Blog Post #6: The Essential Ingredients

Italian cuisine is all about simple, natural ingredients. It follows the Mediterranean pattern of eating. It doesn't have complicated cooking techniques. It mainly focuses on the quality and freshness of the components of its dishes.

I was looking for the main ingredients that Italians use for their food when I came across this article entitled " 9 Essential Ingredients of Italian Cuisine " featured in the Eating Well website.

According to the article, Italian cuisine contains the healthiest diets because it uses lots of vegetable in its dishes such as tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, dark leafy greens and whole grains. To make authentic Italian meals, the following ingredients are essential. First on the list is olive oil. It is the go-to cooking oil. By using it, you cut back on saturated fats and help lower cholesterol. Extra-virgin olive oil is high in antioxidants so it can help you have a healthy heart. Italians use it to dress their salads with some salt and a squeeze of lemon. Second on the list are whole grains. These are wheat pasta, whole grain bread, and etc. They are the base of most of the Mediterranean diets. They contain fiber, magnesium, vitamin E and other antioxidants that will benefit your diet. Last but no the least, there is red wine. Typical Italian dinner is not complete without a glass of red wine. It is usually enjoyed during meals but it is important to drink it moderately. It can help regulate blood sugar and digestion.

Whenever my mom cooks, she always uses authentic Italian ingredients, even when we are in the Philippines. They are a bit expensive but it is worth it. My stepdad also drink red wine during dinners because it helps his heart stay healthy. His doctor suggested it. Therefore, the ingredients listed above are really essential for every Italian.

" Research suggests that the benefits of a Mediterranean-style eating pattern may include improved weight loss, better control of blood-glucose (sugar) levels and reduced risk of depression. That is why Italian cuisine is one the healthiest in the world. ", said in the Eating Well website.

Another article entitled " 10 Favorite Ingredients for Italian Cooking " enlisted some favorite ingredients for Italian cooking that are definitely hard to find in the Philippines but are still essential to achieve the perfect flavor.

Fresh basil is the first on the list. It is one of the herbs that give many pasta dishes their best flavor. Then, there is Parmesan and Grana Padano. Both are Italian cheeses and they are all dry and crumbly. The can add a new dimension to the pasta dishes. Another favorite is pancetta and prosciutto. They are the Italian version of bacon. They can be put on pasta dishes for extra flavor or served as it is with fresh bread. Some even wrap it around a slice of melon, making it the perfect summer lunch.

The ingredients listed on this second article are sold only in selected supermarkets here in the Philippines. They are very expensive but they add quality to Italian dishes. My stepdad is a huge Parmesan lover and he grates it to put it on top of pasta dishes. It is very hard to copy real Italian food but with these essential components it can definitely get easier.

" To cook Italian flavors and ingredients, you have to stock in your pantry these favorite ingredients. Some are no-brainers like pasta, while some are more exotic and hard to find. ", said in The Kitchen website.

In conclusion, by incorporating these healthy staples of Italian cooking into your daily meals, you do not only add flavor but also health benefits. Italians are all about eating good but also eating well.