Sugo al Pomodoro (Comfort food)
What is the first thing you think about when you think about Italy? Correct, the great food! And what better food to start with than with the most classic Italian pasta recipe: spaghetti al pomodoro (tomato sauce). This incredibly simple recipe relies on the simplest and freshest ingredients thus delivering that loving, home-made taste we all enjoy. Simmer up some ripe tomatoes, throw in some flavorful basil leaves, and add a pinch of salt to make a pasta sauce that will smell so wonderful it will make your mouth water no matter how far you are from the kitchen. Oh, and don’t forget the “parmigiano” on top! That’s the best part. This recipe is so easy to follow; anyone can do it! Now, go out and gather some tomatoes because we both know what you’re making for dinner.
Aglio, Olio, e Peperoncino (Garlic, Oil, and Pepper)
Alright, picture this scenario. It’s midnight, everyone is asleep, everything is pitch-black and silent, but you are just so, so hungry. You sneak into your kitchen and your heart drops at the sight of an empty fridge. The only thing you seem to have is garlic, some red pepper flakes, and olive oil. Oh wait! That’s all you need for a classic pasta recipe! This pasta dish, branded in Italy as the “Midnight Pasta”, is incredibly quick and simple to make and uses three ingredients that everyone can find in their kitchen (no matter how long it’s been since the last Costco run). This recipe is so easy that you can make it in the same amount of time it will take your water to boil. Who doesn’t love speed and efficiency? Especially when you’re hungry. The final thing to add is some chopped up parsley on top and your perfect midnight dish is ready. This is the classic ‘aglio, olio, e peperoncino’, but if you want to try something new, you can also add some toasted breadcrumbs on top. This is how they do it in Southern Italy! Whether you opt for the classic recipe or the Southern dish, this pasta is simple, delicious, and perfect for the night.
Pesto
Great cuisine isn’t the only thing Italy has to offer; it also has beautiful cities and tourist attractions famous across the globe. Here, we’re going to focus on one particular region: Liguria. This coastline region in Italy is home to several wonderful places such as Portofino, le Cinque Terre, and the romantic “Via dell’ Amore”. It is also home to the city of Genoa where pesto was born. This flavorful recipe only requires some fresh basil, common kitchen ingredients, and a small blender of your choice. Of course, this recipe was traditionally made completely by hand in quaint, Italian houses. For all of us living in the modern tech world, however, we rely on our steel blades. Fun fact: the region of Liguria traditionally makes this recipe by blending potatoes and green beans into the pesto. As Central Italians, we stick to the classic basil and pine nuts, but go ahead and experiment! Italian dishes never go wrong.
