Busy schedules can pull families in different directions during the day, but making time to get together over dinner can help everyone stay in touch. Discovering cuisines from around the world can yield delicious meals, but it can also be time consuming. However, there are still ways to prepare quality, delicious, Italian-inspired dishes made with healthy ingredients without spending hours in front of a hot gas stove. With these tips you can prepare delicious Italian dishes.
Rely on fresh ingredients
Fresh vegetables are also perfect for savory sauces and lighter dishes. The flavors of a classic Italian tomato sauce are best created with fresh tomatoes. A sauce made from vine tomatoes provides additional health benefits for lycopene and pectin for natural thickening.
Pay attention to the pasta High quality pasta is the basis of many favorite Italian dishes. When cooked aldente, the pasta will stick to the sauce.
Experiment with cheeses Mozzarella and Parmesan are two of the more popular Italian cheeses, but there are plenty of other options for creating classic Italian flavors and textures. One choice to consider is traditional Italian ricotta cheese. Typically, artisanal made with just three simple ingredients (milk, vinegar, and salt), it has a creamy texture that's just right for savory meals as well as desserts. Lasagna is a popular dish with ricotta; a recipe such as lasagna with meat sauce consisting of layers of meat sauce and creamy ricotta cheese smothered between layers of pasta and then topped with mozzarella cheese may be a favorite.
Grow your own herbs
A healthy meal is even better when you grow your own herbs. Spices are a natural way for good flavors, and you can even incorporate different kinds of flavors into one dish. When it comes to Italian cooking, basil is one of the basics. Adding fresh basil to a sauce provides a traditional heightened flavor often found in many favorite Italian dishes.
Add a touch of liquor
If you want to take a meal to the next level, make an easy upgrade by adding vodka. The alcohol evaporates when heated, leaving a hint of pungent flavor that complements the other ingredients. A popular preparation is a mix of tomato sauce, cream, and vodka over pasta, often penne rigate.
