L'amore Italian Restaurant

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What Are The Different Types Of Italian Bread?

When you think about Italy, you probably think about high-quality food and drinks. Many people think about pasta, pasta sauce, wine, and cheese when they think about Italian dishes. On the other hand, Italy is also known for the tremendous quality of its spread. There are numerous types of Italian bread and if you are trying to figure out the right type of bread to go with your meal, it is important to be familiar with a few of the most popular examples. 

Focaccia Bread

Without a doubt, Focaccia is one of the most popular types of Italian bread. This type of Italian bread is baked in the oven and is commonly compared to pizza dough when it comes to style and texture. Usually, Focaccia bread is seasoned with salt, olive oil, and a variety of herbs. Focaccia is commonly used as a side for many entrees; however, it can also be used as a base for pizza. 

Rosetta Bread

Another popular bread that is found in Italy is called Rosetta bread. This bread is usually compared to a hollow roll. As a result, it is usually used to make sandwiches. Rosetta bread comes from round and derives its name from the unique nose shape that the role has when it comes out of the oven. 

Pizza Bianca Bread

It is difficult to talk about Italian bread without mentioning pizza. Pizza Bianca bread is a specific type of bread that is used for pizza. The exact style of pizza Bianca bread does vary from region to region. Now, this bread is commonly served as an appetizer and is even used for sandwiches. 

Ciabatta Bread

Similar to pizza dough, ciabatta is also a flatbread. Ciabatta is usually harder and texture and slightly less oily than pizza bread. Ciabatta bread is commonly used for sandwiches. It is frequently found in bakeries and grocery stores throughout not only Italy but the rest of the world as well. A lot of restaurants use ciabatta bread for their sandwiches. 

Select The Right Italian Bread

Ultimately, there are dozens of varieties of Italian bread. These are just a few of the most popular examples. If you are trying to find the right red to pair with your meal, it is helpful to speak to a professional Italian chef. Better yet, why not visit Italy and learn about the different types of bread?

 

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How To Pair The Right Wine With Italian Dishes

When you go out to eat at an Italian restaurant, one of the most common phrases you hear is, “would you like to see the wine list?” Of course, you want to make sure that you select the best wine possible for your meal. If you are wondering how to pair the right wine with Italian food, there are several tips that you should keep in mind. Take a look at some of the advice that we have put together below!

Go With The Bubbly For Your Appetizers

First, make sure that you reach for a wine that has bubbles for your appetizers. Some of the most common Italian appetizers involve quite a bit of salt. This might include arancini, a salumi plate, or a charcuterie board. Therefore, the touch of wine that accompanies sparkling wines is a great way for you to provide a bit of a festive start to your meal.

Reach For The Pinot Noir for Earthy Flavors

What are the most popular options is Pinot Noir. This is a wine that has a light body but an immense amount of flavor at the end. Therefore, this is an incredibly versatile wine that you can use to pair with your Italian dishes. In particular, Pinot Noir is great with earthy food. For example, if you are going to go with wild mushroom risotto, Pinot Noir is a classic pairing option. 

Pick Chardonnay For A Seafood Dish

There is nothing quite like fresh-caught fish from the Italian Riviera. If this is what you are choosing for your meal, then it is a good idea to reach for chardonnay. Chardonnay is a bit silky but also has a slight bite at the end of it. The smooth acidity makes it ideal for cutting through the creamy sauces that come in late accompany fish, shellfish, and other seafood dishes. If you are going with lobster fra Diavolo, then you should definitely reach for Chardonnay. 

Select Cabernet For A Steak Dish

Finally, if you are going with State, then go with a Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an assertive wine that can stand up to Rich meat without overpowering the flavor. The memorable sensations that you are going to create when you mix your steak with Cabernet Sauvignon are going to have you coming back for this meal again and again.

 

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What Are The Defining Characteristics Of Italian Wine?

