L'amore Italian Restaurant

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7 Interesting Italian Food Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

Italian food is often discussed yet rarely understood.  There are plenty of half-truths and myths surrounding Italian cooking and food.  Let’s take a look at some intriguing Italian food facts you might not have known.

Garlic is not Used in Italian Food as Frequently as Most Assume
Though garlic bread is quite popular in Italian restaurants, garlic is not used in Italian food to the extent that most imagine.  Just about everyone agrees garlic bread tastes amazing yet real Italians typically eat plain bread, possibly with olive oil.  Contrary to popular opinion, real Italian bread is not to be soaked in garlic and butter.

There is no Italian Wedding Soup in Italy
No one is quite sure where the “Italian” part of Italian Wedding Soup originated.  It is likely Italian wedding soup resulted from the combination of American and Italian cuisine.  Though this soup, comprised of meat, veggies, and stock, tastes quite scrumptious, it is unavailable in the vast majority of restaurants in Italy.

Real Italians do not Order Pepperoni Pizza
Pepperoni pizza is certainly popular in America yet it is not a top-seller in Italy.  In fact, pepperoni, spelled with a single “P” after the initial “E” actually means bell pepper in Italian.  As a result, you could easily order pepperoni pizza in Italy and end up with pizza topped with peppers.

Italian Coffee is Different Than Most Imagine
Coffee with milk is typically consumed in the morning hours throughout Italy.  Espresso is the coffee of choice enjoyed after meals.

Bread is More Than an Appetizer
Bread is best used to soak up the additional sauce remaining on the plate after a dish of pasta.  Therefore, it is a mistake to strictly eat bread prior to beginning the meal.  Rather, bread should be saved until the final third of the dining experience of even the very end of the meal to mop up any leftover sauce.

Authentic Italian Pizza has Thin Crust
Pizza originated in Italy yet most are unaware the authentic version of this tasty delight does not have a thick crust.  Rather, real pizza has a thin crust.  So don’t be surprised if you are served up a pizza pie with smaller crust than expected – it is the Italian way.

Hundreds of Pasta Shapes Exist
All in all, more than 600 varieties of pasta are available across the globe.  This means there are all different pasta shapes available for myriad Italian dishes.  From curly spiral pasta to straight spaghetti, tubes/penne, ravioli pockets, and beyond, the list of pasta variations are seemingly endless.

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Important Differences Between Olive Oils Used in Italian Dishes

When it comes to olive oil, the generic brand available at the local store simply will not suffice.  True Italians know there are hundreds of varieties of olives used to make the many different olive oils.  The olive oil used in a particular meal largely hinges on the specific appetizers and entrée served.  Tasty olive oil is slightly pungent and bitter yet does not overwhelm the palate.

The fresh olives’ fruitiness should emerge along with subtle pepper flavor.  In combination, these elements should form a well-balanced flavor with a lovely aroma and lasting taste.

No two Olive Oils are Exactly the Same
Some olive oils have a clean and crisp mouthfeel while others are comparably sweet and smooth.  When the words “light” or “extra light” are used to refer to olive oil, they describe taste strength as opposed to the number of calories.

Filtered and Unfiltered Oil
Unfiltered olive oil that has a rustic look and small amounts of skin/pulp might look quite tasty and authentic yet this is not always the case.  Excessive filtration or filtration performed incorrectly has the potential to affect aroma and flavor yet filtration is generally viewed as a positive as it prolongs shelf life.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is made in a mechanical manner without chemicals.  This is the highest grade available to it is not processed as much as other varieties.  This comparably high quality of extra virgin olive oil creates a litany of health benefits.

Olive Pomace Oil
Olive pomace oil is the oil extracted with the use of solvents stemming from the olive pulp after it is crushed.  Olive pomace oil has more of a neutral and bland taste with an elevated smoke point, making it perfect for meats and other foods that are deep-fried.

Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil is not the highest quality, sometimes providing a sensory defect.  Give virgin olive oil a try and you might find it tastes slightly similar to mushrooms.  Some virgin olive oil tastes like vinegar.

Regular Olive Oil
Refined or pure olive oil, typically referred to as regular olive oil, is virgin oil put through a refining process either with chemicals or charcoal.  However, solvents are not used to create refined/pure olive oil.  In some instances, refined or pure olive oil is combined with virgin olive oil for improved taste.

