We are Enrico + Laura, a 100% made in Italy duo living a life and a business carrier devoted to Italian Food. Welcome to our cozy virtual kitchen!
Consider us your new go-to BFF +Kitchen Coach when it comes to cooking Italian. Here to serve you, piping hot, all the insiders’ secrets! If you are looking for resources on Authentic Italian Food, look no further. We will be your recipe for success.
Getting dinner ready here...we're having a second round of 'Risi e Bisi,' a Veneto traditional recipe about rice and spring peas (called as the name said, bisi, in Venetian dialect!).
It's a first-course Italians use to serve more liquid-ish than typical Italian risotto, in between a risotto (aka creamy texture) and a soup—a pure concentrate of fresh, spring-ish taste and energy.
And you, what's, are you up eating tonite friend?
It is easy to say pasta, but not all brands, qualities, (prices), processes are the same.
However, some things are basic, which apply to every cooking every time you cook pasta.
If you, too, like us, are a pasta lover, stay tuned, follow on ... we are working on such tasty resources to help you master, or perfecting, the art of cooking Pasta Italian way.
What are some of the other things you see people should stop doing when cooking Pasta, Italian style?
Comment below; let's open up an honest talk!
@ Italy
Do you ever finish a long day and you exhausted ask yourself “what did I even accomplish today?!”
(emoji) Double tap if you’ve ever felt that way!
If your brain has ever felt like it has too many tabs open, it’s likely because it does. 🤯
Batch working is our number one tip for overcoming the overwhelm and moving the needle forward both in business and in life.
While we do love to believe we can multitask, grouping like-minded task together allows us to see the bigger picture, stay focused in the flow and get things done faster and without errors.
Especially when it comes to weekly meals plan batch working (cooking all of them in once or at least planning the entire week’s dinners in a day left us free brain space, extremely helpful to tackle everyday challenges, while it helps us to keep a balanced and varied meals routine.
Post an “🎯” below if you would like to see our strategy to plan out easy, tasty weekly meals in more or less 20 minute flat!
Dying to know (and working on something cool for you!) 👇🏼
Please share your thoughts and questions in the comments or DM us. We'll have a special gift for you soon!
'cause pasta + sauce seems just an oh-so-easy formula, right? WELL, it's not!
Let's be honest. It happens more often than you'd think to face a Pasta that isn't so satisfying as it should, right?
From a plate of overcooked pasta, not whipped to perfection or without taste, the problems can be really many, even for those who can consider themselves an expert.
Cooking a silky, tasty, and satisfying pasta dish is not as simple as it sounds, is it ?!
We’re coming at your back, currently working on tasty news for y’all Pasta Addicted.
But we want to make sure to help you as much as possible.
So please let us know what's your major pain point when cooking pasta:
😰 Your Pasta sticks together or gets mushy?
😰 Not sure when the cooking is done or how much to salt pasta water?
😰 Wondering how to get a creamier sauce or balance perfectly pasta and sauce to have a tasty but healthy dinner ready in a short time?
😰 Anything else???
We can't wait to hear from you. We don't judge here 😎!
Ciao, L+E.
We believe the key to great Italian healthy and tasty meals, stress-free (yes, even when you'll come home super late from work!) lies all in a well-stocked pantry.
And we do not mean it needs to be packed with exotic and expensive ingredients, quite the opposite actually.
Our pantry contains the basics for healthy, easy-to-use
cooking by playing around with fresh herbs, vegetables, and a bit of creativity to create the magic.
We know that no two people in the world will agree on a list of must-have, go-to-ingredients to keep on hand most of the time, but this is the fundamental Italian Ingredients we (and you, we're sure!) can't live without.
📢 DM us if you want to receive the checklist to a well-stocked Italian Pantry. It's a good foundation, trust us!
❤ 🇮🇹 🇮🇹
For us, this translates for sure in pushing our limits in the kitchen, Italian food speaking (had you doubts?!).
