Italy Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:55:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 5 Delicious Foods You Shouldn’t Miss For the World in Sicily https://thedancingcucumber.com/5-delicious-foods-you-shouldnt-miss-for-the-world-in-sicily/ Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:58:27 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=10080 Many delicious foods that we all know and love originate from Italy, and Sicily is home to some of the very best. A visit to this beautiful Mediterranean island is incomplete if you don’t try some of the Sicilian traditional foods, and here are five that everyone’s raving about. Arancini You’ll see arancini at every […]

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]]> Many delicious foods that we all know and love originate from Italy, and Sicily is home to some of the very best. A visit to this beautiful Mediterranean island is incomplete if you don’t try some of the Sicilian traditional foods, and here are five that everyone’s raving about.

Arancini

You’ll see arancini at every turn during your visit to Sicily, and they’re worth a shot. The best thing about these deep-fried rice balls is the wide variety of different flavor combos to choose from.

Pasta Alla Norma

A visit to Italy is incomplete if you don’t eat some pasta, and pasta all norma is one of Sicily’s all-time classics. The list of its main ingredients includes fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata cheese.

Caponata

Eggplant is a common ingredient in many of Sicily’s traditional dishes, including caponata. It’s made with mixed fried veggies and served in agrodolce sauce, while olive oil, tomato sauce, and celery are used as a seasoning.

Cannoli

Sicily is home to countless delicious desserts, but none gets more attention than cannoli. These tube-shaped fried pastries are usually filled with ricotta cheese, but you can try different traditional flavors in different regions.

Granita

Granita is another classic you shouldn’t miss for the world. This semi-frozen treat is made with sugar, water, and different flavorings, and it will help you beat the Sicilian heat.

The post 5 Delicious Foods You Shouldn’t Miss For the World in Sicily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home https://thedancingcucumber.com/how-you-can-make-an-authentic-sicilian-pizza-at-home/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:29:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9149 While you may think that you need to travel to Italy to indulge in an authentic pizza, with the right ingredients, you can create the perfect Sicilian-style pizza in your own kitchen. Here’s how you can craft a delicious and authentic Sicilian pizza at home. Bake the Base Whether you pre-purchase the pizza base or […]

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]]> While you may think that you need to travel to Italy to indulge in an authentic pizza, with the right ingredients, you can create the perfect Sicilian-style pizza in your own kitchen. Here’s how you can craft a delicious and authentic Sicilian pizza at home.

Bake the Base

Whether you pre-purchase the pizza base or make your own, you’ll need to ensure that it is well-coated in oil and baked in the oven until it becomes puffy and rises. Make sure to keep checking on your base and ensure that it remains flat and that it doesn’t become too oily. Blot out any areas where there is too much moisture.

Prep the Toppings

Once your base is ready, set it aside to cool for around 20 to 30 minutes. Then, cut some squash into spirals and grate your mozzarella cheese. Cut up some slices of salami and pour one and a quarter cups of pizza sauce into a jug or container so you can pour it later.

Time to Put it All Together

Take a spoon and spread the sauce evenly across the pizza base. Once you have the amount of sauce you want, sprinkle the cheese evenly before adding your slices of squash and salami. Finally, bake the pizza until the bottom is golden brown and enjoy.

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]]> Dishes To Bring The Taste Of Italy To Your Home https://thedancingcucumber.com/dishes-to-bring-the-taste-of-italy-to-your-home/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:47:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8585 If there’s one thing that Italy is world famous for, it’s the food. From pizzas to pasta, veal, and even gelato, Italy has a diverse range of dishes for any occasion. Here are some exquisite Italian meals that you can cook to impress your friends and family and bring the taste of Italy to your […]

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]]> If there’s one thing that Italy is world famous for, it’s the food. From pizzas to pasta, veal, and even gelato, Italy has a diverse range of dishes for any occasion. Here are some exquisite Italian meals that you can cook to impress your friends and family and bring the taste of Italy to your home.

Four Cheese Ravioli

Get your hands on some ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and provolone cheese, and pack them inside each piece of ravioli. Whip up a garlic, pesto, and cream sauce, and watch as your dinner guests marvel as they bite into their ravioli and discover a cheese explosion.

Ravioli Lasagna

Here, you’ll combine two Italian classics to make a unique-tasting blend. All you need for this dish is frozen ravioli, your pasta sauce of choice, and grated mozzarella. Place the ravioli at the base of the tray and layer the cheese and pasta sauce on top.

