L'amore Italian Restaurant

by

What Makes Italian Pasta Different From Other Types of Pasta?

It is difficult to beat the pasta dishes that come from Italy. When people think about this boot-shaped country, they usually think about delicious wine, bread, and pasta. What makes Italian pasta better than pasta from other countries? There are several important points everyone should keep in mind. 

Italian Pasta Is Made Differently

First, Italian pasta usually tastes better because it is made differently. Italian pasta has to adhere to strict standards that have been set by the government. Usually, Italian pasta is made from 100 percent durum wheat, which is usually called semolina flour. Therefore, Italian pasta is higher in protein. Semolina flour also stands up to the rigors of the cooking process much better than other types of flour. What Italian pasta has been dried slowly, it retains some of the flavor and texture of the semolina flour, contributing to its unique flavor. 

The Water Plays A Major Role In The Cooking Process

Even though flour is important when making pasta, water is also important. Some people believe that water is only there to make the pasta softer, but the ingredients in the water also play a role. For example, there are a lot of countries that add certain chemicals to the water to make it safer. Even though this may be helpful in some situations, this is not necessarily great for cooking. For example, a lot of the water that Italians use in their cooking comes straight from the Alps. It doesn’t get much cleaner than that. This water improves the cooking process when making Italian pasta. 

Italian Pasta Dishes Are Properly Balanced

Finally, Italians have a lot of experience cooking pasta. As a culture, they have a significant amount of experience balancing their dishes. Usually, Italian sauce is relatively simple, showing respect for the quality of the pasta. For example, in Italian pasta sauce could be as simple as adding chopped garlic, chili, and olive oil. This allows the unique texture and flavor of the pasta to shine through. 

Get The Best Pasta From Italy

These are a few of the most important reasons why Italian pasta is simply better. Anyone who is looking for a delicious pasta dish should head over to L’Amore Restaurant for the best pasta.

by

What Are The Different Types Of Italian Bread?

When you think about Italy, you probably think about high-quality food and drinks. Many people think about pasta, pasta sauce, wine, and cheese when they think about Italian dishes. On the other hand, Italy is also known for the tremendous quality of its spread. There are numerous types of Italian bread and if you are trying to figure out the right type of bread to go with your meal, it is important to be familiar with a few of the most popular examples. 

Focaccia Bread

Without a doubt, Focaccia is one of the most popular types of Italian bread. This type of Italian bread is baked in the oven and is commonly compared to pizza dough when it comes to style and texture. Usually, Focaccia bread is seasoned with salt, olive oil, and a variety of herbs. Focaccia is commonly used as a side for many entrees; however, it can also be used as a base for pizza. 

Rosetta Bread

Another popular bread that is found in Italy is called Rosetta bread. This bread is usually compared to a hollow roll. As a result, it is usually used to make sandwiches. Rosetta bread comes from round and derives its name from the unique nose shape that the role has when it comes out of the oven. 

Pizza Bianca Bread

It is difficult to talk about Italian bread without mentioning pizza. Pizza Bianca bread is a specific type of bread that is used for pizza. The exact style of pizza Bianca bread does vary from region to region. Now, this bread is commonly served as an appetizer and is even used for sandwiches. 

Ciabatta Bread

Similar to pizza dough, ciabatta is also a flatbread. Ciabatta is usually harder and texture and slightly less oily than pizza bread. Ciabatta bread is commonly used for sandwiches. It is frequently found in bakeries and grocery stores throughout not only Italy but the rest of the world as well. A lot of restaurants use ciabatta bread for their sandwiches. 

Select The Right Italian Bread

Ultimately, there are dozens of varieties of Italian bread. These are just a few of the most popular examples. If you are trying to find the right red to pair with your meal, it is helpful to speak to a professional Italian chef. Better yet, why not visit Italy and learn about the different types of bread?

 

by

What Are The Top Italian Dining Traditions?

