L'amore Italian Restaurant

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What Is Vodka Sauce And What Does it Go With?

There are many people who are looking for a delicious sauce to go with their pasta, and many people turn to Italian pasta and sauces for the best. When considering sauce options, there is one that commonly grabs people’s eyes. Vodka sauce can be a bit striking because of the hard liquor at the front of the name. Therefore, what is vodka sauce, and what does it go with? Learn more about vodka sauce below.

What Is Vodka Sauce?

Vodka sauce is the name given to a creamy tomato sauce that is frequently served over pasta. The most important thing to know is there is no alcohol in the sauce when it is served, and it does not have a vodka flavor to it. The alcohol in the vodka sauce evaporates during the cooking process, so this is nothing to worry about.

The origins of vodka sauce are a bit unclear. While some people believe that the sauce originated in Sicily, the sauce became popular in the United States during the peak of prohibition.

What Goes Into Pasta Sauce?

There are numerous ingredients that might be added to vodka sauce, and many parts of Italy have added their own unique twists on the delicious tomato and cream sauce. Some of the common ingredients include garlic, salt, pepper, fresh parsley, and basil leaves. Then, the type of vodka that is used to make the sauce can have a significant impact on the final flavor profile. Finally, this is combined with a tomato and cream base to give the sauce its distinctive pink color profile.

What Does Vodka Sauce Go With?

Of course, the easy answer is that vodka sauce is served over pasta; however, it can be served with a number of other entrées as well. For example, lots of people love to combine vodka sauce with a delicious pasta and scallop dish. This sauce also matches well with fresh mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes. Some people even serve vodka sauce with a strong sausage entrée. The uses of vodka sauce are endless.

Give Vodka Sauce A Try

Remember that even though vodka sauce does have liquor in its name, alcohol is not present in the final sauce. At the same time, vodka also gives this sauce a unique bite to its flavor. Considering adding vodka sauce to an Italian pasta dish, and see what makes it so popular!

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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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4 Things You Probably Don’t Know about Italian Food

italian pasta lamore restaurantUnless you are used to eating grandma’s homemade cooking from Italy, chances are the food you order in most Italian restaurants in the United States isn’t as authentic as you may think. In fact, many Italian eateries in the States have food on their menus that is not eaten in Italy.

Aside from this, there is also some confusion about how to eat some favorite Italian foods. So, the next time you visit an Italian restaurant or go to Italy to sample Italian food straight from the source, keep your eye out for these Italian foods.

Read on to discover four things you probably don’t know about Italian food.

1. Use Bread to Mop up Sauce

Ok, so bread is a staple of the Italian diet and an authentic part of the meal, however, what most people don’t know is that bread should be eaten at the end of the meal instead of as an appetizer while you wait for your entree. Traditionally, bread is used as a sponge to mop up any leftover sauce from your meal, though this may be seen as crass in some of the more expensive, fine-dining Italian restaurants.

2. Peperoni is not Meat

While in Italy or at an authentic Italian restaurant in the States, it’s important to know the difference between pepperoni and peperoni. The former is a popular meat for pizza toppings, while the later is actually a pepper.

3. Spaghetti and Meatballs and Fettuccine Alfredo are NOT Italian Dishes

If you’ve been to Italy and tried to find Fettuccine Alfredo or spaghetti and meatballs on the menu, you were probably left scratching your head. These foods are actually considered American cuisine you won’t find anywhere in Italy. However,  if you really want pasta with cream sauce, look for the Italian word for cream (panna) on the menu. For spaghetti and meatballs, you can expect to have the meatballs served separately in a bowl.  If you decide to mix them together, don’t be surprised by some weird looks from Italians dining near you.

4. Italians Eat a Small Breakfast

Overall, Italians shun a big breakfast. In fact, the favorite choice for breakfast in Italy is an espresso and sweet pastry or croissant. A big American style breakfast is practically unheard of in Italy.  Instead, Italians like to keep it small for breakfast while eating bigger meals for lunch and dinner, which are usually quite festive, full of laughter and conversation, and can last for hours.

 

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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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