Neopolitan Pizza

While New York-style pizza has become mainstream, Neopolitan pizza is the traditional style pioneered in the Italian city of Naples. Start by needing the pizza dough, making sure that the edges are puffy. Add some Napolitana or Pomodoro sauce or any other tomato-based sauce that takes your fancy and spread it finely across the base, avoiding the puffy edges of the dough. Add mozzarella or buffalo cheese, or even a combination, and cut the pieces into large circles as opposed to grating them.

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]]> There’s a Pizza Vending Machine in Rome https://thedancingcucumber.com/theres-a-pizza-vending-machine-in-rome/ Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:11:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7537 Italy is famous for pizza, but one entrepreneur noticed a hole in this otherwise very saturated market. Former pizza maker (or pizzaiolo) Massimo Bucolo noticed that there are plenty of places to get pizza in Rome, but virtually none of them work at night. “There was a hole in the market. Although Rome is an […]

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]]> Italy is famous for pizza, but one entrepreneur noticed a hole in this otherwise very saturated market. Former pizza maker (or pizzaiolo) Massimo Bucolo noticed that there are plenty of places to get pizza in Rome, but virtually none of them work at night. “There was a hole in the market. Although Rome is an important city, there was nothing [foodwise] available through the night,” he told CNN Travel. “We never wanted to compete with a classic pizzeria.”

That’s how he came up with Mr. Go, the first pizza vending machine. Technically, what Mr. Go makes isn’t traditional pizza, as it uses piadina flatbread instead of dough. Bucolo admits that making real pizza in the vending machine would be impossible because that process requires a skilled chef and a wood-fired oven.

The first Mr. Go sits in a residential part of Rome, the capital of Italy, called Piazza Bologna. Bucolo is testing the market by putting the machine nearby a student area and a hospital, as he believes people there need nighttime food options. You can choose among four types of pizza, including a classical Margherita, Quattro formaggi with four types of cheese, spicy salami, and pancetta (basically premium bacon).

The post There’s a Pizza Vending Machine in Rome appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Discover Italian Cooking with Mimi Thorisson https://thedancingcucumber.com/discover-italian-cooking-with-mimi-thorisson/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 11:24:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5697 Let’s face it, it might be some time before we can travel internationally and fully enjoy what this world has to offer. But nothing stops us from recreating a miniature traveling experience through our kitchens. This week, we take to Italy—courtesy of French cook and writer Mimi Thorisson. Her recent cookbook, Old World Italian: Recipes and […]

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]]> Let’s face it, it might be some time before we can travel internationally and fully enjoy what this world has to offer. But nothing stops us from recreating a miniature traveling experience through our kitchens. This week, we take to Italy—courtesy of French cook and writer Mimi Thorisson.

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This polenta, olive oil and sage cake has become my family’s favorite treat. I am delighted to team up with @furtunaskin, we will be cooking together and sharing this recipe step by step today at 11am EST / 5pm CET time. One of their star ingredients is olive oil, which is also the star in the recipe, making everything extra delicious, rich and flavorful. It has truly been a joy to discover their organic Sicilian @bonafurtunafarm from Corleone, celebrating all good things like biodiversity and sustainable farming. I have a special love for Sicily, a land so untouched and full of history. @furtunaskin will also be hosting a giveaway with their made-in-italy #FurtunaSkin products & my new cookbook, Old World Italian. I hope you will enjoy this cooking session, so tune in! For the recipe, you will need: A round cake pan 8 or 9-inch/ 20/22 cm Preheat oven 400F/200C 110g plain flour 170g polenta 240ml milk 180ml Bona Furtuna Extra Virgin Olive Oil 70g breadcrumbs 1 tbsp of baking powder 1 tbsp of sugar 3 tablespoons of fresh chopped sage, plus 5 leaves to decorate 4 shallots, finely chopped A pinch of salt and black pepper 120g grated Parmigiano 2 eggs, beaten Olive oil for frying #instalive #cooking #bonafurtunafarm #giveaway #furtunapartner

A post shared by Mimi Thorisson (@mimithor) on

Her recent cookbook, Old World Italian: Recipes and Secrets from Our Travels in Italy, provides the perfect introduction to Italian cooking. Providing 100 recipes for authentic, classic dishes that are mostly easy to prepare, the book is also enriched by Thorisson’s conversations with devoted local food experts. More importantly—it’s a beautifully curated book, making it a pleasure to flip through.