If you are thinking about having an Italian dinner, then you need to stay up-to-date on the top Italian dining Traditions. When people think about Italian food, they commonly think about delicious pasta, unique pizza, and meals that are bursting with flavor. At the same time, so truly get the entire Italian experience, it is a good idea to think about a few Italian dining traditions. What are a few of the top points to keep in mind? 

Bread And Pasta Do Not Go Together

First, it is important to highlight the role that red plays an Italian mule. Obviously, Italy is known for its delicious bread. At the same time, bread is also meant to be eaten first. Bread is a starch. Famed Italian pasta is also a starch. Therefore, they should not be eaten together. Bread should be eaten first. Once the bread is gone, the main course can be brought out. Be sure to eat bread like an Italian. This usually means with a soup or salad course. 

Coffee Is Only Allowed After Dinner

In Italy, coffee is seen as a way to help you digest your meal. Therefore, drinking it with the main course is seen as misguided. Therefore, coffee is always reserved for after the meeting. There are lots of variations on coffee including espressos, cappuccinos, and more. All of them are meant to be consumed after the meal is done. Furthermore, the caffeine in these drinks can help you stay awake if your body is tempted to fall asleep after eating a delicious Italian dinner. 

Italians Share Their Dishes

When you go to a restaurant in the United States, you are probably used to ordering a dish that is meant for you. This is not how it is done in Italy. An Italian dinner is meant to be shared. The goal is to try as many different dishes as possible. Therefore, Italian dishes are usually served on large plates that are meant to be passed around. This will also help facilitate conversation during dinner. Never try to eat all of the food on a single platter. This will be seen as rude. 

Eat Dinner Like An Italian

These are a few of the top traditions and etiquette tips to keep in mind when it comes to eating an Italian dinner. There is something special about Italian food. It is always packed with flavor. Make sure that you enjoy it like an Italian as well.

by

5 Surprising Health Benefits of Olive Oil

When you begin researching information about different fats and their role in your diet, you will find quite a bit of conflicting information. However, almost everyone can agree that olive oil – especially extra virgin olive oil – is a substance that is actually good for you.  That’s great news because that means you can drizzle it on your salad and use it to fry your chicken, without the guilt. Read on to discover the top five health benefits of olive oil that you probably didn’t already know.

1. It’s Full of Antioxidants 

Extra virgin olive oil is a favorite for many recipes because it is a nutritious ingredient. In addition to being a good fatty acid, it is also full of modest amounts of both vitamins K and E. However, what is even better is that olive oil is full of antioxidants. These antioxidants are able to help fight off serious diseases and cases of inflammation. Antioxidants also help to prevent the cholesterol present in your blood from getting oxidized, which in turn helps prevent heart disease.

2. It Offers Impressive Anti-Inflammatory Properties 

Many experts believe that a leading driver of a number of diseases is chronic inflammation. This includes serious diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, obesity, arthritis, diabetes, cancer, metabolic syndrome and even cardiovascular disease. Olive oil has been proven to help reduce cases of inflammation. In fact, there are some studies that show that the antioxidants in olive oil can inhibit some of the proteins and genes that cause inflammation, begin with.

3. Prevent and Protect Against Heart Disease 

The most common cause of death in the world is heart disease. However, it is a rare occurrence in the Mediterranean Sea region. When interest in this peaked, people began extensively researching this diet.  What they found was that the key ingredient of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. When consumed, it helps lower your blood pressure and protects against oxidation of LDL particles, which helps prevent heart disease.

4. It May Help Fight Alzheimer’s Disease 

This is considered the most common neurodegenerative disease in the entire world. A key feature of this disorder is the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in brain cells. In mice, a study has shown that olive oil helps to remove this plaque from brain cells. While this is not scientifically confirmed, it is believed that olive oil may help to prevent Alzheimer’s.

5. Pain Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis 

This condition is characterized by painful and deformed joints. According to research, olive oil may help inflammatory markers while reducing the oxidative stress in those suffering from this condition. It has shown to be especially beneficial when it is combined with fish oil.

Visit Us

3159 E Lincoln Dr
Phoenix , AZ 85016
Phone: 602.381.3159

Connect With Us

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

Contact Us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.