Cannoli

Originating from Sicily, cannoli are among Italy’s most famous pastries. These crispy, fried dough tubes filled with a sweet, creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, sugar, and often chocolate chips or candied fruit, offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Making cannoli at home can be a fun challenge!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chocofusion Catania (@chocofusion_ct)

Tiramisu

While not a pastry in the traditional sense, tiramisu deserves a mention. It’s a delicious combination of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar, and cocoa powder. This no-bake dessert is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine, easily recreated in any home kitchen for a taste of Italian luxury.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cook's Country (@cookscountry)

Pasticciotto

Coming from the region of Puglia, pasticciotto is a shortcrust pastry filled with creamy custard. Often enjoyed as a breakfast treat with a cup of coffee, its simplicity belies its deliciousness. Making pasticciotto at home allows for customization of the filling, with variations including chocolate, almond, and lemon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pasticceria Adolfo Stefanelli (@pasticceriaadolfostefanelli)

The post 3 Dreamiest Italian Pastries to Try appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Ingredients:

For the Filling

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of nutmeg

Additional Ingredients

• 12 cannelloni tubes
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Olive oil for greasing

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ricotta, chopped spinach, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. 
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish. 
3. Fill cannelloni tubes with the spinach-ricotta mixture, using a piping bag or spoon. 
4. Lay a layer of marinara sauce in the dish, then arrange the filled tubes in a single layer. Cover cannelloni with remaining sauce and top with mozzarella. 
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 more minutes until golden. 
6. Let the cannelloni cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

The post Thus Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni is a Piece of Italy appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to prepare Italian stuffed peppers at home? Here’s a recipe for you to try.

Ingredients

• 3 Bell Peppers
• 400 g ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• One cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ chopped white onion
• 10 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Start off by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. 

Next, you’ll want to halve your peppers and remove the seeds and all of the “guts” from the inside of them. Set them aside on a baking dish lined with aluminum foil.

Once you’ve done this, add the olive oil to a large frying pan and heat on medium heat. After you’ve done this, add the ground beef, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, red wine, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and chopped onion and cook. Stir occasionally.

When you see that the meat is almost cooked, add 4 slices of mozzarella cheese and stir in. This will give the peppers an added boost of creamy flavor.

When your meat is done cooking, fill the insides of the peppers with the ground beef mixture. After they’re full, top them with a slice of mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes, and enjoy!

The post Italian Stuffed Peppers At Home appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Looking to expand your Italian palate? Seek out these three fantastic regional dishes.

Pilau (Sardinia)

Pilau is a dish that is popular on the island of Sardinia, one of Italy’s two Mediterranean island regions. Similar to pilaf, this rice dish is prepared with spices, herbs, meat or fish, vegetables, and seasoned with broth to give it a rich and succulent flavor.

Bagna Caôda (Piedmont)

Garlic and anchovies are the base of this dip which is popular in Piedmont, a northwestern Italian region. Served in a way that is similar to fondue, with a heat source placed below the serving dish, vegetables are dipped into this mixture, which is beloved by millions of Piedmontese.

Cacio e Pepe (Rome)

The Italian capital of Rome is the birthplace of this pasta dish, which is as simple as it is delicious. Literally meaning “cheese and pepper,” this dish has only four ingredients: spaghetti, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and salt. You’ll be amazed at just how good it tastes.

The post Little-Known Italian Regional Dishes You Must Try appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Despite its ubiquity, there are plenty of secrets and facts about mozzarella that most don’t know. Check out these mozzarella tidbits to learn a little more!

It’s Traditionally Made With Buffalo Milk

This is the one key fact that most people don’t know about mozzarella cheese: it is traditionally prepared with milk from buffaloes! The Italian Mediterranean buffalo, a member of the water buffalo family, lends its milk to make the traditional form of mozzarella.

It’s a Great Source of Calcium

Mozzarella cheese is quite fatty and is considered in some respects to be unhealthy, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have redeeming characteristics. In fact, mozzarella cheese is a great source of calcium, with a 100 gram serving of it containing 73% of your recommended daily dose of this mineral.

You Shouldn’t Freeze It

Want to use a bunch of fresh mozzarella before it goes bad? Well, you better get to cooking, because it doesn’t hold up well to being frozen. In fact, mozzarella cheese that is frozen and then reused is quite unpalatable due to its physical composition being ruined by the process of freezing.

