L'amore Italian Restaurant

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April 5, 2020 by Kim Abbott

An Inside Look at why Water is the key Ingredient for Delicious Pizza Dough

It is often said New York City has the best pizza because of the city’s superior dough.  However, the little-known truth is it is the water in pizza dough that makes the difference between a bland taste and taste that makes a truly indelible impact.  Indeed, New York City has the “champagne of waters” so it certainly makes sense its pizzerias have some of the best flavors in the land.

However, New York pizzerias are not the only ones with access to flawless water.  Give our pizza a taste and you will agree our dough is just as good as that of any pizzeria in the Big Apple.

Why Water Matters for Pizza Dough Taste

When it comes to pizza, most people are focused on the sweetness and flavor of the sauce, the freshness of the toppings and the crunchiness of the crust.  Water is often overlooked yet it is of the utmost importance.

It is not only the quantity of water that matters but also it’s quality.  Pizza dough consistency is largely dependent on the type and quality of water used.  In particular, water hardness, purity, and acidity are especially important.

We test the pH of our water to guarantee it has the optimal acidity.   Proper water acidity level ensures the dough ferments as it should.  The alternative is to let hard water’s comparably high alkalinity minimize dough yeast activity, ultimately rendering flat dough that proves unfulfilling.  We strive for water with a pH slightly below 7.

Water Purity

Pure water is necessary to make a delicious pizza.  Water with an elevated chlorine level compromises pizza dough culture.  This is precisely why we test our water chlorine level with regularity.  Rest assured, the water used to make our pizza dough and other doughs used in our dishes is as pure as possible.

Water Hardness

Water hardness is a reference to the level of magnesium and calcium as measured by parts per million or ppm for short.  Hard water has in excess of 200 calcium/magnesium ppm.  Soft water is characterized by calcium/magnesium with less than 50 ppm.

We strictly use water with medium hardness, measuring between 100 and 150 ppm to create pizza dough with unparalleled taste.  This precise level of water mineral content is necessary to properly feed dough yeast and facilitate the fermentation process for truly unbeatable pizza.

Give our world-class pizza a taste and you will agree it is delizioso.  Our secret is our water but – shhh – don’t tell anyone!

Filed Under: Cooking Tips, Italian Food, Uncategorized Tagged With: Cooking, italian food, Pizza

January 8, 2019 by Kim Abbott

4 Interesting Things Italians Do Differently Than You Think

lamore italian restaurant cappuccino coffeePizza, pasta, wine – the list goes on and on when it comes to delicious, authentic Italian foods. However, while most people love to eat these dishes, there are some things you may not know.  Are you intrigued by Italian culture and food? If so, you are in the right place. Here you can learn more about Italian food, and even find out a few things you may have never knew. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Italians Don’t Drink Coffee the Way You Think They Do

For most people in America, starting out their day, then ending their day and several times in the middle – coffee is a must. Not just any coffee – milky, sweet, delicious coffee. However, Italians will only drink the popular milky coffee, such as cafe latte or cappuccino first thing when they get up in the morning. Many Italians don’t drink any other coffee throughout the day.

2. Never Walk While Eating

More than 70 percent of Italian people eat meals at home – all meals. They don’t have the typical on-the-go snacks that so many Americans consume on a regular basis. Cooking is something to enjoy and eating a meal is a pleasurable experience for Italians. The act of not eating or drinking while walking is something that is ingrained in children at a very young age. So the next time you visit Italy, don’t walk down the road eating a croissant and sipping coffee.

3. Authentic Italian Pizza is a Lot Simpler than You Think

There are some people who believe that for a pizza to be authentic, it should have a thick crust. However, in Italy, this is not the case. In fact, thicker crust is reserved for a focaccia. In Italy, pizza is a combination of thin dough, toppings, tomato sauce and the right cheese. The main focus is not the bread. This technique makes it possible to taste each of the ingredients that are included. The majority of pizzas served in the states are designed to fill you up with all the bread – after all, this is cheaper than the different toppings. However, this isn’t the case with authentic Italian pizza.

4. Salad Comes at the End of the Meal

The salad, along with the roughage that is found in the salad, will help you digest everything after you eat a big meal. It is all about the digestion process in Italy, and salad really helps with this. You won’t find too many restaurants that even offer a side salad with your regular meal.

When it comes to eating in Italy, there are more than a few things you need to consider. These food rules will ensure you eat the “right” way if you are planning to visit this country.

