Food & Wine

Italian food and wine are the most popular in the world. They are the result of centuries of innovation,
experimentation, study, and artisanal mastery. Most important, they are the pride and joy of Italy. Yet,
in some ways Italian food is a victim of its own popularity and is often misinterpreted and distorted.
In this section, we provide a condensed history and accurate description of the most popular Italian foods: Pizza, Pasta, Bread, Cheese, Olive Oil, Salumi, Desserts and Gelato, Espresso, Wines, and Liquors. We also provide a map of the regions of Italy, each with its own rich history and culinary specialties. We hope to preserve and promote authenticity!

Wine Pairings for Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

Check out our recipe for Spaghetti alla Puttanesca and our About post that gives a brief history of the... Read More »

Garlic

About Spaghetti alla Puttanesca

It is no joke when I say that Spaghetti alla Puttanesca has a history almost as rich as the dish itself.  Supposedly crafted in Southern Italy mid-20th century, the dish’s scandalous name has been credited to “women of the... Read More »

About Peperoni 640

About Peperoni (Peppers)

Peperoni with one "P" equals a pepper in Italy, but I know for a fact that when many Americans read this that they think of Pepperoni with two "P"s.  Pepperoni is a dried salami (a dry sausage), an Italian-American treat,... Read More »

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Wine Pairings for Creste di Gallo con Peperoni e Salciccia (Red Peppers and Sausage)

Wine Pairings for Creste di Gallo con Peperoni e Salciccia Rosso: Fattoria Rodano Poggialupi, Chianti Classico, Chianti Riserva Viacosta, Monna Claudia IGT The key to this Sunday Pasta pairing is finding a wine that is... Read More »

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Wine Pairings for Farfalle all’Arrabbiata (Spicy Tomato Sauce)

Wine Pairings for Farfalle all'Arrabbiata Rosso: Fià Nobile Frappato or Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Cantine Farro’s Campi Flegri Piedirosso Arrabbiata basically means angry. Luckily, wine cures most everything and it can even... Read More »

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Wine Pairings for Strangozzi con le Capesante (Scallops)

Wine Pairings for Strangozzi con le Capesante Spumante: Drusian Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore Millesimato, Sommariva Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Brut, Col Vetoraz Prosecco Cartizze Superiore Brut Bianco: Scubla... Read More »

Isolated shell

About Capesante (Scallops)

Capesante means "scallop" in Italian, but the word itself seems to have come from the  Old French word escalope meaning "shell."  Scallops were first mentioned in print in 1280, when Marco Polo wrote about scallops being one of... Read More »

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Wine Pairings for Rigatoni con Cipolle (Onions)

Wine Pairings for Rigatoni con Cipolle Bianco: Perusini Ribolla Gialla, Radikon Ribolla Gialla or Oslavje Rosso: Vaona Odino Valpolicella, Hilberg Pasquero Vareij As a frequent traveler, I stock my freezer with left-overs... Read More »

About Cipolle 640

About Cipolle (Onions)

Onions, although a pungent taste on their own they truly “hold their own” in adding significant flavor to many, many recipes.  For Italians it is a basic.  In Italy, they make food simple with quality; sometimes in America... Read More »

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Wine Pairings for Tagliatelle con Ragú di Agnello (Lamb)

Wine Pairings for Tagliatelle con Ragú  di Agnello Rosso: Alessandro di Camporeale Syrah Kaid, Bisceglia Syrah Armilla, Tua Rita Syrah, Le Macchiole Scrio My favorite black grape with lamb is Syrah. Both are a bit gamey... Read More »