L'amore Italian Restaurant

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What Are the Defining Features of Sicilian Cuisine?

When people think about Italian food, there are probably a few highlights that come to mind. For example, many people associate Italy with wine, cheese, pizza, and pasta. Italy itself is a very large country, which means there are some significant regional variations from top to bottom. For example, the island of Sicily certainly has its own cuisine. What are some of the defining features of Sicilian cuisine? 

The Starters

A traditional Sicilian meal is going to start with an appetizer. Even the starters in Sicily can be incredibly rich and robust, so some people eat them as main courses. For example, lots of people love Caponata, which is a traditional eggplant dish from Sicily. Vegetables are combined with a variety of sauces to create unique appetizers that define Sicilian cuisine.

The Main Courses

The main courses in Sicily are absolute masterpieces when it comes to cooking. Meat and seafood are usually at the center, and some of the defining features of Italian cuisines, such as Pasta alla Norma, actually come from Sicily. Some of the most popular fishes used in Sicilian cuisine include swordfish and tuna. Given that Sicily is an island, it should come as no surprise that seafood is one of the most popular ingredients in Sicilian cooking. Olive oil and fish oil are closely associated with Sicilian cooking as well. 

The Dessert

It isn’t a Sicilian meal unless a dessert is served at the end. There are plenty of desserts that are closely associated with Sicily, including cannolis and cassata. Fresh fruit is frequently incorporated as a dessert option in Sicily, and marzipan is another popular ingredient. Many Sicilian desserts are versatile enough to be customized in a variety of ways, so there should be plenty of options on the menu for people of all backgrounds.

Fall In Love With Sicilian Cuisine

Sicilian heritage is inextricably tied to its cooking, and Sicilian cooking has been exported all over the world. There is a chance that you have had a Sicilian meal already and simply didn’t know it! If you want to truly appreciate the richness and flavor of Sicilian cuisine, you need to go to a traditional Italian restaurant and send your taste buds on a journey! 

 

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What To Know About Italian Food and Wine Pairings

You have probably heard that there are rules to follow when it comes to pairing food and wine. If you want to make sure that you pair your food and wine correctly, what do you need to know?

Match the Texture of the Food and Wine

First, you must make sure that you match the texture of the food and wine. For example, if you are eating something that has a tomato base, it will be relatively acidic. Therefore, you also need to choose a wine that is relatively acidic, such as Chianti. If you are going with a lighter seafood dish, then you need to find a wine pairing that matches, such as a crisp Vernaccia. You must make sure that you match the texture of the food and wine if you want the pairing to come off well.

Balance the Taste of the Food and Wine

Next, think about the taste of the food and wine. For example, if you are eating something that is salty or sour, the wine will taste a bit milder. On the other hand, if you eat something that is sweet and savory, it will make that wine taste a bit drier and astringent. Think about what you are going for regarding the taste of your meal, and pickle wine that pairs appropriately.

Light Versus Full Body Wines

Finally, you should think about the body of the wine. If you are eating something poached or steamed, you should generally reach for a light-body wine, such as Pinot Grigio. If you are eating something baked or roasted, which will have a more intense flavor, then you may want to go with a full-body wine, such as Barolo or Brunello.

Pick Your Wine Carefully

You must make sure you savor every flavor of every Italian dish. That means you need to select your wine carefully. There are plenty of wines available, and all of them taste delicious, but you need to pair them appropriately. Just remember that you should always like what you drink and drink what you like!

 

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The Best Food To Try in Italy

During your visit to Italy, you probably want to try as much delicious food as you can. Italy is closely associated with a variety of foods, ranging from pasta to pizza and from cheese to dessert. Therefore, make sure you show up hungry! What are a few of the most popular traditional foods in Italy you should try?

Pizza

Without a doubt, any trip to Italy has to start with pizza. Delicious pizza can be found all over the country, but you will probably find the best pizza in Naples. If you have a Neapolitan pizza, it means that it is based on the style in Naples. Neapolitan pizza is typically made with a thin, flatbread-style crust, tomato sauce, whole basil leaves, and buffalo mozzarella. It is not that complicated, but it is absolutely delicious.

Balsamic Di Modena

During your visit to Bologna, you will probably see Balsamic Di Modena. It is one of the most popular regional foods in the country, and you should not miss out on it. This is where some of the best balsamic comes from, and there are strict requirements that the dishes need to adhere to. It will be silky, sweet, and smooth! Consider drizzling it on top of a plate of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese!

Risotto

Risotto is another very famous Italian food that you can find all over the country, but you will probably find the best risotto either around Lake Como or in Calabria. This is a dish that was developed in Italy. It is a creamy rice dish made from short-grain arborio rice. Then, it is cooked in vegetable, beef, or chicken broth. Once it is thick, it is talked with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese before being filled with seafood, mushrooms, and a variety of herbs.

Tortellini

Pasta is something that is inextricably associated with Italy, and one of the most popular types of pasta is tortellini. It is typically stuffed with cheese and meat before being served alongside a variety of other foods. Every region in Italy is going to have its own twist on tortellini, so don’t hesitate to branch out and try a few options! Make sure you don’t overlook any of these foods during your trip to Italy.

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Comparing Linguini and Fettuccine: What You Need To Know

If you take a trip to Italy, you will probably eat a lot of pasta. Italians are known for their pasta, and there are plenty of pasta styles from which to choose. Generally, the only difference between pasta will be the shape of the noodle. It might seem like a relatively small difference, but the shape of the pasta is very important for the meal. Two of the most popular types of pasta are linguine and fettuccine. What are some of the biggest differences between them? 

The Shape

First, we need to take a look at the shape of the noodles. Linguine noodles are significantly narrower than fettuccine noodles. In general, fettuccine noodles are about twice as wide as linguine noodles. This means that fettuccine noodles should have an easier time holding on to the sauce as you roll them up. In contrast, linguine noodles are going to be a bit lighter. Because linguine noodles are thinner, the shape will hold up better if you are eating something with seafood, such as mussels, shrimp, and other types of shellfish.

The Ingredients

Linguine noodles have significantly fewer ingredients when compared to fettuccine. Linguine noodles are usually made with water and semolina flour. In contrast, fettuccine is made with semolina flour, eggs, and some durum wheat. This also means that fettuccine tends to have a heavier, fuller body than linguine.

The Dishes

With a general overview of the differences between linguine and fettuccine, what you really care about is when you should choose specific types of noodles. If you are eating a dish where the sauce has to coat the pasta and stick to it, you should go with fettuccine. If you are eating a dish that is lighter, or with a sauce that is meant to be a thin coating, you should go with linguine noodles instead. Fettuccini is typically used with heavier sauces, such as cream and cheese sauces. Linguine noodles are typically used with lighter sauces, such as seafood dishes.

Enjoy Your Pasta Properly

You must make sure you choose the right pasta for your Italian dish. If you plan on visiting Italy, make sure you try as many different types of pasta as possible!

 

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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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