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2. Italian food is one of the most beloved of the world’s great cuisines. The simple approach to cooking, the use of seasonal produce and the deeply embedded culinary traditions of the Italians are loved around the world

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4. ITALY key ingredients Balsamic Vinegar Balsamic Vinegar is dark, thick and syrupy with a complex, sweet taste and much more expensive than common vinegars. It originated in the Modena region of Italy and you should look for this on the label along with a star rating. 8 stars is excellent and more concentrated. Basil Basil (basilico) is an Italian herb used to flavour sauces, salads and added to pizza after cooking. Bread Pane di Casa or Ciabatta should be crusty on the outside and not too doughy or too airy inside. Serve with cheese, prosciutto and used for the well known bruschetta. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil is used for dipping bread into, drizzling over salads and cooked dishes as well as for cooking with. Look for cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, it will be a rich golden, green colour.

5. ITALY Formaggio Formaggio is cheese with two main categories Sweet (dolce) or with bite (picante). Gorgonzola Gorgonzola is a creamy blue cheese used in the classic dish Gnocchi Gorgonzola. Ricotta Ricotta is a very versatile cheese used in both sweet (cannolli) and savoury dishes (ravioli). Mozzarella and Bocconcini Mozzarella and Bocconcini are both a soft, mild fresh cheese. Bocconcini means 'small mouthful’. Parmesan Parmesan is known as the 'the King of cheeses'.

6. ITALY Olives There are many types available including Sicilian; a green olive with a citrusy flavour, giant green olives and Ligurian; which are small black olives. Pasta dried and fresh Supermarket shelves groan under the weight of the enormous variety of pasta available. Pasta is usually eaten in most Italian households every day. Fresh pasta has a silkier texture. Tomatoes Tinned tomatoes are used for many dishes incuding pasta sauces.

7. ITALY regional differences The Roman cuisine for example usually uses sheep's cheese and organic meat Tuscan cooking is using white beans and bread without salt. In Rome the pizzas are very thin like crackers, and Neapolitan and Sicilian pizzas are thicker. than their counterparts. The Northern Italian dishes are influenced by French cooking, because of the proximity of the French border. Emilia-Romagna is the number one with wheat production in Italy, and is also known for their stuffed pasta. Napoli is considered as the home of pizza and mozzarella.

8. ITALY meal structure Traditionally, meals in Italy usually contain 5 courses. Antipasto - these are hot and cold appetizers. Primo (The First Course), which usually consists some hot dish like pasta, risotto or soup. Secondo (The Second Course), which is also the main dish, usually fish or meat, Contorno (The Side Dish) usually is a salad or vegetables. Dolce, there is no better way to finish your meal by Dessert. Today, the traditional Italian menu is kept mainly for special events (such as weddings) while an everyday menu includes only the first and second course, the side dish and coffee.

9. ITALY history of pasta Nothing says Italy like its food, and nothing says Italian food like pasta By the 1300's dried pasta was very popular for its nutrition and long shelf life

10. ITALY Different shapes of pasta have appeared and new technology made pasta easier to make. However the next big advancement in the history of pasta would not come until the 19th century when pasta met tomatoes.

11. ITALY history of pasta Therefore it was not until 1839 that the first pasta recipe with tomatoes was documented. However shortly thereafter tomatoes took hold, especially in the south of Italy. The rest of course is delicious history.

12. ITALY It is estimated that Italians eat over sixty pounds of pasta per person, per year There are roughly 350 different shapes and varieties of dried pasta in Italy, even more counting regional differences.

13. ITALY history of pizza There are not too many nations that can say their national dish has become an international phenomenon. Italy has two such dishes, pasta and of course pizza.

14. ITALY history of pizza The word "pizza" is thought to have come from the Latin word pinsa, meaning flatbread By the Middle Ages these early pizzas started to take on a more modern look and taste.

15. ITALY history of pizza The introduction of tomatoes to Italian cuisine in the 18th and early 19th centuries finally gave us the true modern Italian pizza. As pizza popularity increased, street vendors gave way to actual shops where people could order a custom pizza with many different toppings.

16. ITALY Neapolitan style pizza had now spread throughout Italy and each region started designing their own versions based on the Italian culinary rule of fresh, local ingredients. http://www.lifeinitaly.com/food