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October 5, 2019 by Kim Abbott

The Italian Guide to Diet Secrets

It’s well-known that Italians love food, so how do they stay so healthy when they seem to eat some much? It has a lot to do with their Mediterranean diet, but there’s more to it than just what Italians eat – it’s also about how they eat. Read on to discover the Italian secrets to dieting that result in health and vitality.

The Mediterranean Diet

This diet consists mainly of lots of olive oil, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and unrefined cereal, a moderate amount of fish and dairy products, and a small amount of meat products.

Take Your Time Dining

Italians are not in a rush. They love to enjoy their food. In fact, you’ll never see an Italian walking and eating. They just aren’t in a rush, like most people in the States. Instead, they sit and leisurely enjoy their meal, savoring every bite. Eating slowly helps aid digestion, which is vitally important for your health.

When You’re Full, Stop Eating

Because Italians take their time dining, there’s no question when they feel full. One they’ve had enough, they stop. They don’t go for seconds. Overeating does happen in Italy, but it’s not exactly the norm. Italians know when to call it quits and let their full bellies digest.

Balance Your Plate

Italians have a knack for balancing quality and quantity. While not everything they eat is super healthy, they know which foods to eat more of and which foods to eat less of. Pile more veggies and go sparse on the fatty foods. It’s all about balance.

Eat Fresh

It’s always better to eat local fresh food. In Italy, there’s a lot of that. Most Italians avoid packaged and heavily processed foods. Instead, they love their food fresh. Local vegetables, meats, and cheeses from different regions of Italy grace their plates for every meal.

Try NOT to Diet

Italians don’t diet. They don’t try the latest diet fad to lose weight or detox or gain muscle. Food is for fun and pleasure, not something that should be analyzed and strictly eaten. Instead, Italians follow the simple guidelines listed above – don’t overeat, eat fresh, balance your plate, and take your time eating. Oh, and add some exercise to help. If you’re in Italy, then you can get in lots of walking, hiking, swimming, and skiing. Does shopping count? Sure, as long as it gets you moving!

 

 

 

Filed Under: Italian Food Tagged With: diet, food, italian food

February 21, 2018 by Kim Abbott

10 Italian Cooking Terms Everyone Should Know

 

Do you love Italian food? If so, you aren’t alone – after all, this is one of the most well-known cooking styles from around the globe.

However, there are some terms and phrases that are a bit confusing if you aren’t a chef. As a result, it may be beneficial to get to know some of the most common terms used in Italian cooking.

Not only will it help you with your own recipes, but also make ordering Italian food much easier.

Here are 10 Italian Cooking Terms that you’ll want to know:

1. Al Dente

The literal definition is “to the tooth.” Most commonly heard when cooking pasta, al dente means the pasta, after being cooked, should have “bite” left to it. The term is also used for cooking veggies, another ingredient that should not be overcooked.

2. Cacciatore

In Italian, the word means hunter. For recipes, such as pollo alla cacciatore, it means “hunter-style chicken.” In most cases, dishes including cacciatore are prepared with wine, herbs, peppers, tomatoes and onions.

3. Antipasti

This word means appetizers or starters. Antipasti can consist of cured meats, cheeses, olives and usually, bruschetta.

4. Casalinga

The Italian translation of Casalinga is housewife. However, this also refers to food that is homemade.

5. Peperone

Don’t confuse this term with the popular pizza topping pepperoni. Peperone refers to peppers. If you have just one pepper, it is a pepe.

6. Ceci

While this is a small word, it has a big meaning. In fact, if you see ceci on a menu, it means chickpeas or garbanzo beans. This is often seen in various soups and pasta dishes.

7. Arancini

This word means “little orange.” It is the name of the delicious risotto balls that are deep fried. Traditionally, these are stuffed full of peas, ragu and mozzarella; however, they can be made with all sorts of combinations.

8. Ribollita

Ribollita is a Tuscan soup that always includes some type of leftover bread, beans and an array of vegetables. The literal translation of this word is “reboiled.”

9. Panzanella

While this word comes from Tuscany, it is a dish that is enjoyed throughout Italy. Panzanella is a special type of salad, made out of tomatoes and toasted bread.

10. Bianca

In English, Bianca means white. You may see the word on menus or in recipes referencing pizza. In most cases, pizza Bianca will be tipped with parmesan cheese, but doesn’t include pasta or tomato sauce.

Now that you have brushed up on your Italian food terminology, you are ready to embark on a “tour of Italy,” enjoying all the delicious dishes this country offers.

Filed Under: Dining Tips Tagged With: food, italian, language, terms

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Lunch
Mon – Fri: 11am–2:30pm
Dinner
Mon – Fri: 4pm–close
Saturday Dinner: 5pm–close

Note: We're closed from 3pm–4pm
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Mon – Fri: 4:00pm–6:00pm
No happy hour on Saturdays
Credit for most photos: Kay W. Eskridge: Images By Kay

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