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A quick stop between swimming in two seas. A few beautiful days spent in the Baroque gem that is Modica. Swapping all the flavors of the seas for rustic Sicilian country cooking. Deep rich tomato and meat sauces, raviolis stuffed with the finest ricotta, unique desserts made with the powerful Modican chocolate, made in the most ancient ways inspired by the Aztecs. I loved the pastries at @bonajuto (pictured in the photo). The perfect miniature cassata cake, the Aranciata, a typical local treat. It’s a sort of nougat prepared with Sicilian orange peel cooked in honey, the grand ‘chou’ filled with a pistachio and ricotta cream. Modica reminds me of an antique snow globe, but instead of seeing snowflakes, you see a beautiful Baroque town covered with scintillas of beautiful flowers, cocoa beans, almonds and pistachios. I am continuing to pursue my wonderlust for Sicily in the most flavorful ways. #modica #sicily @palazzo.ilcavaliere

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According to Thorisson, the French and Italian kitchens differ greatly. “I think that is a very big difference because France is all about sauce, and just building up a beautiful sauce and reduction with your meats and whatever you were braising,” she told La Cucina Italiana.

“In Italy, first and foremost, the ceremonial making of pastas is already very unique compared to France. Just the whole art of making pasta for me was very important and very different for me. But you know, French people they fetishize food, but in Italy—it’s all about family. It’s cooking for the family. It’s a celebration.”

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We like to celebrate Easter with some of the same traditional recipes every year. The kids love our Easter must-haves, especially this year as it feels comforting, as if nothing had changed. Tonight we'll have lamb and good wine but lunch was all about as many eggs as possible. Baked eggs in cream with asparagus and piment d’Espelette are a family staple, and the Italian torta Pasqualina is one of the most beautiful and delicious dishes of Easter with a bright golden moon in the middle of every slice. Happy Easter everyone! #easter For the eggs in this photo, start with a few spoons of cream, a few drops of olive oil, break an egg and garnish with halved asparagus tips. Sprinkle with salt and piment d’Espelette, add a few more teaspoons of cream and bake for 5 minutes in a preheated oven 200C/ 400 F.

A post shared by Mimi Thorisson (@mimithor) on

From Tuscany and Umbria to Naples and more, let Thorisson guide you to the Italian kitchen. At least until you can go on that well-deserved vacation.

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]]> Learn to Cook a Real Italian Meal with Enrica Rocca https://thedancingcucumber.com/learn-to-cook-a-real-italian-meal-with-enrica-rocca/ Sun, 27 Sep 2020 05:18:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5212 When it comes to Italian food, it’s best you go to the source. Based in Venice, Enrica Rocca understands the ins and outs of Italian cuisine, and more specifically—Venetian cuisine. So much so, she opened two cookery schools dedicated to it—one in Venice and another in London. According to Rocca, a good meal begins and […]

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]]> When it comes to Italian food, it’s best you go to the source. Based in Venice, Enrica Rocca understands the ins and outs of Italian cuisine, and more specifically—Venetian cuisine. So much so, she opened two cookery schools dedicated to it—one in Venice and another in London.

According to Rocca, a good meal begins and ends with the ingredients you use. “It is all about the quality of the ingredients, which is why it is so important to eat local,” she explained in an interview with Suitcase Magazine. “Good ingredients are expensive in today’s world, so eating well represents a big sacrifice, but it’s well worth it for our health and happiness.”

With an emphasis on quality ingredients, Rocca acknowledges the difficulty of replicating a local cuisine elsewhere in the world. “I also know how difficult it is to replicate any cuisine outside of its original country,” she remarks. “A cuisine is built around the local ingredients, so exporting a culinary culture is really difficult.”

Her school in Venice—housed in the family palazzo—offers the chance to understand the city’s cuisine from the inside out—spending the day as a true Venetian and discovering the freshest local seafood at Rialto Market.

According to Rocca, dishes are usually comprised of just two or three ingredients, chosen well, cooked simply, and brought to the table with gusto.

If there’s one thing better than an Italian dish, it’s eating an Italian dish in Italy. When traveling is again permitted (and safe), we can’t wait to sign up to Rocca’s cooking courses.