Filed Under: Italian Food Tagged With: coffee, Pizza, salad

April 25, 2018 by Kim Abbott

5 Ways to Use Italian Bread with Your Next Italian Meal

lamore italian restaurant breadAre you planning to prepare an authentic Italian meal? Do you want to have all the classic meats, pastas and sauce? What about Italian bread?  Italian bread is offered in an array of styles – from crispy and crunchy and light and fluffy. The fact is, no authentic meal would be complete without authentic Italian bread. However, are you unsure how to serve it? The fact is, there are multiple ways you can use Italian bread in your dish, with the top five highlighted here.

1. Make a Classic Italian Sandwich

There are several Italian breads that are ideal for making delicious sandwiches stacked full of Italian sausage, salami, pepperoni and more. One is the Muffuletta, with another being the Piadina. An even more popular option is ciabatta bread. While these breads have different densities and tastes, they both work great for a classic Italian sandwich.

2. Use Bread for Getting all the Sauce

When it comes to authentic Italian food, you don’t want to waste a morsel. As a result, you can have a flakey bread or even breadsticks served with your meal to ensure everyone can sop up all the sauce goodness left behind.

3. Make a Sweet Treat

While freselle isn’t technically a bread, it is still good enough to be added to this list. This is found in the southern regions of Italy and it can be used to make a great dessert or even an appetizer.

Many people top the bread with olive oil, basil and tomatoes, and some even soak it in water prior to eating it to make it softer.

4. Serve Bread to Accompany Soup

There’s no question that soup is commonly served during an Italian meal. Bread makes a great side item and is something you should include. Some people like to dip their bread in the soup, while others just eat along with the hot broth or past you have served. Even if they don’t necessarily eat the bread, it’s always nice to offer it with soup.

5. Make an Italian Pizza

What could be more Italian than pizza, right? You can use pane carasau or focaccia as your crust and make a delicious pizza. Everyone – kids and adults – are guaranteed to love the dish you create using this bread.

Are you ready to get cooking? While Italian cooking can seem overwhelming at first, it’s something that comes from the heart. Bread is a comfort food and something that should be a staple in any Italian meal. Be sure to use the tips here to find the perfect way to implement bread into your meal.

Filed Under: Healthy Food Tagged With: italian bread, Pizza

July 12, 2016 by Kim Abbott

Fun and Interesting Facts About Italian Food That You Probably Didn’t Know

Italian food receives more fanfare than any other ethnic cuisine for good reason. From pizza to pasta, gelato and wine, Italian food simply can’t be beat. Let’s take a look at some facts about these popular culinary creations that most people are unaware of.

Real Italian Pasta is Cooked al Dente

Traditional Italian pasta is rather rigid compared to American versions. Italians cook pasta “al dente”, meaning that it is removed from the cooking pan and served once it has reached its ideal texture. Plenty of Italian chefs will throw a few pieces of cooked pasta against the wall to see if they stick. Once sticking occurs, the pasta is ready to eat. Aside from tasting better, al dente pasta is also significantly easier for the digestive system to process than the overcooked pasta that most amateur chefs make.

Traditional Italian Pizza Features Thin Crust

The average American thinks that authentic pizza has medium to thick crust. This is the result of American cooks manipulating the traditional pizza recipe into their own unique versions. The truth is that the vast majority of pizzas served in the United States are nowhere near authentic. Real Italian pizza is distinguished from most American versions by its comparatively thin crust.

Speaking of Pizza, Italians Like it Simple

Authentic Italian pizza is referred to as pizza margherita. It is quite basic, featuring dough, tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil. Countries across the globe have altered this simple recipe into fancy versions that betray the food’s roots. Foodies will also find it interesting to know that pepperoni pizza is an American twist on traditional Italian pizza. In Italy, “peperoni” as they spell it, actually means bell pepper.

Fettuccine Alfredo is not Authentic Italian Fare

Contrary to popular opinion, Fettuccine Alfredo does not represent traditional Italian food. Legitimate examples of Italian pasta dishes are lasagna, ravioli and spaghetti with meatballs. Those creamy and cheesy Alfredo dishes certainly taste good yet they are primarily served in Italian restaurants in the United states rather than Italy. Few know that this dish debuted in 1914 when Alfredo di Lelio trademarked it. The dish exploded in popularity at his New York restaurant and was soon copied by chefs throughout the United States. Yet few Italian chefs in the homeland added it to their menus.

Italy’s Espresso is Quite Simple

A considerable percentage of Italy’s population consumes espresso. Many drink it for breakfast and after lunch/dinner. Yet true espresso does not contain flavor shots like those added to most American versions of the coffee. Real espresso does not contain milk either. If you order a latte version of anything in Italy, you would likely be served with a glass of plain milk.

Filed Under: Cooking Tips Tagged With: Pasta, Pizza

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  • Home
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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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