L'amore Italian Restaurant

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December 15, 2022 by Kim Abbott

The Best Desserts in Italy: The Top Traditional Italian Desserts

If you are planning on traveling to Italy in the near future, you have probably heard that the food is absolutely amazing. Even though you should certainly get your fill of wine, cheese, and pasta, do not skip out on dessert! What are a few of the top traditional Italian desserts that you should know? Do not miss out on any of these opportunities during your next trip.

Gelato

If you spend some time walking around any of the Italian towns or cities, you will see plenty of signs advertising gelato. People in Italy will walk in and out of these gelaterias at any time of the day, meaning that it is always available. Just about every flavor will be delicious, but if you want something traditional, try the stracciatella! This is a sweet cream gelato with chocolate chips, and it will go well with just about any meal in Italy!

Tiramisu

Tiramisu is one of the most popular classic Italian desserts. It is made with mascarpone cheese and ladyfingers that have been soaked and coffee. Sometimes, is infused with liquor, but that is not a requirement. Finally, you will typically see it dusted with some espresso. Even though it is already popular in the United States, you will get the best Tiramisu in Italy. Regardless of whether you are in Rome, Florence, Milan, or Venice, you should not have to work very hard to find it! 

Cannoli

Cannolis are one of the quintessential Italian desserts. Even though you can find it all over Italy, the best cannoli is going to be in Sicily. Cannolis are fried dough shells that are filled with sweetened ricotta cheese. Then, there might be some other ingredients included, such as chocolate chips, pistachios, or candied fruit. Different regions in Italy have different toppings, so don’t hesitate to try a few cannolis wherever you go!

Indulge in Some Italian Desserts

These are just a few of the most popular desserts you might come across in Italy. The best part is that you do not need to go all the way to Italy to enjoy them! 

Filed Under: Italian Food Tagged With: Cannoli, Dessert, Tiramisu

August 5, 2021 by Kim Abbott

An Inside Look At How The Cannoli Was Created

Cannolis are revered far and wide as one of the tastiest Italian desserts.  Often topped with chocolate chips and chocolate drizzle, cannolis are hands-down one of the most delicious culinary concoctions in the world.  Here’s a quick look at the story behind the cannoli.

The cannoli started out as a dessert enjoyed by the Sicilians.  Culinary historians believe the cannoli was first made in Italy’s Messina and Palmero regions.  The Sicilians chose the word “cannoli” as it means “little tube” in the Sicilian language.  Cannolis are still quite popular in Sicily to this day with full-size cannolis available to locals and visitors.  In fact, plenty of Italians judge bakeries by the quality of their cannolis.

Historians who have studied Italy’s culinary development insist cannolis originated in the Palermo, Sicily commune of Piana Degli Albanesi.  However, some are adamant that this unique dessert has roots stemming all the way back to the point in time when the Arabs ruled the island.  Those who are inclined to believe myths, tales, and legends will find it interesting to learn Italian story-tellers say the cannoli’s origins date all the way back to an Arab prince’s concubine that made tasty desserts including a pastry shaped like a tube, filled with ricotta cheese, honey and almonds.  The other tale relating to the origin of the cannoli is centered on a convent positioned by a castle where nuns made a unique new pastry consisting of a shell known as “scoria” along with ricotta cheese, chocolate, sugar, and almonds in celebration of Carnevale.  Carnevale is the countrywide Italian celebration that takes place each year prior to the start of Lent.

Which of these legends is true?  No one is quite certain.  However, Italian historians insist each legend has elements of truth.  Historians typically agree the cannoli was created in or near the Italian city of Caltanissetta at some point between 827 and 1091.  There is also universal agreement that this amazing dessert was originally made by women.  Furthermore, even the most prideful of Italy’s culinary experts are willing to admit cannolis have Arabic roots.

Though cannoli recipes have evolved as time has progressed, there is no arguing the elements of the traditional cannoli recipe.  The traditional cannoli consists of a fried pastry dough shell shaped like a tube that is filled with creamy ricotta cheese, chocolate filling, and candied fruit.  The ricotta cheese is essential to traditional cannolis as it imparts a creamy, sweet, and tangy flavor infusion into the cannoli.  This flavor is perfectly balanced with that of chocolate and sugar, ultimately creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. 

Filed Under: Italian Food Tagged With: Cannoli, Dessert, Italian Cuisine

February 14, 2016 by Kim Abbott

Ready for Dessert? Impress Your Dinner Guests with This Delicious Tiramisu Recipe

10741889_SFrom affogato all the way to gelato, there are many popular Italian treats that tempt the palette, but few desserts are more iconic than the espresso-infused Tiramisu. While most people have enjoyed this decadent treat in a restaurant – or in the country of origin with a little luck – it is not as complicated to make as it might seem. With a little background and a few simple ingredients, here’s how this dessert came to be and how you can make your very own version of this old favorite.

The Tradition of Tiramisu

There are many contradictory accounts of how the popular dessert Tiramisu came to be. While one account claims that it was given to soldiers during World War I to provide them with energy as they went off to war, the most common belief is that it was invented in the restaurant Le Beccherie around 1971. It is said that the popular dessert, whose name means “pick me up”, was created by the restaurant owner, Roberto Linguanotto, and his assistant Francesca Valori, whose maiden name happened to be Tiramisu. The mystery around the creation of Tiramisu persists, but it’s worth noting that no mention of the popular dessert appeared in print before the 1980s.

How to Make Italy’s Most Popular Dessert

With layers of mascarpone and espresso, Tiramisu is a rich but airy dessert that delights the senses with its delicacy. It is the Ladyfinger biscuits that are soaked in espresso that give the dessert its unique texture and hard-to-define taste. When planning a party with an Italian theme, this simple recipe should provide approximately 8-10 servings and will take about 30 minutes to prepare.

The Ingredients
2 Cups Hot water
3 TBSP Espresso powder
1 TBSP Sugar
3 TBSP Tia Maria liqueur
4 Egg yolks
1/3 Cup Marsala wine
1/2 Cup Sugar
2 1/2 Cups Mascarpone cheese
1 Cup Heavy cream
36 Ladyfinger biscuits
Unsweetened cocoa powder

The Recipe

In a shallow, wide bowl stir together the water, espresso powder, 1 TBSP sugar and the Tia Maria liqueur, and then place in the fridge to cool.

Once this is complete, combine the egg yolks, Marsala wine and ½ cup sugar in a double boiler or saucepan over boiling water. Beat the mixture until it has increased in volume (approximately 5-8 minutes). Remove from the heat and beat in the Mascarpone cheese.

Beat the heavy cream in a large bowl until peaks form and fold in the mascarpone mixture until combined.

Dip each Ladyfinger biscuit into the coffee mixture until they are all coated, and then begin creating your layered dessert by placing 1 layer of biscuits into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch pan. Once you have created your first layer, top with the mascarpone mixture. The ingredients should make approximately 3 layers of biscuits and mascarpone, but continue until all the ingredients are used up.

Dust the top of the layered Tiramisu with cocoa and cool it in the fridge for at least 6 hours and remove from the fridge approximately 30 minutes before serving.

Filed Under: Recipes Tagged With: Dessert, Recipe, Tiramisu

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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

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