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]]> Different Kinds Of Ham From Around The World https://thedancingcucumber.com/different-kinds-of-ham-from-around-the-world/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:57:46 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=1828 Ham is a classic cut of pork and is enjoyed around the world in so many different ways. What is so fascinating about traveling is seeing how people eat so differently at times but also so similar. If you are a ham lover and want to travel the world, you can’t miss out on these […]

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]]> Ham is a classic cut of pork and is enjoyed around the world in so many different ways. What is so fascinating about traveling is seeing how people eat so differently at times but also so similar. If you are a ham lover and want to travel the world, you can’t miss out on these types of ham.

Jamon Iberico

This type of ham hails from Spain, where they use a special kind of pig to create the ham that is more than 50% genetically an Iberian pig. This type of pig roams freely in Spain and feast on acorns, giving them more muscle and flavor than standard ham.

Prosciutto di Parma

This Italian ham is one of the better-known hams in the world and is super flavorful. Most of the hams are aged for 18 months and can be found with just about everything in Italy. From fruit to pizza to pasta, you can’t miss it.

Deli Ham

Although many people think the deli sliced ham is strictly an American dish, it is actually a really common breakfast item for people in Brazil! They eat it with cheese and bread but interestingly enough, never eat it for any other meal during the day.

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]]> Find The Best Pizza For Your In Rome! https://thedancingcucumber.com/find-the-best-pizza-for-your-in-rome/ Sun, 12 Aug 2018 07:58:53 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=789 Although most of the world is used to the style of pizza that originated in Naples, in Rome, most of the pizza you will find is more in the style of Sicilian pizza. This type of pizza is square and does not only use buffalo mozzarella as classical Napolian pizzas do. Nonetheless, Roman pizza does not […]

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]]> Although most of the world is used to the style of pizza that originated in Naples, in Rome, most of the pizza you will find is more in the style of Sicilian pizza. This type of pizza is square and does not only use buffalo mozzarella as classical Napolian pizzas do. Nonetheless, Roman pizza does not fail to delight and surprise the taste buds. What’s even better is that pizza in Rome also offers many options for cheeseless pizza, so dairy-free people can still celebrate this wonderful dish! Whatever kind of diet you follow or flavors you generally seek out, Rome has a pizza that will perfectly fit you. 

Bianca

This is probably the weirdest looking pizza since it doesn’t look like a pizza at all! Pizza Bianca is a totally vegan pizza that is more like a flatbread. Usually, it is just topped with coarse sea salt and sometimes rosemary, it is so delicious and airy.

Rossa

This cheeseless pizza is just dough and sauce baked to perfection.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWIeEjzBUZ0/?tagged=rossapizza

Zucchine

This pizza is normally followed with ricotta, this zucchini pizza is an interesting vegetarian option.

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#zucchinepizza

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Speck

This pizza features speck, a cured meat that is similar to prosciutto.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdgDCD1HZBQ/?tagged=speckpizza

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]]> Best Gelato Places in Florence and How to Avoid the Bad Ones https://thedancingcucumber.com/best-gelato-places-in-florence-and-how-to-avoid-the-bad-ones/ Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:32:20 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=590 Gelato is the Italian frozen creamy delight that most people liken to ice cream. The difference between these treats is that gelato is churned more slowly and with less fat, so the flavors can be detected better and it is less airy and denser than ice cream. If you find yourself in Florence and are […]

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]]> Gelato is the Italian frozen creamy delight that most people liken to ice cream. The difference between these treats is that gelato is churned more slowly and with less fat, so the flavors can be detected better and it is less airy and denser than ice cream. If you find yourself in Florence and are looking for some phenomenal gelato, check out the list below. But beware, if you want to go rogue and find something else, make sure the gelato isn’t piled high and very colorful. It will not be as good and the flavors will be more artificial. 

Gelateria Dei Neri

This establishment has so many different flavors to choose from, including ricotta pistachio, mango cheesecake, and salted caramels. But whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong here.

Gelateria Santa Trinita

Right over the Santa Trinita bridge to the right of the Ponte Vecchio is this awesome place. The awning is pink and it has great chocolates, as well as fresh fruity flavors.

Gelateria La Carraia 

Two bridges down from the Ponte Vecchio is this green awning gelateria. What makes this place stand out is it’s very generous portions of delicious flavors, the perfect combination that nobody can resist!

