When you begin researching information about different fats and their role in your diet, you will find quite a bit of conflicting information. However, almost everyone can agree that olive oil – especially extra virgin olive oil – is a substance that is actually good for you.  That’s great news because that means you can drizzle it on your salad and use it to fry your chicken, without the guilt. Read on to discover the top five health benefits of olive oil that you probably didn’t already know.

1. It’s Full of Antioxidants 

Extra virgin olive oil is a favorite for many recipes because it is a nutritious ingredient. In addition to being a good fatty acid, it is also full of modest amounts of both vitamins K and E. However, what is even better is that olive oil is full of antioxidants. These antioxidants are able to help fight off serious diseases and cases of inflammation. Antioxidants also help to prevent the cholesterol present in your blood from getting oxidized, which in turn helps prevent heart disease.

2. It Offers Impressive Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Many experts believe that a leading driver of a number of diseases is chronic inflammation. This includes serious diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome and even cardiovascular disease. Olive oil has been proven to help reduce cases of inflammation. In fact, there are some studies that show that the antioxidants in olive oil can inhibit some of the proteins and genes that cause inflammation, begin with.

3. Prevent and Protect Against Heart Disease 

The most common cause of death in the world is heart disease. However, it is a rare occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea region. When interest in this peaked, people began extensively researching this diet.  What they found was that the key ingredient of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. When consumed, it helps lower your blood pressure and protects against oxidation of LDL particles, which helps prevent heart disease.

4. It May Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease 

This is considered the most common neurodegenerative disease in the entire world. A key feature of this disorder is the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in brain cells. In mice, a study has shown that olive oil helps to remove this plaque from brain cells. While this is not scientifically confirmed, it is believed that olive oil may help to prevent Alzheimer’s.

5. Pain Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis 

This condition is characterized by painful and deformed joints. According to research, olive oil may help inflammatory markers while reducing the oxidative stress in those suffering from this condition. It has shown to be especially beneficial when it is combined with fish oil.

If you have plans to attend an Italian wedding, you are in for a real treat when it comes to the food selection. That’s because there really is nothing quite as delicious as authentic Italian fare.  Keep in mind, you won’t experience real Italian cooking just anywhere, but you can feel confident that when attending the nuptials of a couple where at least one of them is Italian, you are going to encounter a couple of the dishes on this list.

Bruschetta

This dish is made of thick slices of bread, which have been grilled. After grilling, the bread is rubbed with garlic and has olive oil drizzled over it. In some cases, the bread is then topped with herbs and tomatoes. For most purposes, this is served as an appetizer and is the ideal way to provide snacks for guests attending a cocktail hour.

Ravioli

Another dish that is commonly served at Italian weddings is ravioli. This is a type of dumpling that is made by inserting a filling of your choice (cheese, meat, etc.) between two thin layers of pasta dough. While ravioli can be served alone, it is often served with either pasta sauce or broth. This is how ravioli originated as a type of traditional Italian dish.

Italian Wedding Soup

Traditional Italian wedding soup is made with green vegetables, typically cabbage, spinach, kale, lettuce and/or escarole. Meat is also added, with the most common types being sausage that contains parmesan cheese and Italian parsley and meatballs, and then it is all cooked in a chicken-based broth.

Chicken Dish

Chicken is one of the most popular main dishes for Italian wedding receptions. Some options include spaghetti with roasted peppers and chicken, chicken parmesan, chicken Sorrento and chicken piccata pasta. Each of these are considered traditional Italian dishes and are often seen at Italian weddings.

Hot Berry Tarts 

When it comes to dessert, the Italians definitely do it right. Hot berry tarts are a popular wedding desert filled with delicious fresh fruit and all the traditional pastry makings. It is a great addition to a summer wedding and something all the guests are sure to love, whether they’re Italian or not.

Regardless of if you are planning an Italian wedding, or just have plans to attend one in the near future, you are definitely in for a culinary treat! The dishes highlighted here are just a few of the things you are sure to experience at this event.

You don’t have to attend an Italian wedding to have great Italian food. Stop by L’Amore for a little taste of Italy.

Lasagna is a great food. Ideal for holidays, great for babies, an indulgent Sunday dinner and even a “welcome to the neighborhood” gift. However, where this seemingly simple casserole gets its greatness is in the execution. The good news is, there are a few tips that can help ensure you make the perfect lasagna every time.

Choose the Right Recipe

If you have never made lasagna before, or even if you have and there is room for improvement, the first thing you need to do is find and use the right recipe. This may require a bit of research. Make sure you also read the reviews of what other people say about the recipe. This will provide quite a bit of insight regarding how the recipe will turn out.

Buy the Best Ingredients

In most cases, all-beef isn’t the best option. While most use ground beef in spaghetti sauce, in lasagna, sausage or some type of pork is best. A beef-pork combo is especially flavorful.

Also, if possible use whole milk ricotta and mozzarella, with fresh being the best option. While part-skim milk is fine, the flavor will be blander. Keep in mind, lasagna isn’t exactly a “diet dish,” so going full fat with the milk and cheese products is going to provide the best flavor.

Take Your Time During Assembly

You need to purchase the right lasagna pan if you don’t have it yet. This means you need one that is at least three inches deep so you won’t have the top of your lasagna bubbling over the side. Also, put some sauce in the pain first so that the first pasta layer doesn’t stick.

As you begin layering, follow this order: sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, sauce. Keep following this pattern until you reach the top. Take your time with assembly and make sure the top is fully covered by cheese so the noodles don’t get brittle.

Don’t Overstuff/Stack

As mentioned before, if you pan is too shallow, or you stack the lasagna layers too high, it may result in the mixture bubbling over the side and into your oven. You can avoid this by stopping just below the top of the pan.

Avoid Overcooking

Make sure to cover your lasagna with foil before baking it. Set your oven temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an hour. When the hour is up, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes so the cheese becomes golden brown. Allow the lasagna to sit for about 10 minutes before you cut it to keep the layers from sliding apart.

Using the tips here will help you create an amazing lasagna that everyone will be excited to dive into. Not ready to tackle lasagna just yet? Let L’Amore do the hard work. Stop in today for a little taste of Italy.