw, well-chopped garlic, lemon zest, and parsley. These ingredients ass lots of flavors when sprinkled on top of grilled fish or meat.
9. Fruit Dessert is best
Instead of the traditional desserts that may be responsible for added calories, try fruit salads. Fruit salads are healthier by all standards. Try to buy the fruits that are in season so that you can reap maximum benefits from their freshness.
As with everything else, ensure that you choose the right cheese for your dishes. You will discover that most Italian dishes have cheese as one of the key ingredients.
There you have it! These 9 key tips from Vaticano Cucina Italian restaurant in Edmonton are guaranteed to bring out the chef in you. Go ahead and try them today!
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