One of the 2021 goals is to lead us to a satisfying recipe of cannoli dough to prepare something similar (because getting too close would be impossible) to the ones we have at our beloved pastry chef Corrado Assenza's place in Noto Sicily.
Crispy, fragrant, and luscious. If you have ever been at 'Caffè Sicilia' you know how addictive Corrado's cannoli are (and the whole pastry menu, to be honest!).
✨Even if we have already rung ruinous batch number 7 (hey, don't judge, we are perfectionists!)... come rain or shine, we'll be there. Or well...so damn close! AKA dream big guys. Always.✨
👇 And what about you, which is your number one goal to achieve (in the kitchen or not) this year.
@ Italy
Please tell me I'm not alone
It happens to you too to feel so extremely exhausted of everyday challenges to become super picky and madly crazy about little things that don't go as you want in life?
I know we are all fighting biggest challenges in our lives. Still, being a "seeking of a perfectionist" kinda girl this pandemic year is driving me mad, uncompromising, and stupidly mindful about such small nonsense things like scratching the steel stovetop, using a product that instead of removing the stain from the sofa it discolors it or removing glasses ruined by rinse aid from the dishwasher.
Sometimes I give up to stress, and tiredness and those small things became the "end of the world" to me and simply I'm not strong enough to focus instead on the whole picture: about how lucky I, we, are in our lives.
It's like I have no more tolerance or patience to handle small, non-essential - things...please, tell me sometimes it happens to you too. And that you have good tips to re-balance the vision to share...how do you let it go???????
It will be really appreciated. Thanks.
Differences makes different cultures beautiful right?
Swipe through to find out 5 of the weirdness - that you will encounter in Italy not being a local.
Comment below if you have a good story too about your last trip to Italy.
Follow along if you want to master the authentic Italian Food (and Culture). We've got your back!
🇮🇹 ❤️ @ Italy
Ciao, that's me: Enrico here!
Probably we didn't meet yet officially. Laura is for sure more the voice of while I'm more the behind the scene - recipes developer - guy.
Cooking is really my kind of thing. Seriously I can not remember any day of my life spent without cooking. I mean, really any day!
And I’m talking about Italian food, of course. So please don’t rely on me for exotic or ethnic food. (40+ years old, I'm still struggling to get the perfect tempura!)
My childhood's first memory was of me, a blond child around 6, cooking a strudel for his parents. And from there, cooking for my family, friends, enrolling in the Slow Food University (master in Italian Food if you had doubts!), then embracing a corporate career next to three Michelin starred chef-genius and now running my deli-grocery-boutique restaurant
I jumped on here to say hi, ciao, and remember that I’m always available to help if you have any doubts or desires about Italian Food or recipes.
Just DM us or leave a comment below if you are curious about something particular or struggling with anything Italian Food related.
Like Laura, I'm here to support you grow into mastering authentic Italian cooking.
Hello Roma. It’s so nice see u again.
After 7 months of smartworking and no trips at all it’s so life breathing boarding on a plane and strolling around with your luggage.
Even if I’m here for work. Even if is still in and so all my faves restaurants and grocery shops are closed I feel blessed to have this chance to walk around in an complete uncrowded. It seems all the beauty is here for me (and u!).
Come with me in the stories and please let me know if u want to visit a special place.
🇮🇹
How to buy quality Italian EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL?
The truth is that it is difficult. Any label, any certification can assure you of the quality of the oil you're buying. Taste it before buy would be the best, but it's not so easy to find a vendor with a tasting corner, right?
And since it's a pretty expensive thing ... better - at least - know how to recognize from the label a good quality EVO (extra virgin oil).
Swipe to see what can help you distinguish an authentic Top Quality one and FYI: don't trust a cheap Extra Virgin Olive oil!
Save this for your next grocery Italian shopping!
@ Italy
Sunday gratitude session, READY? GO!
I'm thankful for a human to go on life’s roller coaster with, friends who stop to visit us, pistachios icecreams, legs that can carry me, the ability to work from anywhere, pizza, bubbles and a good night's rest (when it comes!).
