L'amore Italian 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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Salsa di Pomodoro: A Key Italian Sauce

When people think about taking a trip to Italy, they usually think about right, red tomatoes and pasta. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that one of the most popular dishes combines these two ingredients. Salsa di pomodoro is one of the most popular sauces in all of Italy. A lot of people wonder how to make it, but it is a straightforward tomato sauce. What truly makes this recipe special is that you can put your own twist on it. Virtually every Italian pasta dish uses some form of this popular Italian recipe to bring out unique flavors. What should you know about the sauce? 

It Contains Remarkably Few Ingredients

First, there really aren’t that many ingredients that need to be included in this dish. Salsa di pomodoro has only two required ingredients. The first is crushed, ripe, red tomatoes. Think about the texture of the sauce, and crush the tomatoes to match the desired texture. You do not necessarily have to puree them, but you might desire a smooth texture. Then, before you put the tomatoes in the pan, add a thin layer of olive oil. This will prevent tomatoes from sticking and give the sauce a nice bite.

You can Put a Twist on It

All you have to do is let the sauce simmer for a few hours until it is completely cooked. On the other hand, there might be other ingredients you want to add. A lot of people include chopped onions another staple ingredient. You may want to add some red wine to the sauce as well. Another common addition is fresh garlic cloves. You might want to include these in the recipe as well. Basil is almost always included in the recipe for salsa di pomodoro also. 

Try Salsa do Pomodoro

After the sauce is ready, you need to think about what you want to serve it with. What type of pasta do you want to include? Are you looking for long noodles? Or, do you want to go with short, wide noodles? Pasta with ridges is usually preferred for grabbing the sauce as you eat. You might want to include meatballs, sausage, or lamb as the meat. Don’t forget the top it with some cheese as well! Amazon is one of the most popular options, but you may want to go with ricotta instead. 

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Where Does The Best Italian Pasta Come From?

There are a lot of people who are looking for the best pasta in the world, and many people have fallen in love with the pasta that comes from Italy. Italy is a region of the world that is known for its food, with pasta being at the top of the list. Even within this pasta haven, different parts of Italy are known for different types of pasta. Therefore, travelers need to be familiar with regional differences in pasta, so they can find the best meals for them.

Campania Is Known For Penne Pasta

When people think about pasta, they usually envision penne. This is a classic pasta shape and is commonly produced in Campania. This part of Italy is home to the Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius (near Pompeii), and Naples itself. Located in southern Italy, Campania is known for penne pasta that comes out perfectly shaped every time. Penne means “pen” in Italian, which is an accurate description of the delicious pasta that comes from this part of Italy.

Sicily Is Known For Its Ziti

Sicily is located at the boot of Italy and is known for its gorgeous architecture, Greek ruins, and the largest opera house in Italy. Of course, Sicily is also known for its delicious pasta. Ziti is penne pasta that comes from Sicily, and they make their pasta slightly differently. Travelers might notice that ziti pasta has ridges, while penne pasta does not. The ridges in ziti make this type of pasta perfect for grabbing the delicious sauces in Italian pasta. Consider using ziti to create dishes that are filled with a delicious sauce.

Abruzzo Is Known For Spaghetti Alla Chitarra

Another popular tourist destination in Italy is Abruzzo. This is a mountainous part of Italy that is located in the center of the country. This area is known for its striking red garlic and its delicious saffron. The pasta from this region is spaghetti that has a square shape instead of a cylindrical shape. Chitarra means guitar and is used to describe this type of pasta because the dough is passed through fine strings resembling those of a guitar. This is pasta that is commonly served with cream and oil sauces.

Find The Best Pasta In Italy

Of course, there is no single “best” pasta in Italy. Instead, everyone has to find the best pasta for their preferences.

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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.

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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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