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]]> ersion="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> Italy Archives - thedancingcucumber.com thedancingcucumber.com Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:55:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 5 Delicious Foods You Shouldn’t Miss For the World in Sicily https://thedancingcucumber.com/5-delicious-foods-you-shouldnt-miss-for-the-world-in-sicily/ Sat, 12 Oct 2024 08:58:27 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=10080 Many delicious foods that we all know and love originate from Italy, and Sicily is home to some of the very best. A visit to this beautiful Mediterranean island is incomplete if you don’t try some of the Sicilian traditional foods, and here are five that everyone’s raving about. Arancini You’ll see arancini at every […]

The post 5 Delicious Foods You Shouldn’t Miss For the World in Sicily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Many delicious foods that we all know and love originate from Italy, and Sicily is home to some of the very best. A visit to this beautiful Mediterranean island is incomplete if you don’t try some of the Sicilian traditional foods, and here are five that everyone’s raving about.

Arancini

You’ll see arancini at every turn during your visit to Sicily, and they’re worth a shot. The best thing about these deep-fried rice balls is the wide variety of different flavor combos to choose from.

Pasta Alla Norma

A visit to Italy is incomplete if you don’t eat some pasta, and pasta all norma is one of Sicily’s all-time classics. The list of its main ingredients includes fried eggplant, tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta salata cheese.

Caponata

Eggplant is a common ingredient in many of Sicily’s traditional dishes, including caponata. It’s made with mixed fried veggies and served in agrodolce sauce, while olive oil, tomato sauce, and celery are used as a seasoning.

Cannoli

Sicily is home to countless delicious desserts, but none gets more attention than cannoli. These tube-shaped fried pastries are usually filled with ricotta cheese, but you can try different traditional flavors in different regions.

Granita

Granita is another classic you shouldn’t miss for the world. This semi-frozen treat is made with sugar, water, and different flavorings, and it will help you beat the Sicilian heat.

The post 5 Delicious Foods You Shouldn’t Miss For the World in Sicily appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home https://thedancingcucumber.com/how-you-can-make-an-authentic-sicilian-pizza-at-home/ Fri, 17 Nov 2023 08:29:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=9149 While you may think that you need to travel to Italy to indulge in an authentic pizza, with the right ingredients, you can create the perfect Sicilian-style pizza in your own kitchen. Here’s how you can craft a delicious and authentic Sicilian pizza at home. Bake the Base Whether you pre-purchase the pizza base or […]

The post How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> While you may think that you need to travel to Italy to indulge in an authentic pizza, with the right ingredients, you can create the perfect Sicilian-style pizza in your own kitchen. Here’s how you can craft a delicious and authentic Sicilian pizza at home.

Bake the Base

Whether you pre-purchase the pizza base or make your own, you’ll need to ensure that it is well-coated in oil and baked in the oven until it becomes puffy and rises. Make sure to keep checking on your base and ensure that it remains flat and that it doesn’t become too oily. Blot out any areas where there is too much moisture.

Prep the Toppings

Once your base is ready, set it aside to cool for around 20 to 30 minutes. Then, cut some squash into spirals and grate your mozzarella cheese. Cut up some slices of salami and pour one and a quarter cups of pizza sauce into a jug or container so you can pour it later.

Time to Put it All Together

Take a spoon and spread the sauce evenly across the pizza base. Once you have the amount of sauce you want, sprinkle the cheese evenly before adding your slices of squash and salami. Finally, bake the pizza until the bottom is golden brown and enjoy.

The post How You Can Make an Authentic Sicilian Pizza at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Dishes To Bring The Taste Of Italy To Your Home https://thedancingcucumber.com/dishes-to-bring-the-taste-of-italy-to-your-home/ Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:47:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=8585 If there’s one thing that Italy is world famous for, it’s the food. From pizzas to pasta, veal, and even gelato, Italy has a diverse range of dishes for any occasion. Here are some exquisite Italian meals that you can cook to impress your friends and family and bring the taste of Italy to your […]

The post Dishes To Bring The Taste Of Italy To Your Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> If there’s one thing that Italy is world famous for, it’s the food. From pizzas to pasta, veal, and even gelato, Italy has a diverse range of dishes for any occasion. Here are some exquisite Italian meals that you can cook to impress your friends and family and bring the taste of Italy to your home.

Four Cheese Ravioli

Get your hands on some ricotta, cream cheese, mozzarella, and provolone cheese, and pack them inside each piece of ravioli. Whip up a garlic, pesto, and cream sauce, and watch as your dinner guests marvel as they bite into their ravioli and discover a cheese explosion.

Ravioli Lasagna

Here, you’ll combine two Italian classics to make a unique-tasting blend. All you need for this dish is frozen ravioli, your pasta sauce of choice, and grated mozzarella. Place the ravioli at the base of the tray and layer the cheese and pasta sauce on top.