What are you thankful for? Seriously! Tell me below. Let’s share in gratitude today! 👇🏼
Laura
WONDERING WHAT TO EAT (OR HAVE ALWAYS READY IN THE PANTRY) FOR AN AUTHENTIC APERITIVO – ITALIAN WAY?
If you want to go traditionally Italians, some staples are really unmissable for a true, authentic Aperitivo. And you have our favorite recipes of them in the download.
If you have ever experienced an Aperitivo in Italy, you may have noticed that throughout the country, in major or small cities, in small village bars or fancy places, in the mountains, or facing the sea, food offers are pretty different.
BUT… there are some staples really unmissable for a true, authentic Aperitivo. And you can find our favorite recipes of them, too!
TO CALL IT AUTHENTIC, AN APERITIVO IN ITALY MUST INCLUDE:
🥜 a SALTY SNACK, from toasted nuts to potato chips, is mandatory!
🍸 PRESERVED OLIVES that pairs perfectly with the drinks we are used to having
🍕 BAKED GOODS: like pizza, focaccia, bruschetta, crostini or taralli, grissini, tramezzini, and so on
These are the foundation. If you need a kick start to arrange your tray, Italian Style, use our recipes (link below)!
And now, tell me 👇 : which are the unmissable staples in your favorite Aperitivo?
https://italianfoodstories.com/celebrate-at-home-aperitivo-snack-and-drink-recipes/
Double tap if you think is better than any other bowl of pasta!!!
I mean, that tasty, velvety but sharp sauce made of Guanciale (fatty cheek's pig) eggs, pecorino cheese, and pepper…Am I right?
Or do you have different opinions? Please tell us which ONE, really the ONE and ONLY, is your favorite Pasta in the World?
Soon… on the blog the complete roadmap to a perfect
Don’t miss a bite, get on the list 😎
https://italianfoodstories.com/links/
One, the MAJOR, thing to have super clear in mind when it comes to arranging an authentic Italian Aperitivo.
If you want to go authentic, your Aperitivo needs to be served in SMALL BITES and SMALL QUANTITIES. It’s something we are used to having PRE-DINNER, and I know what you are thinking…that we Italian have too many crazy rules about food, and it’s totally true, but that’s our nature.
During an Aperitivo, we are just going to open up our appetite with some nibbles and wines or something slightly bitter to drink. So please remove all the all-you-can-eat style of buffet you might have seen or what is called Happy Hour (please read: a giant amount of food + small bucks = super low quality) if you want to serve you Aperitivo, in a pure Dolce Vita style.
Wants to go a bit more in deep? Check out the link below to get as well our favorite snack and drink recipes for an Italian Aperitivo – Home Edition.
https://italianfoodstories.com/celebrate-at-home-aperitivo-snack-and-drink-recipes/
Like mines, your days are full of problems to solve, busy to-do lists, and working too hard stress? I see you. At times you feel like you are doing nothing but sleep, run to work, housework, and again on repeat?
I get it. Because I’ve been there too…but I’m not anymore.
What if I told you there is one thing you can implement with ease in your draining routine to help keep your stress level down and lift your joy of life up?
I learned it my way. Dedicating myself even just 30 minutes a week saves me from a looooooot of stress. It recharges me, my mind, with a deep awareness: that I experienced something else rather than have just worked hard.
Being born and raised 100% Italian, Aperitivo is the biggest trick up my sleeve in my reduce-stress learning process. It’s a moment to remember the gratitude upon myself. To hit pause to every issue around me, and enjoy life and the people around me. At least to try it hard.
If you are curious about how to celebrate life Italian style, discover on the BLOG how to reduce stress while celebrating life enjoying a true, authentic Italian Aperitivo.
I hope u'll enjoy it ❤️ Laura
🍝 Spaghetti al Pomodoro (aka Spaghetti tomato sauce) seems just an oh-so-easy formula, right? WELL, it's not!
Let’s be honest. It happens more often than you'd think to face a Pasta that isn't so satisfying as it should, right?
Especially in the Pasta - which at least – appears the simplest, the most iconic, there are some small details essential for a memorable result. And that’s the case here.
