Italian cooking
is much more than spaghetti and meatballs. For the novice cook, it may seem that Italian cooking is difficult, but, in reality, Italian cooking is one of the easiest ethnic cuisines to master. The heart of Italian cooking is simple ingredients turned into hearty foods that please almost every palate. With a bit of practice, even a beginner can turn into a wonderful Italian cook.
Start with Antipasto
Antipasto can be served on a platter and consists mainly of raw vegetables. It is served as the appetizer to the main meal and sometimes substitutes for the first course salad. Antipasto is simple to put together, especially if you purchase vegetables that are cut and ready to eat in packages from the store, such as sliced peppers and radish slices. On a large platter, arrange full lettuce leaves to cover the platter. Arrange, into rows on the lettuce, bite-sized vegetables, quartered boiled eggs, meats, sliced thin, such as salami, pepperoni, prosciutto ham, and drained black olives. If you're feeling adventurous, add 1 can of drained anchovies. Sprinkle the antipasto with a dressing made by combining 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of wine vinegar and 2 tablespoons of mixed Italian seasonings.
The Main Dish
Chicken Cacciatore is a simple meal that uses pasta, making it both filling and delicious. The easiest way to make this dish is by purchasing 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. In a large skillet, melt 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter and brown the chicken breasts on both sides over medium heat. This will take approximately 5 minutes per side. Remove the breasts to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm. In the same skillet, add 1/2 cup of chopped onion, 1/2 cup of chopped celery, 3 cloves of minced garlic and 1/4 cup of chopped green pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are tender. Add in 1/2 cup of sliced, fresh mushrooms, 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning mix and 1 large (26-ounce) can of diced tomatoes and juice. Add the chicken breasts back to the skillet, cover and simmer until heated through and the chicken is fully cooked. This will take approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Serve over freshly cooked and drained pasta.
Make a Dessert
Biscotti cookies are easy for the beginner to make and have a number of variations. In a large mixing bowl, combine 5 cups of flour, 5 tablespoons of baking powder and 3 cups of sugar. Cut into the mixture 3/4 pound of shortening and 3/4 pound of butter. Add 9 eggs, 1 ounce of pure vanilla and 2 cups of milk, and work the mixture into a stiff dough. Use your hands to break off walnut-size pieces of the dough, form into balls or ropes, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes in a 375 degree F oven. The biscotti is done when the cookies are a golden brown.
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