L'amore Italian Restaurant

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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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5 Italian Dishes MOST Kids Love

Do you have a child who is a picky eater? Or just the opposite? A kid who loves to try new foods?

Either way, you’ll score big in the kitchen when you make these Italian dishes that most kids love.

They’re easy to make at home and your kids can even help! Read on to discover some Italian meals that will please everyone’s palate at lunch or dinner time.

1. Spaghetti and Meatballs

Mmmmmm. Noodles. Who doesn’t love noodles? And when you pair them with hearty marina sauce (it’s ok you can use it from the jar) and meatballs, they’re even better. This is an easy meal to make, as well as inexpensive, that your kids will surely love. Give them some tasks, such as stirring the sauce, helping form the meat into balls, and setting the table. Finish the meal with a yummy, fresh salad to help with digestion – the Italian way.

2. Italian Style Pizza

Otherwise known as Neapolitan, this Italian style pizza is sure to make a hit. It is made from a round and flattened (can you say thin crust?) base of leavened wheat-based dough. Top it with tomatoes, cheese, and any other toppings you want. Then bake it. For the kids, have them “decorate” the pizza with their favorite toppings.

3. Roasted Veggies

It can be hard sometimes to get your kids to eat vegetables. But with this Italian recipe, they’ll love their veggies. You can use any veggies you want, so have the kids choose which veggies they’d love to roast, such as baby potatoes, tomatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, and more. Cut and place them together in a large mixing bowl. Add your favorite Italian seasoning and olive oil and then transfer to a lightly-oiled baking sheet and stick them in the oven. Yum.

4. Calzones

Calzones are basically folded pizza. They are made from salted dough and baked in the oven. Stuff them with your kid’s favorite meats and cheese, like pepperoni, salami, ham, parmesan, and mozzarella. Sneak some veggies in there too.

5. Gelato

For dessert, offer this Italian favorite. The main ingredients are milk and cream. The best flavors are vanilla, chocolate, or anything fruit based. If you decide to make it at home, have the kids do the churning. Otherwise, pick some up in the frozen dessert section at your local grocery store for a new twist on dessert time.

 

 

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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!

 

 

 

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5 Fun Facts about Italian Food

Whether you’ve grown up eating Italian food or you’re just discovering this famous cuisine, there are a few things you probably don’t know about Italian food – unless you’re Italian!

The next time you go out to an Italian restaurant or have friends over for an Italian dinner party, wow everyone with these five fun facts about Italian food.

1.  The Main Meal is Lunch

While Americans say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and typically fill up on dinner after a “light” lunch, the Italians see lunch as the main meal of the day. Typically, pasta is the first course, followed by a meat dish, salad, fruit and dessert. You’ll need a nap after a lunch that size.

2. Morning Coffee Always has Milk

Italians don’t drink their coffee black, at least not in the morning. While traveling in Italy, expect to order a milky coffee like a cappuccino or latte with your breakfast meal.

3. Never Eat and Walk at the Same Time

If you’re in a hurry and expect to grab a meal on the run, forget about it in Italy.  In fact, don’t even stand while you’re eating. The whole point of Italian food is to enjoy it. How can that be done if you’re walking down the road or standing on an overcrowded bus? Instead, do like the Italians do and take your time finding pleasure in your food and drink.

4. Pizza was Considered Food for Poor People

Most likely born in Naples, the first style of Italian pizza was called Neapolitan pizza. It was a flatbread that came with a variety of toppings and was sold on the streets to mostly the poor. It wasn’t until 1738 that the first pizza restaurant in Italy opened. It was called Antica Pizzeria Port’Alba.

5. Italians eat Special Foods on Special Holidays

Enjoying food is a big part of Italian culture. During the holidays, this love of food also serves as a symbol of the holiday being celebrated. For example, during the Christmas season, you’ll find many of the following foods gracing the table of Italians:

  • Cured olives and pickled veggies
  • All kinds of cheese
  • Cured meats
  • Roasted wild game
  • Lentils
  • Fish
  • Fennel
  • Fresh Fruit
  • Pandoro

Traditional Easter dishes include:

  • Lamb
  • Easter eggs
  • Salami with boiled eggs
  • Casatiello napoletano
  • Torta Pasqualina
  • Scarcella and Fiadoni
  • Fresh beans
  • Pizza di Pasqua

There is so much more to learn about Italian food that this list could be fill many pages. We hope it gets your appetite whet!

 

 

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3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

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Our Hours

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

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

Happy Hour
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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