L'amore Italian Restaurant

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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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Three Kinds Of Italian Cheese You Need To Know

Italy is a country that is known for its delicious foods and drinks. When people think about Italy, they frequently imagine delicious pasta sauce, amazing pasta, fresh wine, and delicious cheese. If you are someone who loves cheese, you might be interested in the different types of cheese from Italy, when to use them, and why they taste so amazing. Learn more about three essential types of cheeses you need to know! 

Mozzarella

Mozzarella is easily one of the most popular types of Italian cheeses. In actuality, mozzarella has multiple subcategories of cheese. Not every type of mozzarella cheese is the same, but all mozzarella cheese is made from Buffalo milk. Then, professional cheesemakers use the milk to spin and cut it until it has a semi-soft texture with a high moisture content. Mozzarella cheese is frequently used on Caprese salads, lasagna, and pizza. It takes particularly delicious when it is combined with tomato and basil. 

Gorgonzola

Gorgonzola is another popular Italian cheese with which many people are familiar. Gorgonzola cheese comes from unskimmed cow’s milk. There are two types of Gorgonzola cheese. The first is a sweet type of Gorgonzola cheese, which is known as Dolce. The other type of Gorgonzola cheese is a bit sharper. It is called Piccante, but can also be called Naturale or Montagna Gorgonzola cheese. Gorgonzola is a popular addition to shorter pastas such as rigatoni and penne. It is not used as frequently with longer types of pasta like spaghetti. 

Parmigiano

You probably know this cheese better as parmesan. Parmesan cheese comes from Parma, Reggio, Modena, or Emilia. It has a rich, deep flavor with a flaky texture. While you might have powdered parmesan cheese sitting in your refrigerator at home, it usually tastes better when it is freshly grated. You will find this cheese added to numerous sandwiches, pasta dishes, and pizzas.

Get The Best Italian Cheese From An Authentic Restaurant

These are just a few of the many types of Italian cheeses you should know about. If you want to experience delicious, authentic Italian cheese, make sure you go to an authentic restaurant that knows how to source and use it properly! The right type of cheese can make all the difference.

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The Advantages Of Rigatoni Pasta: What To Know

If you go to the grocery store to buy pasta, you will quickly realize there are numerous options available. You might be looking at rigatoni, penne, spaghetti, and linguine, wondering which pasta to choose. Even though the ingredients used to make most types of pasta are similar, the shapes matter. What are some of the top advantages of using rigatoni pasta? 

Rigatoni Pasta Holds Up To Heat

One of the first benefits of rigatoni pasta is that it will hold up well to heat. Because the shape is large, hearty, and thick, rigatoni noodles will heat evenly. You do not have to worry about biting into rigatoni pasta only to realize some parts are chewy and other parts are crunchy. If you cook rigatoni noodles to an al dente texture, the noodles will be consistent. 

Rigatoni Pasta Holds The Sauce Well

Another significant advantage of rigatoni pasta is that it will hold the sauce well. If you have ever lifted up pasta only to be disappointed when all of the sauce falls back into the dish, you should not have to worry about this issue with rigatoni. Because it has thick ridges in it, the sauce should stick to it well. It will get inside the individual crevices, and you should be able to taste the sauce with every bite.

Rigatoni Pasta Traps Ingredients In the Noodle

Finally, because rigatoni pasta has a large opening in the middle, there is plenty of room for ingredients to get stuck inside. It may feel like the individual noodles have been stuffed with something delicious! This creates an amazing journey when you eat Italian pasta that has been made using rigatoni noodles. 

Experience Authentic Rigatoni At An Italian Restaurant

Even though you can purchase rigatoni noodles from your grocery store, the best way to experience this pasta is to go to an authentic restaurant. An Italian restaurant understands which type of pasta to use for specific dishes. That way, when you order an Italian pasta dish that has been made using rigatoni, you know the noodles will make all the difference in the world. Consider experiencing authentic Italian cuisine for yourself by ordering rigatoni pasta at a local restaurant.

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Sugo Alla Norma: A Delicious Italian Sauce

When people think about a trip to Italy, they usually think about delicious food. Italy is known for its pasta, and one of the biggest reasons why is this popular dish. Sugo alla Norma is a staple of Italian cuisine, and you may see it on every menu during your trip to Italy. In many ways, it is a celebration of Italy’s sweet summer eggplant, Which is popular all over the world. The dish is originally from Sicily, and it contains remarkably few ingredients. It’s simple, straightforward, direct flavors that make it one of the most popular dishes in all of Italian cuisine. 

A Brief History of Sugo Alla Norma

Also commonly called Pasta Alla Norma, the dish was created in Sicily during the early 20th century. At the time, a local poet tried Suga Alla Norma for the first time. When he tasted the dish, he was incredibly impressed by it. He even compared it to one of the most popular operas and Italian History, “Norma,” by Bellini. Since that time, the dish has been called Sugo Alla Norma.

What Goes In the Pasta Dish?

So, if you decide to order this dish during your next trip to Italy, what should you expect? Of course, the foundational ingredient is pasta. Usually, the pasta serve would this dish is short, tubular, and rich. The most common noodles included in the dishes include sedanini and tortiglioni, but you may find rigatoni as well. After this, there are thin pieces of fried eggplant that add a silky, rich flavor to the dish itself. Finally, the dish includes tomato sauce and cheese. It’s made of sauce may include basil and garlic along with red pepper flakes for some added spice. Ricotta cheese is usually the cheese of choice for this dish. You might even want to pair this dish with a delicious glass of red wine!

Enjoy a Serving of Sugo Alla Norma During Your Next Trip To the Italian Peninsula

Even though there are lots of pasta dishes included in Italian cuisine, this is one of the most popular examples. If you haven’t tried eggplant before, this may be a nice introduction to this unique plant! Do not hesitate to branch out and try several pasta dishes to see what you like! Italian pasta is popular for a reason, and your taste buds will thank you!

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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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