L'amore Italian Restaurant

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What Makes an Italian Cannoli So Delicious?

If you are looking for a delicious dessert at the end of an Italian meal, you will probably see a cannoli on the menu. This is a delicious, tube-shaped pastry with sweet cream in the middle. Even though you may have tried a Cannoli in New York, it actually comes from Sicily. Therefore, if you really want to experience everything this delicious dessert has to offer, you need to go to an Italian restaurant! 

What Goes Into The Dough?

If you really want to experience a cannoli, you need to know what goes into it. The dough is made using a variety of ingredients, including flour, sugar, egg, vinegar, and marsala wine. Then, the pastry itself is worked into a tube shape before being deep-fried until it is nice and crispy.

What Is The Filling?

For a cannoli to truly taste its best, it needs to be filled as quickly as possible. If it is filled too late, the cannoli itself will taste soggy. Typically, the filling is fresh ricotta mixed with sugar, and the mixture is piped directly into the pastry as quickly as possible. Then, once it is done, you can wrap your mouth around this delicious dessert and enjoy a slice of Italian culture! 

Unique Twists On The Inside

Even though the traditional filling for a cannoli is a mixture of ricotta cheese and sugar, one of the beauties of this versatile dessert is that you can make it your own. For example, you may want to add some mint chocolate chips, rum, and honey to the center of your cannoli. Or, you might want to add some traditional chocolate chips and cocoa powder. There are lots of people who even enjoy adding pistachios to the center of the cannoli. The possibilities are endless thanks to this versatile pastry! 

Consider Adding A Cannoli To Your Dinner

Italy is a country that is known for its food, and that includes dessert! While cannolis originally came from Sicily, they are now popular all over the world! If you are looking for a delicious dessert, you may want to try a traditional cannoli first! Then, consider adding a twist to this popular dessert to see if there is something you might like even better! 

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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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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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What To Serve With Seafood Pasta

There are a lot of amazing dishes that come from the Italian coast, and one of the most popular examples is seafood pasta. There is a tremendous amount of delicious seafood in the Mediterranean Sea, so there is a long legacy of delicious seafood dishes that come from Italy. If you want to experience everything that seafood pasta has to offer, you need to pick your sides carefully. What should you consider serving with seafood pasta?

Some Fresh Balsamic Bruschetta

Your meal should start with a delicious appetizer. One of the most popular options to pair with seafood pasta is balsamic bruschetta. The balsamic vinegar has a lot of acidity to it, and it will pair perfectly with the delicious flavor of seafood. If you top the bruschetta with some mozzarella and tomatoes, you will have the perfect appetizer before the entree comes out.

A Fresh Asparagus Salad

When the pasta comes out, you may want to include a fresh asparagus salad. Asparagus is commonly served with seafood because it has a unique flavor that pairs well with just about every type of seafood pasta. Be sure to complete your asparagus salad with the right dressing. There are many options available, but if it is an olive oil-based dressing, you will like the flavor combination.

Consider A Creamy Polenta

Another side you should consider is a nice, creamy polenta. This is a side that is commonly served throughout Italy, and you can definitely include it with your seafood pasta as well. The texture of creamy polenta is going to pair well with the sauce that goes on top of the seafood, and it is perfect for rounding out the meal. There are different types of polenta available, so do not hesitate to experiment with a few flavors. You may find something you like more than others.

Seafood Pasta Is A Mainstay Of Italian Cuisine

People in Italy love their seafood, and it is something that has spread all over the world. Different types of seafood have slightly different flavors, but there are several sides that will work well, no matter what type of seafood you serve. Consider giving a few of these sides a try with your next seafood pasta. 

 

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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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