Have you ever wondered which are the key points to master behind a stunning bowl of Pasta?
🍝 Follow our proven 5 steps method – 100% Italian Approved – to prepare (and cook) to the perfection this Italian masterpiece and get ready to be amazed by a WOW bowl of Spaghetti.
Get your hands on it at the link in BIO. It comes with our tasted-till-perfect recipe!
🍝
https://italianfoodstories.com/5-things-everyone-should-know-about-spaghetti-al-pomodoro
Today is our last chance, folks!
Today is Martedì Grasso, "Shrove Tuesday," the day that closes Carnival Celebrations. Our last chance to indulge in Carnival's decadent and fried desserts!!!
We're planning a binge-eating of FRITTELLE, Carnival fritters [our favorites are flavored with raising and peanuts], and CROSTOLI, thin sheets of fried dough sugared.
If you wanna learn a bit more about the tradition behind these most beloved Italian Desserts, have a look at our blog. You'll discover the art of Venetian Frittoleri and - together with our tasted-till-perfect recipes - you’ll just need then a Mask to be ready to pretend you are celebrating your Carnival in Venice.
C’mon, tell us! Comment below 👇🏼Which are your favorite @ Italy
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" applies to mixed citrus or oranges too?!?!?
Please tell me YES. Today I strongly need a bit of encouragement !!!
folks!
CUCINA ITALIANA.
It’s hard to define what “Italian cooking” really means.
It’s something that goes way more than pasta, pizza, and icecreams. It's an almost unlimited gastronomic heritage that varies from North to South, especially from family to family.
We wrote a post about it. It is almost impossible to define the only right way to do something, to cook a recipe.
It also covers why it is instead essential to focus on how you can feel confident and inspired playing around with the recipe, having the tools to understand that - keeping some main points firm - the beauty of Italian cuisine is that it is a FAMILY kitchen that evolves and is customized according to who cooks it.
If you want to have a deep look at what Italian Cooking is, check out the blog. Link is in bio.
But now please comment below, which is your favorite Italian recipe you’d like to know in deep and have all the confidence to master it like a PRO?
🇮🇹
If you have ever traveled around Italy, you know that for us, Italians, there is no better way to end a working day (or, well, pump up the beginning of our nights!) than with a good (or a round of) drink and some snacks.
If you, my friend, believe that the ritual of Aperitivo involves just fancy places, expensive drinks, or a club dress code, well … be ready to discover that there is no better place than your home to arrange a perfect cheerful moment, Italian Style.
To celebrate life as an Italian > Grab at the link below our easy to make, long-lasting, and inexpensive snack recipes + iconic drinks unmissable in a true, authentic Italian Aperitivo-home edition.
Enjoy them on the sofa in your yoga pants or dress-up for a private at-home party, but the key point here is: to enjoy!
https://italianfoodstories.com/celebrate-at-home-aperitivo-snack-and-drink-recipes/
Easy (and inexpensive) snack and drink recipes to celebrate Aperitivo at home. Learn the foundation of an Aperitivo 100% Italian style, home-edition.
Cartellate, Caragnoli, Ravioli, Frappe, Migliaccio, Cicerchiata, Frittelle are just a few of the many Carnival desserts we can find across Italy. But if we need to find a common denominator, Italian Carnival desserts are more or less all made with simple pantry ingredients AND, more of all… are fried!!!
Flour, eggs, milk, sugar, butter, sometimes with honey, apples, or nuts, are for sure enriched by deep-fried cooking to be called Carnival Desserts.
If you want to learn how to prepare at home a couple of Italian Carnival Desserts and get into the mood, check the blog post at the link in bio and get our recipes for Crostoli and Frittelle. You’ll just need then a Mask to be ready to pretend you are celebrating your Carnival in Venice.
2020 was a tough year for everyone, Am I right? Together with the gratitude of still being here, all together and healthy to our home, to us, it brought a breath of clarity. It made us understand the essential things in life, which we have often taken for granted in the frenzy of everyday life.
