15 Food Reasons Italians Are Better At Life

When some people think of Italian, they can't help but think of food, as this is something we certainly excel in. There are many culinary wonders that the Italians can take credit for, and this article outlines all of them. As you will soon find out, there is more to be grateful for than just lasagna. 

As much as we love our spaghetti & meatballs and fettucini Alfredo, we would gladly give them up for an authentic meal in Italy any day. This hot-blooded country serves up plate after plate of simple, well-rounded pasta dishes. They are masterswith the eggplant. And they have blessed us all with the greatest way to use lady fingers: tiramisu. But it's not just the actual food that makes Italy a food-lover's paradise. It's the way they think about their food that sets them apart from the rest.

In Italy, the coffee is hot and to the point, the mozzarella is fresh and the people eat with gusto. Clearly, Italians are just better at life than the rest of us. And that's just the short list. Read on for the 15 reasons that the rest of us should take notes on how to live from the Italians -- or why we should all just up and move to Italy.

• 1
  They Put Ice Cream IN Their Coffee
  Flickr: Breville USA
  It's like adding cream and sugar, but a lot more fun. This beautiful coffee drink is called an affogato.
• 2
  Making Fresh Pasta Isn't Reserved For Special Occasions
  The Simple Things via Getty Images
  It's a way of life.
• 3
  They Created Burrata
  Flickr: fred_v
  It's like buffalo mozzarella, only SO MUCH BETTER because it has the wonderful addition of cream.
• 4
  Olive Oil Runs Through Their Veins
  Flickr: Smabs Sputzer
  The average Italian consumes about 14 liters of olive oil a year.
• 5
  They Don't Mess Around With Freeze-Dried Parmesean
  Flickr: ejgrubbs
  They use the real deal, and they make it in these enormous wheels.
• 6
  They Put Their Leftover Risotto To Good Use
  Flickr: stu_spivack
  They shape it into a ball, stuff it with ragu, bread it and throw it in the deep fryer. It's called arancini and it's almost better than risotto. We commend them for their resourcefulness and respect their ability to fry just about anything.
• 7
  Spending 3-4 Hours To Make A Ragu Is A Totally Respectable Way To Spend Your Time
  Flickr: stuandgravy
  They have their priorities straight.

To read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/10/italian-food-better-life_n_4747260.html

The Perfect Finale to an Italian Christmas Feast

Christmas, or “Natale,” is when the warm heart of Italy opens to its fullest. Cities sparkle with an unparalleled elegance, and the exuberant, generous Italian spirit is apparent everywhere. Christmas is by far the most important holiday of the year in Italy; the festivities last from December 24th through January 6^th. Family gatherings are the most important part of “Natale.” This is the time of year when families reunite from whatever corners of the world they may have scattered, and it is around the table, or “a tavola,” that Italian families come together.

After a long dinner shared with loved ones, rich desserts, spiced breads and traditional pastries are the perfect conclusion to an Italian holiday meal.  At many Christmas “tavolas” you will find apple strudels, chocolate cakes, and amaretti puddings. A favorite holiday dessert is also “crostoli,” or ribbon-shaped fried dough cookies.

At your Holiday “tavola” this year, impress your guests with a simple but classic Italian dessert like Almond Pine Nut Cookies.  You can make the elegant cookies yourself, and compliment them with a selection of purchased Italian pastries.  The perfect conclusion to a perfect meal!

For traditional Italian Almond Pine Nut Cookies, you will need:

2  7-ounce tubes of almond paste


1 cup sugar


2 large egg whites


Finely grated zest of one orange


1½ cups whole pine nuts

Baking sheet covered in parchment paper;

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. 

Crumble almond paste into the work bowl of a food processor and process until the paste is in fine crumbs. Sprinkle in the sugar with the motor running. Once the sugar is incorporated, add the egg whites and orange zest. Process to make a smooth dough, about 20 to 30 seconds.

Spread the pine nuts on a plate. Form the dough into 2-tablespoon-sized balls by rolling in in between the palms of your hands, then roll the dough in the pine nuts until coated, then place on baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden and springy to the touch, about 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool on baking sheets for about 5 minutes, then transfer the cookies to cooling racks to cool completely.

Enjoy and Buon Natale!