In pursuit of Italian flavors

2023. 08. 17.

Italian spices

The origins of many Italian dishes and Italian spices go back to the ancient Roman Empire. At the same time, Italian cuisine, the gastronomy so typical of Italy, is still believed to have acquired the form it is still known for around the 18th century. It would be hard to deny that the spread of potatoes, corn and, above all, tomatoes greatly boosted the cooking culture of the people living on the Apennine Peninsula.

Italian cuisine is extremely diverse, and it should also be added that it shows significant differences depending on which region of the country you visit.

However, most Italians have in common that they love most of the spices below, rightfully associated with Italian cuisine:

• basil
• oregano
• thyme
• parsley
• rosemary
• sage
• saffron
• white and black pepper
• garlic
• fennel.

(Most herbs can even be grown at home: with the help of a smart garden!)

In addition to the above spices, Italian cuisine is also characterized by simplicity. Most well-known dishes are made from a few ingredients, and the key is more the quality of the ingredients and the masterful preparation.

Italian chicken

You can use any part of the chicken, according to your taste. Whether you like the wings or the thighs, you won't be disappointed, and of course you can also use the breasts!

I'm sure you won't be surprised if I say: you'll make the characteristic taste of chicken thoroughly crazy with tomatoes.

Ingredients

For 4-5 people, you should have the following ingredients available in the following amounts:

• about 1 kg of chicken meat (as I already mentioned, any part of the chicken),
• about 1 liter of tomato sauce (maybe a little less, it depends on how tomato-like you want it to be),
• 25-30 dkg olives (preferably black and pitted),
• 2 red onion,
• 3-4 cloves of garlic,
• 1 pinch of ground basil,
• 1 pinch of ground rosemary,
• 1 pinch of ground thyme,
• a little olive oil,
  
  salt and pepper to taste.

Making Italian Chicken

1. Making the Italian chicken breast begins with salting the meat. Then fry it in a pot with a little olive oil so that both sides get a little color.
2. Then add the thinly sliced ​​red onion, and crushed garlic, and olives - and season everything with pepper, thyme, rosemary, basil, and salt if you like. Finally, mix this all up well!
3. After 7-9 minutes, pour the tomato sauce over it and turn everything again. Then put the chicken in the oven preheated to 180 degrees for about half an hour. It comes in handy for this if you baked the meat in a fireproof dish, because then you can also put the dish in the oven. If you don't have one, transfer the meat to a baking tray and put it in the oven.
4. Serve the roasted meat with cooked pasta or crusty bread, and there is no question that everyone who likes Mediterranean flavors will love it.

Italian tomato soup

And if you want the appetizer to be authentically Italian, you should also prepare an Italian tomato soup!

Ingredients

If you are cooking for 4-5 people, you need the ingredients in the quantities below:

• 7-8 peeled tomatoes (can also be canned)
• one and a half liters of stock
• 6-7 cloves of garlic
• 1 red onion
• 2 handfuls of basil leaves
• 1 pinch of ground oregano,
• 1 pinch of ground sage,
• 1 pinch of ground thyme,
• a little olive oil,
• and salt and pepper to taste.

Mini mozzarella balls can also be used for serving.

Making italian tomato soup

1. Chop the red onion, then fry it in olive oil. Slice 4-5 cloves of garlic, and add to the red onion.
2. Then you can add the tomatoes, mix everything well and add the stock. Spice it up with oregano, sage, thyme, and salt and pepper if you like! Cook on low heat!
3. After about 20 minutes, add the basil leaves and the remaining garlic, then puree the soup using a blender!
4. Mozzarella balls can also be served! Tomato lovers will love this Italian appetizer!

If you liked the post, don't hesitate: make some Italian delicacies this week! Here you will find all the tools you need!