The post Three Things You Didn’t Know About Mozzarella Cheese appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

St. Louis is the home of one of the strangest regional favorites in the United States, fried ravioli. And yes, fried ravioli is exactly what you think it is—the Italian pasta favorite which has then been deep fried.

Charlie Gitto’s and Mary’s on the Hill, two classic Gateway City Italian joints located in The Hill, the city’s classic Italian neighborhood, claim to be the restaurant that came up with this strange creation in the 1940s.

What’s for sure is that this dish is uniquely American. Adapting ravioli to the American palate, which loves fried things, makes this dish a creation that would probably only become popular in the United States.

Commonly served topped with Parmesan cheese and Marinara sauce for dipping, fried ravioli remains a favorite to this day in St. Louis.

So, if you find yourself passing through St. Louis in the future, be sure to order up a plate of fried ravioli and try this weird favorite yourself!

The post Fried Ravioli is a Strange St. Louis Favorite appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano tastes similar to regular parmesan, but it has a more delicate flavor. It’s great for when you just want to upgrade your cheese game without changing too much about your favorite meals.

Grana Padano

This is another excellent choice that contains a bit less fat, but also comes from cow’s milk. It’s not too extravagant; you’ll still have the same satisfaction from it when you grate it on top of your pasta plate, you’ll just feel fancier and, if you’re dining with friends, you can show them that you know your cheeses.

Pecorino Romano

This is a hard, salty type of cheese that’s made from sheep’s milk. It pairs really nicely with fruit and wine; we recommend you try grating it over a plate of strawberries with honey.

The post The Best Italian Cheeses to Use For Grating appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, we know what our choice for the most romantic place to eat in the world is, and it probably isn’t what you would imagine!

Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant and hotel located on the Adriatic Coast in Polignano a Mare, Italy, is so romantic. Why? Well, all you have to do is take a look at the unique setting in which it is located.

This five-star hotel is located on top of a sea cliff, but if you go down to the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, you will find one of the most stunning dining rooms on Earth. Diners at Grotta Palazzese are treated with the experience of dining in a sea cave overlooking the Mediterranean.

Parties and banquets have been hosted in this perfect space since the early 18th century, and it is now one of the most spectacular restaurants on Earth. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try a delicious tasting menu with an enviable selection of wines, all in one of the most magical settings on the planet.

If you’re looking for a place to take your date, this is it!

The post You Can Eat in a Sea Cave at This Restaurant appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Want to make your lasagna a little more exciting? Here are some delicious ingredients that you can add to make it unique.

Pepperoni

We grew up eating lots of lasagna as children, and our family’s recipe always included pepperoni. This Italian cured meat adds a rich touch to lasagna and makes it even tastier.

Italian Sausage

Lasagna is delicious, but it isn’t always the most flavor-forward dish. If you’re looking to jazz up your lasagna and add stronger flavors, using Italian sausage instead of normal ground meat is a fantastic option.

Spinach

Lasagna doesn’t have to be an unhealthy dish! In fact, if you replace the meat with spinach, you’ll make a healthy and vegetarian-friendly dish that is both guilt-free and super flavorful.

Eggplant

Eggplant is another great alternative for meat in lasagna dishes. Or, if you want to have the best of both worlds, top your lasagna with eggplant for a fun decorative element!

The post Lasagna is Even More Delicious With These Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

One popular Italian city that many claim doesn’t have the best pizza is Milan. However, there is at least one stand-out spot that makes pies that are absolutely to die for.

Pizza AM, located on a sleepy side street to the southeast of the center of this bustling city, is undoubtedly the number one spot for delicious pizza in Milan.

Pizza AM is unique in that it doesn’t take reservations, it has a completely relaxed atmosphere, and it has a very limited menu. Instead of showing up at a specific time for which you have reserved a table, you’ll simply wait until one is available. The good thing, however, is that they offer up free shots of traditional liquors and bites of food while you wait!

Once seated, you’ll find a limited menu of traditional Napoli-style pizzas. They feature simple pies, such as Margherita, caprese, and napolitana pies, but the ingredients are so fresh and the pizzas so perfectly wood-fired that you won’t be able to expect anything more.

Be sure to give this iconic restaurant a chance to satisfy your pizza fix the next time you’re in Milan!

