Basics for Your Italian Kitchen
Italian food can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. I happen to like simple. So here's the short course on stocking your kitchen. With the items listed in this article, you'll always be able to whip up something quickly when it comes time to eat.
When I used to cook all kinds of food, I would often set out to make something, only to find that I was missing some key ingredient. And they I'd either have to ditch my project or run to the store to get the missing item. This doesn't happen with Italian food as long as you keep some simple basics around. You can make wonderful things form whatever is in your kitchen. Shopping becomes a breeze as well.
In fact, you can shop in your head without using a list for most things. And your cupboard never needs to be bare!
So here is the secret to shopping like an Italian. All you've got to do is picture the Italian flag, which is red, white and green. Now you know why it's that color -- these are the colors of Italian food. Red is for tomatoes, red peppers and red wine. White is for pasta, garlic, mozarrella, and parmesan cheese (Parmigiano-Reggiano is best.) And green is for extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil.
If you just remember these few basics when you go shopping, you always have the makings of a tasty meal at your fingertips. Or, if you want to get a little more complicated, you can use this fun and silly memory device taught to me by an Italian friend.
Count the fingers on your right hand: dried pasta, olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, parmigiano-reggiano cheese.
Count on your left hand: basil, capers, tomato paste, anchovies, wine.
Right foot: cannellini beans, onions, red pepper flakes, packaged gnocchi, olives.
Left foot: fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, coffee, bread, sparkling mineral water.
Pretty easy, huh? It really couldn't be simpler.
Just remember that many things Italian start with sauteing a little garlic or onion (or both) in a little olive oil. This simple technique provides tremendous flavor. Add tomatoes (fresh or canned) to make a delicious sauce for pasta. This sauteing of garlic and onions can also be a delicious beginning for soups. Then just start experimenting. I have many delicious recipes for you to try in my companion book to Weight Loss, Italian Style! -- Weight Loss, Italian Style! Recipes to Drool Over.