Neopolitan Pizza

While New York-style pizza has become mainstream, Neopolitan pizza is the traditional style pioneered in the Italian city of Naples. Start by needing the pizza dough, making sure that the edges are puffy. Add some Napolitana or Pomodoro sauce or any other tomato-based sauce that takes your fancy and spread it finely across the base, avoiding the puffy edges of the dough. Add mozzarella or buffalo cheese, or even a combination, and cut the pieces into large circles as opposed to grating them.

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]]> There’s a Pizza Vending Machine in Rome https://thedancingcucumber.com/theres-a-pizza-vending-machine-in-rome/ Fri, 17 Sep 2021 13:11:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=7537 Italy is famous for pizza, but one entrepreneur noticed a hole in this otherwise very saturated market. Former pizza maker (or pizzaiolo) Massimo Bucolo noticed that there are plenty of places to get pizza in Rome, but virtually none of them work at night. “There was a hole in the market. Although Rome is an […]

The post There’s a Pizza Vending Machine in Rome appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Italy is famous for pizza, but one entrepreneur noticed a hole in this otherwise very saturated market. Former pizza maker (or pizzaiolo) Massimo Bucolo noticed that there are plenty of places to get pizza in Rome, but virtually none of them work at night. “There was a hole in the market. Although Rome is an important city, there was nothing [foodwise] available through the night,” he told CNN Travel. “We never wanted to compete with a classic pizzeria.”

That’s how he came up with Mr. Go, the first pizza vending machine. Technically, what Mr. Go makes isn’t traditional pizza, as it uses piadina flatbread instead of dough. Bucolo admits that making real pizza in the vending machine would be impossible because that process requires a skilled chef and a wood-fired oven.

The first Mr. Go sits in a residential part of Rome, the capital of Italy, called Piazza Bologna. Bucolo is testing the market by putting the machine nearby a student area and a hospital, as he believes people there need nighttime food options. You can choose among four types of pizza, including a classical Margherita, Quattro formaggi with four types of cheese, spicy salami, and pancetta (basically premium bacon).

The post There’s a Pizza Vending Machine in Rome appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Discover Italian Cooking with Mimi Thorisson https://thedancingcucumber.com/discover-italian-cooking-with-mimi-thorisson/ Thu, 15 Oct 2020 11:24:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5697 Let’s face it, it might be some time before we can travel internationally and fully enjoy what this world has to offer. But nothing stops us from recreating a miniature traveling experience through our kitchens. This week, we take to Italy—courtesy of French cook and writer Mimi Thorisson. Her recent cookbook, Old World Italian: Recipes and […]

The post Discover Italian Cooking with Mimi Thorisson appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

]]> Let’s face it, it might be some time before we can travel internationally and fully enjoy what this world has to offer. But nothing stops us from recreating a miniature traveling experience through our kitchens. This week, we take to Italy—courtesy of French cook and writer Mimi Thorisson.

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This polenta, olive oil and sage cake has become my family’s favorite treat. I am delighted to team up with @furtunaskin, we will be cooking together and sharing this recipe step by step today at 11am EST / 5pm CET time. One of their star ingredients is olive oil, which is also the star in the recipe, making everything extra delicious, rich and flavorful. It has truly been a joy to discover their organic Sicilian @bonafurtunafarm from Corleone, celebrating all good things like biodiversity and sustainable farming. I have a special love for Sicily, a land so untouched and full of history. @furtunaskin will also be hosting a giveaway with their made-in-italy #FurtunaSkin products & my new cookbook, Old World Italian. I hope you will enjoy this cooking session, so tune in! For the recipe, you will need: A round cake pan 8 or 9-inch/ 20/22 cm Preheat oven 400F/200C 110g plain flour 170g polenta 240ml milk 180ml Bona Furtuna Extra Virgin Olive Oil 70g breadcrumbs 1 tbsp of baking powder 1 tbsp of sugar 3 tablespoons of fresh chopped sage, plus 5 leaves to decorate 4 shallots, finely chopped A pinch of salt and black pepper 120g grated Parmigiano 2 eggs, beaten Olive oil for frying #instalive #cooking #bonafurtunafarm #giveaway #furtunapartner

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Her recent cookbook, Old World Italian: Recipes and Secrets from Our Travels in Italy, provides the perfect introduction to Italian cooking. Providing 100 recipes for authentic, classic dishes that are mostly easy to prepare, the book is also enriched by Thorisson’s conversations with devoted local food experts. More importantly—it’s a beautifully curated book, making it a pleasure to flip through.