The post Milan’s Best Pizza Spot is Pizza AM appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Cannoli

Originating from Sicily, cannoli are among Italy’s most famous pastries. These crispy, fried dough tubes filled with a sweet, creamy mixture of ricotta cheese, sugar, and often chocolate chips or candied fruit, offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. Making cannoli at home can be a fun challenge!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chocofusion Catania (@chocofusion_ct)

Tiramisu

While not a pastry in the traditional sense, tiramisu deserves a mention. It’s a delicious combination of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar, and cocoa powder. This no-bake dessert is a testament to the simplicity and elegance of Italian cuisine, easily recreated in any home kitchen for a taste of Italian luxury.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Cook's Country (@cookscountry)

Pasticciotto

Coming from the region of Puglia, pasticciotto is a shortcrust pastry filled with creamy custard. Often enjoyed as a breakfast treat with a cup of coffee, its simplicity belies its deliciousness. Making pasticciotto at home allows for customization of the filling, with variations including chocolate, almond, and lemon.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pasticceria Adolfo Stefanelli (@pasticceriaadolfostefanelli)

The post 3 Dreamiest Italian Pastries to Try appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Ingredients:

For the Filling

• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• Salt and pepper to taste
• A pinch of nutmeg

Additional Ingredients

• 12 cannelloni tubes
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Olive oil for greasing

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix ricotta, chopped spinach, Parmesan, egg, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. 
2. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a baking dish. 
3. Fill cannelloni tubes with the spinach-ricotta mixture, using a piping bag or spoon. 
4. Lay a layer of marinara sauce in the dish, then arrange the filled tubes in a single layer. Cover cannelloni with remaining sauce and top with mozzarella. 
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 more minutes until golden. 
6. Let the cannelloni cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

The post Thus Spinach Ricotta Cannelloni is a Piece of Italy appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Have you ever wanted to learn how to prepare Italian stuffed peppers at home? Here’s a recipe for you to try.

Ingredients

• 3 Bell Peppers
• 400 g ground beef
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• One cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon red wine
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ chopped white onion
• 10 slices mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Start off by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F. 

Next, you’ll want to halve your peppers and remove the seeds and all of the “guts” from the inside of them. Set them aside on a baking dish lined with aluminum foil.

Once you’ve done this, add the olive oil to a large frying pan and heat on medium heat. After you’ve done this, add the ground beef, tomato sauce, balsamic vinegar, red wine, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and chopped onion and cook. Stir occasionally.

When you see that the meat is almost cooked, add 4 slices of mozzarella cheese and stir in. This will give the peppers an added boost of creamy flavor.

When your meat is done cooking, fill the insides of the peppers with the ground beef mixture. After they’re full, top them with a slice of mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes, and enjoy!

The post Italian Stuffed Peppers At Home appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Looking to expand your Italian palate? Seek out these three fantastic regional dishes.

Pilau (Sardinia)

Pilau is a dish that is popular on the island of Sardinia, one of Italy’s two Mediterranean island regions. Similar to pilaf, this rice dish is prepared with spices, herbs, meat or fish, vegetables, and seasoned with broth to give it a rich and succulent flavor.

Bagna Caôda (Piedmont)

Garlic and anchovies are the base of this dip which is popular in Piedmont, a northwestern Italian region. Served in a way that is similar to fondue, with a heat source placed below the serving dish, vegetables are dipped into this mixture, which is beloved by millions of Piedmontese.

Cacio e Pepe (Rome)

The Italian capital of Rome is the birthplace of this pasta dish, which is as simple as it is delicious. Literally meaning “cheese and pepper,” this dish has only four ingredients: spaghetti, grated Pecorino Romano cheese, black pepper, and salt. You’ll be amazed at just how good it tastes.

The post Little-Known Italian Regional Dishes You Must Try appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Despite its ubiquity, there are plenty of secrets and facts about mozzarella that most don’t know. Check out these mozzarella tidbits to learn a little more!

It’s Traditionally Made With Buffalo Milk

This is the one key fact that most people don’t know about mozzarella cheese: it is traditionally prepared with milk from buffaloes! The Italian Mediterranean buffalo, a member of the water buffalo family, lends its milk to make the traditional form of mozzarella.

It’s a Great Source of Calcium

Mozzarella cheese is quite fatty and is considered in some respects to be unhealthy, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have redeeming characteristics. In fact, mozzarella cheese is a great source of calcium, with a 100 gram serving of it containing 73% of your recommended daily dose of this mineral.

You Shouldn’t Freeze It

Want to use a bunch of fresh mozzarella before it goes bad? Well, you better get to cooking, because it doesn’t hold up well to being frozen. In fact, mozzarella cheese that is frozen and then reused is quite unpalatable due to its physical composition being ruined by the process of freezing.

