The History of Italian Food

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Italian Food and Cuisine

Besides helping you appreciate the Italian food served at your favorite restaurant, this Italian Food and Cuisine Web Guide shows you how to prepare your own Italian cuisine and understand the customs behind it. Get lots of reviews for easy Italian recipes, along with some regional favorites. You’ll even find resources for Italian cooking classes and connect with fellow Italian food enthusiasts who host blogs and personal Web sites.

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The History of Italian Food

In addition to explaining the basic traditions and history of Italian food, these sites outline the regional variations in Italian cuisine. Discover the dining traditions, ingredients and flavors specific to each part of Italy.

Insights for the History of Italian Food

As you explore the different cuisine types in Italy, you may encounter words or dishes that you don’t recognize. Use a glossary of Italian food terms to clarify any questions.

"The Oxford Companion to Italian Food” offers further reading on Italian cuisine, including information on regional ingredients and cooking styles.

Top Sites for the History of Italian Food

Sally’s Place introduces Italian food culture. In addition to a basic review of the history of Italian food, the site outlines the cultural and geographical distinctions that characterize each region.

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Rustico Cooking presents the food traditions of the different regions in Italy, including ingredients, recipes and cooking techniques from each region. The site host is chef Micol Negrin, author of Rustico: Regional Italian Country Cooking.”

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Life in Italy is an Italian travel resource that covers Italian food culture, with articles detailing the traditions behind certain ingredients and recipes. “Italian Eating Rules” explains Italian table manners and dining customs.

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Italian Recipes

The following sites present Italian recipes with photos and video tutorials to walk you through the cooking process. You’ll find easy Italian recipes and more advanced options for the experienced Italian cook.

Insights for Italian Recipes

Keep a conversion chart on hand as you read Italian recipes. You’ll need it to convert the metric units often called for by international recipes into U.S. standard measurements.

If you’re interested in learning more about Italian wine, visit findingDulcinea’s Wine Web Guide to find lots of information on regional wines from all over the world, including Italy.

You’ll also find additional sources of Italian recipes, including Italian pastries, breads and baked goods from the findingDulcinea Web Guides to Cooking, Recipes and Baking.

Top Sites for Italian Recipes

Italian Cuisine can help you find Italian recipes suited to your specific needs. Search by region, ingredient or wine pairing, for example.

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Italyum has an extensive Italian recipe database that includes photos and step-by-step tutorials on preparing each dish. Go to "Top Tips” for handy advice and basic explanations of Italian cooking techniques.

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InCucina.tv provides Italian recipes accompanied by photos and, in some cases, video tutorials. Select the type of dish you’d like to prepare, and the site suggests a list of different recipes.

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Italian Cooking Classes

Looking to take Italian cooking classes? Below you’ll find some of the leading Italian cooking school Web sites, and organizations that offer cooking trips where you can take food and wine tours or cooking classes in Italy.

Insights for Italian Cooking Classes

If taking a wine or beer tour appeals to you, see findingDulcinea’s Web Guides to Wine and Beer. You’ll find vineyard and brewery information to keep in mind next time you plan a trip.

If you’re traveling to Italy to attend an Italian cooking class or participate in a food and wine tour, go to findingDulcinea’s Italy Travel Web Guide for additional travel resources.

Top Sites for Italian Cooking Classes

For Italian cooking schools …

The Italian Culinary Academy offers programs in New York City and Italy. Visit "Our Courses” to see what culinary programs are offered. Italian cooking classes are available for amateur and professional chefs.

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Apicius calls itself “the culinary institute of Florence.” The Italian cooking school offers a study abroad program as well as group or private cooking classes.

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For Italian cooking vacations …

Delicious Italy is a travel Web site for Italy with an extensive section called “Italy food and wine tours.” Find recommended Italian cooking schools, food trips and vineyards throughout Italy.

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The International Kitchen hosts cooking vacations to Italy. Several trips are currently available in each region; select a region that interests you for tour details.

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Italian Food Blogs

Italian food blogs offer an array of recipes, often accompanied by photos and user comments. In addition to recipes, these Italian food blogs come with a healthy dose of appreciation for Italian cuisine, and mouthwatering photos.

Insights for Italian Food Blogs

Blogs are often a great source of other blogs; look at the blogrolls of the blogs below to discover other valuable culinary resources.

If you try a recipe suggested by one of these Italian food blogs, don’t be shy about posting your response. Your feedback may benefit other users. Be sure to check user comments before trying a recipe and see if they offer useful advice.

Top Italian Food Blogs

Lucullian Delights—An Italian Experience is maintained by a Swedish cook and photographer who has lived in Italy for more than a decade. For a full list of recipes, visit "Lucullian recipes—the Index.”

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Cream Puffs in Venice has a beautiful archive of photographs, predominantly of Italian pastries. Use the "Categories” section to browse all the recipes and discussions on this Italian food blog.

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Finding La Dolce Vita offers detailed, step-by-step instructions for cooking quintessential Italian food. Sometimes the Italian food blog features photo tutorials of every step of the cooking process, as is the case with the "Homemade Manicotti” posting.

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