When you think about Italy, one of the first thoughts that probably comes to your mind involves the quality of the wine. Italy is known for its why diversity of wine. One of the biggest reasons why Italian wine is so varied is that there are plenty of grapes that grow up and down the peninsula. Due to the diversity of grapes, there is also a lot of diversity in terms of the wine that Italy produces. If you are wondering what the defining characteristics of Italian wine are, it is helpful to take a closer look at how the wine is produced by each region.

Wine From Northern Italy

First, it is a good idea to take a look at the wine that is produced by Northern Italy. Northern Italy is bordered by the alps. Therefore, the climate here is very different than the climate along the Italian Riviera. This region is known for its white grapes and white wines. For example, Pinot Grigio is produced in this area of Italy. Furthermore, if you travel to Trentino and Lombardy, you are going to find the Champagne of Italy, which is known for producing some of the best sparkling wine and all of Italy. 

Wine From Central Italy

Wine from Central Italy is incredibly familiar to most people in the United States. This line is commonly used with pasta dishes, meat sauces, and olive oil. Furthermore, a lot of the wine from this part of Italy is paired with some of the most popular cheeses in the world. Central Italy is known for its incredible diversity and Landscape. Tuscany is the standard-bearer of this region. What are the most popular wines in this area include Chianti Classico, San Gimignano, and Bolgheri. 

Wine From Southern Italy

Finally, it is also important to take a look at Italian wine that comes from Southern Italy and the islands. Wines from this part of the country are much brighter in terms of their flavor than their earthy, strong Northern counterparts. The volcanic soil produces some of the best fruit in the world. In addition to grapes, this part of Italy is also known for its oranges and lemons. Because the Mediterranean Sea provides a tremendous amount of warmth, the wines of southern Italy provide flavor profiles that match. Fiano and Greco di Tufo produced in Southern Italy.

 

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How To Make The Perfect Italian Pasta Sauce

If you are looking for the best way to make Italian pasta, then it is important for you not to overlook the sauce. When people think about Italian pasta, they usually think about Al Dente perfection. Even though this is incredibly important for your pasta dish, the sauce is just as important. Italian pasta sauce usually has a strong base with a bit of bite at the end of it. The secret is in the ingredients. 

Select Fresh Ingredients For Your Foundation

First, you need to make sure that you select fresh ingredients as the foundation of your pasta sauce. Even though you can certainly purchase something out of a jar, this is not going to create authentic Italian pasta sauce. Make sure that you select high-quality, extra virgin olive oil. Try to find an olive oil that comes in a dark bottle instead of a clear bottle. If the light strikes the clear bottle, is going to ruin the olive oil quickly. Then, make sure that you go with fresh garlic cloves instead of garlic powder. This is going to dramatically improve the quality of your sauce. Finally, don’t skimp on the air. Oregano, fresh basil, and red pepper flakes are going to go well with fresh tomatoes to create the body of your sauce. 

Allow The Sauce Time To Mix

When you put all of the ingredients together in the pot, make sure that you do not rush the process. You need to provide the sauce with plenty of time to sit. Do not hesitate to taste it along the way. Even though you might be worried about overpowering some of the flavors with your herbs and spices, this is also an incredibly important part of making perfect Italian pasta sauce. Spices and herbs are going to go a long way toward creating the authentic thing. 

Select The Right Pairing

Depending on what you are planning on serving with the pasta sauce, there are plenty of sauces from which to choose. Some of the most popular examples include marinara, arrabbiata, and vodka sauce. Do not hesitate to mix and match your meat, noodles, and vegetables with these various sauces. This can go a long way toward helping you figure out how to make the perfect Italian pasta sauce. After a few attempts, you should be able to bring Italy right to your kitchen!

 

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Credit for most photos: Kay W. Eskridge: Images By Kay

Our Hours

Lunch
TBD.
Dinner
Mon – Sat: 4pm–9pm
Saturday Dinner: 4pm–9pm

Sunday Closed

Happy Hour
Mon – Fri: 4:00pm–6:00pm
No happy hour on Saturdays

Holiday Closures: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, sometimes Christmas Eve (call to check), Christmas Day

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