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Italian Meats: Braising & Sauces

Italian Meat Preparations: Braising & Sauces   Apologies beforehand to all of our vegetarian patrons out there! For all of our omnivores and meat-lovers, tune in – today we’re exploring the arts of braising and sauces for meat in Italian cuisine. Throughout history, much of culinary innovation has come about because lower classes have figured out inventive ways to prepare …

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Spark Romance on Valentine’s Day with These Italian Foods!

Chocolate. Oysters. Honey. We’ve all heard about foods that have historically been considered aphrodisiacs. The word aphrodisiac comes from the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Foods with aphrodisiac qualities were believed to enhance appeal, provoke desire, and evoke love. In cuisines of the ancient worlds, aphrodisiac foods stimulate our senses – and on a more scientific level, play ...
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The Sauces of Italian Cuisine

Who was it that said “hunger is the best sauce”? It has been attributed to Socrates or Cicero or Miguel de Cervantes – whoever it was, they had the right idea! This is especially the case in Italian cuisine, where it’s easy enough to cook up a pasta – but it’s the sauce that makes all of the difference. “In …

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3 Classic Italian Dishes to Keep You Warm This Winter

Italy’s geography and position in Europe means that it experiences a variety of climate systems. Generally speaking, Italy’s location means that it experiences a typical Mediterranean climate: dry summers, and mild, moist winters. The northern regions of Italy are relatively cool compared to the rest of the country, while the southern part of the peninsula tend to fit more of ...
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Healthy Italian Foods to Incorporate in the New Year

Recently, we found a new study that revealed “when eaten as part of a healthy Mediterranean diet, pasta is your weight-loss friend.” As we approach the new year, it’s the time to make resolutions. In 2015, Nielsen revealed that the top new year’s resolutions in the US were to “Stay fit and healthy” (37%) and “Lose weight” (32%). The third ...
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This Holiday Season, Celebrate Italian Style

Last year, we explored the many different winter holiday celebrations traditional to Italy. December is a month full of feasts, rooted in religious tradition. Christmas celebrations in Italy usually begin over a week before the actual day of Christmas (December 25). It will last until the Feast of Epiphany, which usually takes place in early January, after the new year. ...
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Happy Thanksgiving from Cucina Toscana

Cucina Toscana -La Festa del Ringraziamento: Italian "Thanksgiving" Thanksgiving is a decidedly American holiday, rooted in our history. In this country of immigrants, Italians in America celebrate Thanksgiving, calling it La Festa del Ringraziamento (Festival of Thanks). For the hundreds of thousands of Italians to have immigrated to the US over the years, Thanksgiving is a time to gather and ...
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3 Favorite Italian Comfort Foods

It’s officially autumn in Salt Lake City, with lovely sunny days and the vibrant colors of leaves. With autumn, as temperatures begin to cool, we begin to crave comfort foods. From Merriam-Webster, comfort food is “food that is satisfying because it is prepared in a simple or traditional way and reminds you of home, family, or friends.” Comfort food also ...
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New Study Reveals that Pasta is Good for You!

Yes – that’s right – your eyes do not deceive you. After years of being told to cut down on carbohydrates, such as breads and pastas, new studies have revealed that pasta, in fact, is not bad for you! While it is not recommended to load up on pasta – everything in moderation, as the saying goes – a group ...
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Italian Feast: All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day

We just had Halloween in the US – but did you know that Halloween is rooted in ancient traditions that extend beyond just the 31st of October? Around the world, during this time, there are festivals and celebrations commemorating the spirit world and those who have departed. In Italy, November 1 and 2, people celebrate All Saints’ Day and All ...