The post Three Things You Didn’t Know About Mozzarella Cheese appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

St. Louis is the home of one of the strangest regional favorites in the United States, fried ravioli. And yes, fried ravioli is exactly what you think it is—the Italian pasta favorite which has then been deep fried.

Charlie Gitto’s and Mary’s on the Hill, two classic Gateway City Italian joints located in The Hill, the city’s classic Italian neighborhood, claim to be the restaurant that came up with this strange creation in the 1940s.

What’s for sure is that this dish is uniquely American. Adapting ravioli to the American palate, which loves fried things, makes this dish a creation that would probably only become popular in the United States.

Commonly served topped with Parmesan cheese and Marinara sauce for dipping, fried ravioli remains a favorite to this day in St. Louis.

So, if you find yourself passing through St. Louis in the future, be sure to order up a plate of fried ravioli and try this weird favorite yourself!

The post Fried Ravioli is a Strange St. Louis Favorite appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Parmigiano Reggiano

Parmigiano Reggiano tastes similar to regular parmesan, but it has a more delicate flavor. It’s great for when you just want to upgrade your cheese game without changing too much about your favorite meals.

Grana Padano

This is another excellent choice that contains a bit less fat, but also comes from cow’s milk. It’s not too extravagant; you’ll still have the same satisfaction from it when you grate it on top of your pasta plate, you’ll just feel fancier and, if you’re dining with friends, you can show them that you know your cheeses.

Pecorino Romano

This is a hard, salty type of cheese that’s made from sheep’s milk. It pairs really nicely with fruit and wine; we recommend you try grating it over a plate of strawberries with honey.

The post The Best Italian Cheeses to Use For Grating appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Well, we know what our choice for the most romantic place to eat in the world is, and it probably isn’t what you would imagine!

Grotta Palazzese, a restaurant and hotel located on the Adriatic Coast in Polignano a Mare, Italy, is so romantic. Why? Well, all you have to do is take a look at the unique setting in which it is located.

This five-star hotel is located on top of a sea cliff, but if you go down to the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant, you will find one of the most stunning dining rooms on Earth. Diners at Grotta Palazzese are treated with the experience of dining in a sea cave overlooking the Mediterranean.

Parties and banquets have been hosted in this perfect space since the early 18th century, and it is now one of the most spectacular restaurants on Earth. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to try a delicious tasting menu with an enviable selection of wines, all in one of the most magical settings on the planet.

If you’re looking for a place to take your date, this is it!

The post You Can Eat in a Sea Cave at This Restaurant appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

Want to make your lasagna a little more exciting? Here are some delicious ingredients that you can add to make it unique.

Pepperoni

We grew up eating lots of lasagna as children, and our family’s recipe always included pepperoni. This Italian cured meat adds a rich touch to lasagna and makes it even tastier.

Italian Sausage

Lasagna is delicious, but it isn’t always the most flavor-forward dish. If you’re looking to jazz up your lasagna and add stronger flavors, using Italian sausage instead of normal ground meat is a fantastic option.

Spinach

Lasagna doesn’t have to be an unhealthy dish! In fact, if you replace the meat with spinach, you’ll make a healthy and vegetarian-friendly dish that is both guilt-free and super flavorful.

Eggplant

Eggplant is another great alternative for meat in lasagna dishes. Or, if you want to have the best of both worlds, top your lasagna with eggplant for a fun decorative element!

The post Lasagna is Even More Delicious With These Ingredients appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.

One popular Italian city that many claim doesn’t have the best pizza is Milan. However, there is at least one stand-out spot that makes pies that are absolutely to die for.

Pizza AM, located on a sleepy side street to the southeast of the center of this bustling city, is undoubtedly the number one spot for delicious pizza in Milan.

Pizza AM is unique in that it doesn’t take reservations, it has a completely relaxed atmosphere, and it has a very limited menu. Instead of showing up at a specific time for which you have reserved a table, you’ll simply wait until one is available. The good thing, however, is that they offer up free shots of traditional liquors and bites of food while you wait!

Once seated, you’ll find a limited menu of traditional Napoli-style pizzas. They feature simple pies, such as Margherita, caprese, and napolitana pies, but the ingredients are so fresh and the pizzas so perfectly wood-fired that you won’t be able to expect anything more.

Be sure to give this iconic restaurant a chance to satisfy your pizza fix the next time you’re in Milan!

The post Milan’s Best Pizza Spot is Pizza AM appeared first on falafelandcaviar.com.