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An Inside Look at why Water is the key Ingredient for Delicious Pizza Dough

It is often said New York City has the best pizza because of the city’s superior dough.  However, the little-known truth is it is the water in pizza dough that makes the difference between a bland taste and taste that makes a truly indelible impact.  Indeed, New York City has the “champagne of waters” so it certainly makes sense its pizzerias have some of the best flavors in the land.

However, New York pizzerias are not the only ones with access to flawless water.  Give our pizza a taste and you will agree our dough is just as good as that of any pizzeria in the Big Apple.

Why Water Matters for Pizza Dough Taste

When it comes to pizza, most people are focused on the sweetness and flavor of the sauce, the freshness of the toppings and the crunchiness of the crust.  Water is often overlooked yet it is of the utmost importance.

It is not only the quantity of water that matters but also it’s quality.  Pizza dough consistency is largely dependent on the type and quality of water used.  In particular, water hardness, purity, and acidity are especially important.

We test the pH of our water to guarantee it has the optimal acidity.   Proper water acidity level ensures the dough ferments as it should.  The alternative is to let hard water’s comparably high alkalinity minimize dough yeast activity, ultimately rendering flat dough that proves unfulfilling.  We strive for water with a pH slightly below 7.

Water Purity

Pure water is necessary to make a delicious pizza.  Water with an elevated chlorine level compromises pizza dough culture.  This is precisely why we test our water chlorine level with regularity.  Rest assured, the water used to make our pizza dough and other doughs used in our dishes is as pure as possible.

Water Hardness

Water hardness is a reference to the level of magnesium and calcium as measured by parts per million or ppm for short.  Hard water has in excess of 200 calcium/magnesium ppm.  Soft water is characterized by calcium/magnesium with less than 50 ppm.

We strictly use water with medium hardness, measuring between 100 and 150 ppm to create pizza dough with unparalleled taste.  This precise level of water mineral content is necessary to properly feed dough yeast and facilitate the fermentation process for truly unbeatable pizza.

Give our world-class pizza a taste and you will agree it is delizioso.  Our secret is our water but – shhh – don’t tell anyone!

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Vegetarian? 5 Meat-Free Italian Dishes You’ll Most Definitely Enjoy!

When you think of famous Italian dishes, it is likely that you consider fresh spaghetti, smothered in meat sauce. You might imagine succulent sausages mixed in with homemade pasta or clams in a rich white sauce.

On the other hand, there are those who imagine a green salad, made with fresh Italian ingredients and herbs. Unfortunately, some vegetarians feel as if they are left in the dark, unable to eat many of the delightful delicacies found on a traditional Italian menu. This could not be further from the truth.

Italian fare includes a variety of vegetarian options, whether you avoid meat for personal or health reasons. Each dish is made with care, offering fresh ingredients that appeal to even those who eat meat regularly. These dishes are vegetarian-friendly and found on our menu.

1. Gnocchi

These dumplings, made with potatoes and ricotta cheese, are made fresh in-house. While gnocchi is often served with a meat-based Bolognese sauce, you can also opt to enjoy yours with alfredo or marinara instead.

2. Capellini Pomodora

If you love angel hair pasta, this capellini dish is a must-try. Your taste buds will show you shades of garlic, spicy basil, and a delicate tinge of olive oil. Pomodora sauce is chock full of zesty tomatoes, making it a fantastic summertime dish.

3. Fettucine

Don’t think that you need to order your fettucine with a side of chicken. This cheesy dish is just fine on its own. This fresh fettucine is served with fresh parmesan and alfredo sauce, which is made from cheese and butter that becomes a hearty sauce that richly coats the noodles to perfection.

4. Bruschetta L’Amore

If you are looking for an appetizer to tantalize your tastebuds while you wait for your main course, the Bruschetta L’Amore is a fantastic vegetarian choice. This dish offers freshly chopped tomato, onions, garlic, basil and extra virgin olive oil topped on grilled ciabatta.

5. Eggplant Parmigiana

Served alongside fresh sauteed spinach, eggplant parmigiana is layered with Italian cheeses and a fresh tomato sauce before it is baked until crisp. The eggplant filling remains succulent while the outside offers a crunch.

Simply because many pasta dishes offer many meat dishes does not mean that you cannot find a fresh and healthy vegetarian dish at our restaurant as well. Fresh ingredients can make for a delicious meal you enjoy as a full meal, not merely a side dish.

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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 – Fri: 4pm–close
Saturday Dinner: 4pm–close

Note: We're closed from 3pm–4pm
Sunday Closed

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

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