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A quick stop between swimming in two seas. A few beautiful days spent in the Baroque gem that is Modica. Swapping all the flavors of the seas for rustic Sicilian country cooking. Deep rich tomato and meat sauces, raviolis stuffed with the finest ricotta, unique desserts made with the powerful Modican chocolate, made in the most ancient ways inspired by the Aztecs. I loved the pastries at @bonajuto (pictured in the photo). The perfect miniature cassata cake, the Aranciata, a typical local treat. It’s a sort of nougat prepared with Sicilian orange peel cooked in honey, the grand ‘chou’ filled with a pistachio and ricotta cream. Modica reminds me of an antique snow globe, but instead of seeing snowflakes, you see a beautiful Baroque town covered with scintillas of beautiful flowers, cocoa beans, almonds and pistachios. I am continuing to pursue my wonderlust for Sicily in the most flavorful ways. #modica #sicily @palazzo.ilcavaliere

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According to Thorisson, the French and Italian kitchens differ greatly. “I think that is a very big difference because France is all about sauce, and just building up a beautiful sauce and reduction with your meats and whatever you were braising,” she told La Cucina Italiana.

“In Italy, first and foremost, the ceremonial making of pastas is already very unique compared to France. Just the whole art of making pasta for me was very important and very different for me. But you know, French people they fetishize food, but in Italy—it’s all about family. It’s cooking for the family. It’s a celebration.”

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We like to celebrate Easter with some of the same traditional recipes every year. The kids love our Easter must-haves, especially this year as it feels comforting, as if nothing had changed. Tonight we'll have lamb and good wine but lunch was all about as many eggs as possible. Baked eggs in cream with asparagus and piment d’Espelette are a family staple, and the Italian torta Pasqualina is one of the most beautiful and delicious dishes of Easter with a bright golden moon in the middle of every slice. Happy Easter everyone! #easter For the eggs in this photo, start with a few spoons of cream, a few drops of olive oil, break an egg and garnish with halved asparagus tips. Sprinkle with salt and piment d’Espelette, add a few more teaspoons of cream and bake for 5 minutes in a preheated oven 200C/ 400 F.

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From Tuscany and Umbria to Naples and more, let Thorisson guide you to the Italian kitchen. At least until you can go on that well-deserved vacation.

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]]> Learn to Cook a Real Italian Meal with Enrica Rocca https://thedancingcucumber.com/learn-to-cook-a-real-italian-meal-with-enrica-rocca/ Sun, 27 Sep 2020 05:18:00 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=5212 When it comes to Italian food, it’s best you go to the source. Based in Venice, Enrica Rocca understands the ins and outs of Italian cuisine, and more specifically—Venetian cuisine. So much so, she opened two cookery schools dedicated to it—one in Venice and another in London. According to Rocca, a good meal begins and […]

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]]> When it comes to Italian food, it’s best you go to the source. Based in Venice, Enrica Rocca understands the ins and outs of Italian cuisine, and more specifically—Venetian cuisine. So much so, she opened two cookery schools dedicated to it—one in Venice and another in London.

According to Rocca, a good meal begins and ends with the ingredients you use. “It is all about the quality of the ingredients, which is why it is so important to eat local,” she explained in an interview with Suitcase Magazine. “Good ingredients are expensive in today’s world, so eating well represents a big sacrifice, but it’s well worth it for our health and happiness.”

With an emphasis on quality ingredients, Rocca acknowledges the difficulty of replicating a local cuisine elsewhere in the world. “I also know how difficult it is to replicate any cuisine outside of its original country,” she remarks. “A cuisine is built around the local ingredients, so exporting a culinary culture is really difficult.”

Her school in Venice—housed in the family palazzo—offers the chance to understand the city’s cuisine from the inside out—spending the day as a true Venetian and discovering the freshest local seafood at Rialto Market.

According to Rocca, dishes are usually comprised of just two or three ingredients, chosen well, cooked simply, and brought to the table with gusto.

If there’s one thing better than an Italian dish, it’s eating an Italian dish in Italy. When traveling is again permitted (and safe), we can’t wait to sign up to Rocca’s cooking courses.