Here in Italy, the line of defense - adopted by the government - against has been, for the most part, to keep us locked up at home, and in fact, one of the things we have missed most is .
Not only long and important journeys but above all those short trips which, living in a wonderful land full of nature like are within 30 minutes' drive.
To fight the nostalgia of our outdoor adventures, I scroll the camera roll, letting my mind wander. Here, for y'all, our hike on (and ibex close encounter!), hoping they will bring you - as we do - a little carefree.
But what about u? What do you do to fight anxiety or difficult times? Tell us; we need new tricks!
Hooray, it’s Friday!
And you know here at we are huge fans of Friday-Night Aperitivo at Home, right?
We have no doubt when it comes to choosing our drinks for it. The mixer is ready, ice cubes are in the freezer, and our easy-to-make but the oh-so-good ratio between Campari + Vermouth + Gin is ready to shine.
🥃🍸🍾
But what about you, what you choose to celebrate at the beginning of the weekend? Comment below...we are super curios!
If you need some inspiration for iconic pre-dinner drinks, take a look at the recipes we’ve got for you.
🥃🍸🍾 at the link below, you’ll have: AMERICANO, the aperitivo cocktail par excellence NEGRONI, An Americano-kind of style with an oh-so-great extra kick SPRITZ, Low in alcohol, it calls for a definite second round! BELLINI, The most CHIC on the menu HUGO, A refreshing, modern long drink
Enjoy them. They are on us!
https://italianfoodstories.com/celebrate-at-home-aperitivo-snack-and-drink-recipes/
YOU ARE ENOUGH. I'M ENOUGH.
I see you. You just closed another 60+ hours work week, and if you are like me, feeling a bit frustrated wondering where the heck free time flew?!
If you are like me, a human being with a corporate job that is going to invest every free minute into your passion, a new solo-business…well, you might be frustrated and exhausted like me, thinking that another week is gone without u had a single moment to focus on your side hustle.
And this is a memo for you, and me as well: You are enough, I’m enough. We are doing our best to make our lives made of dreams come true.
Not everything should be perfect. Things don’t always turn out the way we planned it. Things can go wrong, and we need to keep going through challenging times, looking for the better ones.
This message is for us all: let’s take a win for today, for this week. Stop looking at the things we haven’t done. Let's cheers ourselves on the whole universe of things we accomplished these days.
Enjoy your weekend, guys!
PS: this beauty are Pomodorini del Piennolo, a variety of tomato grown exclusively on the volcanic slopes of Vesuvius. Harvested in summers and tied together in bunches to hung and use until the next summer. It’s a traditional way to have always around the fresh tomato flavor even in wintertime because you know that here at we’re for sure partial of seasonality. I’m going to use them for my grandma’s Focaccia Barese. Recipe coming soon here for you!
Oh My GOD, how much I need u: ☕coffe!!! ☕☕☕☕☕ And you, which coffee you’ll have? Liscio, macchiato, or cappuccino.
These are the most common type of coffee you’ll find in any Italian bar.
(then that - almost - every single region calls them differently or makes a variation of them is a whole another chapter!!!).
☕ Liscio, means a pure espresso. Black, no milk.
☕ Macchiato, is espresso + a splash of milk. Macchiato caldo if the milk is hot or macchiato freddo for cold milk.
☕Cappuccino, an espresso + frothed milk. Served in a bigger cup.
To remember. Any barista in Italy will serve you already sugared coffee!
My choice is always, “un espresso for me, liscio.”
And which Italian coffee do you prefer, tell me! Comment below. ☕
Hi, that's me, Laura. Ready to start a new year working year ... more or less! It's time for me to be back at work. You know, I'm creating with Enrico as our side hustle passion for helping Italian foodies out there who feel a bit lost in the jungle of inauthentic recipes and endless variations on Italian cuisine but it will take a little patience. We will arrive ... slowly, but will arrive! In the meantime, DM us if you are curious or are you struggling with something in particular about Italian food. We'll answer u asap in the next blog post!
Pradamano
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