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]]> Different Kinds Of Ham From Around The World https://thedancingcucumber.com/different-kinds-of-ham-from-around-the-world/ Mon, 10 Dec 2018 16:57:46 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=1828 Ham is a classic cut of pork and is enjoyed around the world in so many different ways. What is so fascinating about traveling is seeing how people eat so differently at times but also so similar. If you are a ham lover and want to travel the world, you can’t miss out on these […]

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]]> Ham is a classic cut of pork and is enjoyed around the world in so many different ways. What is so fascinating about traveling is seeing how people eat so differently at times but also so similar. If you are a ham lover and want to travel the world, you can’t miss out on these types of ham.

Jamon Iberico

This type of ham hails from Spain, where they use a special kind of pig to create the ham that is more than 50% genetically an Iberian pig. This type of pig roams freely in Spain and feast on acorns, giving them more muscle and flavor than standard ham.

Prosciutto di Parma

This Italian ham is one of the better-known hams in the world and is super flavorful. Most of the hams are aged for 18 months and can be found with just about everything in Italy. From fruit to pizza to pasta, you can’t miss it.

Deli Ham

Although many people think the deli sliced ham is strictly an American dish, it is actually a really common breakfast item for people in Brazil! They eat it with cheese and bread but interestingly enough, never eat it for any other meal during the day.

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]]> Find The Best Pizza For Your In Rome! https://thedancingcucumber.com/find-the-best-pizza-for-your-in-rome/ Sun, 12 Aug 2018 07:58:53 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=789 Although most of the world is used to the style of pizza that originated in Naples, in Rome, most of the pizza you will find is more in the style of Sicilian pizza. This type of pizza is square and does not only use buffalo mozzarella as classical Napolian pizzas do. Nonetheless, Roman pizza does not […]

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]]> Although most of the world is used to the style of pizza that originated in Naples, in Rome, most of the pizza you will find is more in the style of Sicilian pizza. This type of pizza is square and does not only use buffalo mozzarella as classical Napolian pizzas do. Nonetheless, Roman pizza does not fail to delight and surprise the taste buds. What’s even better is that pizza in Rome also offers many options for cheeseless pizza, so dairy-free people can still celebrate this wonderful dish! Whatever kind of diet you follow or flavors you generally seek out, Rome has a pizza that will perfectly fit you. 

Bianca

This is probably the weirdest looking pizza since it doesn’t look like a pizza at all! Pizza Bianca is a totally vegan pizza that is more like a flatbread. Usually, it is just topped with coarse sea salt and sometimes rosemary, it is so delicious and airy.

Rossa

This cheeseless pizza is just dough and sauce baked to perfection.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWIeEjzBUZ0/?tagged=rossapizza

Zucchine

This pizza is normally followed with ricotta, this zucchini pizza is an interesting vegetarian option.

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#zucchinepizza

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Speck

This pizza features speck, a cured meat that is similar to prosciutto.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BdgDCD1HZBQ/?tagged=speckpizza

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]]> Best Gelato Places in Florence and How to Avoid the Bad Ones https://thedancingcucumber.com/best-gelato-places-in-florence-and-how-to-avoid-the-bad-ones/ Mon, 09 Jul 2018 10:32:20 +0000 https://thedancingcucumber.com/?p=590 Gelato is the Italian frozen creamy delight that most people liken to ice cream. The difference between these treats is that gelato is churned more slowly and with less fat, so the flavors can be detected better and it is less airy and denser than ice cream. If you find yourself in Florence and are […]

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]]> Gelato is the Italian frozen creamy delight that most people liken to ice cream. The difference between these treats is that gelato is churned more slowly and with less fat, so the flavors can be detected better and it is less airy and denser than ice cream. If you find yourself in Florence and are looking for some phenomenal gelato, check out the list below. But beware, if you want to go rogue and find something else, make sure the gelato isn’t piled high and very colorful. It will not be as good and the flavors will be more artificial. 

Gelateria Dei Neri

This establishment has so many different flavors to choose from, including ricotta pistachio, mango cheesecake, and salted caramels. But whatever you choose, you can’t go wrong here.

Gelateria Santa Trinita

Right over the Santa Trinita bridge to the right of the Ponte Vecchio is this awesome place. The awning is pink and it has great chocolates, as well as fresh fruity flavors.

Gelateria La Carraia 

Two bridges down from the Ponte Vecchio is this green awning gelateria. What makes this place stand out is it’s very generous portions of delicious flavors, the perfect combination that nobody can resist!

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