Italy
Italy is known for its exquisite culture, history and architecture. Food, however, is on a whole other level. Some of the most amazing dishes that we eat today were born in this magnificent country.
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots stretching to antiquity.
It is characterized by its simplicity, with many dishes having only four to eight ingredients. Italian cooks rely chiefly on the quality of the ingredients rather than on elaborate preparation. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated with variations throughout the country.
If you're on your way to Rome (here's a list of restaurants you need to try), or if you're visiting one of the UK's spectacular Italian restaurants, you have so much great choice to get yourself in that Italian mood. And don't forget about all the great desserts that Italy will leave you gobsmacked with. The famous Tiramisu (watch Gennaro make a lemon tiramisu), panna cotta, boccone dolce, Castagnole di carnevale and the chocolate amaretto pudding. You certainly have a lot of choice!
Italian cuisine has developed through centuries of social and political changes, with roots stretching to antiquity.
It is characterized by its simplicity, with many dishes having only four to eight ingredients. Italian cooks rely chiefly on the quality of the ingredients rather than on elaborate preparation. Ingredients and dishes vary by region. Many dishes that were once regional, however, have proliferated with variations throughout the country.
If you're on your way to Rome (here's a list of restaurants you need to try), or if you're visiting one of the UK's spectacular Italian restaurants, you have so much great choice to get yourself in that Italian mood. And don't forget about all the great desserts that Italy will leave you gobsmacked with. The famous Tiramisu (watch Gennaro make a lemon tiramisu), panna cotta, boccone dolce, Castagnole di carnevale and the chocolate amaretto pudding. You certainly have a lot of choice!
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Britain has quite a few chefs that specialize in Italian food. One obvious example would be Jamie Oliver. With his restaurant, Jamie's Italian branched across the country, you can't go wrong. You have to give his starters a taste, more specifically the Porcini Arancini, which are gorgeous fried balls of mushroom risotto blended with mozzarella and some spectacular Italian cheese fondue.
Other great Italian chefs that are certainly recommended include Gino D'Acampo, Antonio Carluccio, Gennaro Contaldo, Theo Randall, Nigela Lawson amongst a long list of others.
Cookbooks that are great to guide you through Italian cooking at home are Gino D'Acampo's 'Gino's Italian Escape' as well as Theo Randall's 'My Simple Italian'.
Other great Italian chefs that are certainly recommended include Gino D'Acampo, Antonio Carluccio, Gennaro Contaldo, Theo Randall, Nigela Lawson amongst a long list of others.
Cookbooks that are great to guide you through Italian cooking at home are Gino D'Acampo's 'Gino's Italian Escape' as well as Theo Randall's 'My Simple Italian'.
Italian Food Facts
Pizza was born in Naples and its signature pizza pie “La Margherita” was named after a Queen (Queen Margherita).
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The estimated annual pasta consumption in Italy is 30 kilos, or 70 pounds per person.
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There are 20 regions of Italy each with their own, unique cuisine. What you may eat in Rome, you may not find easily in Florence. Example: Pasta Carbonara is a Roman dish.
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France
France is known for its beautiful architecture, atmosphere and romantic vistas. So why not bring a little bit of French cooking to your doorstep?
In French medieval cuisine, banquets were common among the aristocracy. Multiple courses would be prepared, but served in a style called service en confusion, or all at once. Food was generally eaten by hand, meats being sliced off in large pieces, held between the thumb and two fingers. The sauces were highly seasoned and thick, and heavily flavored mustard was used.
Some great dishes to try cooking are the traditional ratatouille, which not only reminds you of the movie, but will fill your taste palette with flavour. Why not add a delicious baked camembert or the savoury buckwheat crêpes to your list? Give France a try by preparing a lovely dish of Blanquette de Veau, Soupe à L’oignon (which is said to be the queen of all soups), some cheese soufflé and piperade. There's such a long list of fantastic French dishes, that you'll never run out of something new to try. (Other french dishes and recipes).
In French medieval cuisine, banquets were common among the aristocracy. Multiple courses would be prepared, but served in a style called service en confusion, or all at once. Food was generally eaten by hand, meats being sliced off in large pieces, held between the thumb and two fingers. The sauces were highly seasoned and thick, and heavily flavored mustard was used.
Some great dishes to try cooking are the traditional ratatouille, which not only reminds you of the movie, but will fill your taste palette with flavour. Why not add a delicious baked camembert or the savoury buckwheat crêpes to your list? Give France a try by preparing a lovely dish of Blanquette de Veau, Soupe à L’oignon (which is said to be the queen of all soups), some cheese soufflé and piperade. There's such a long list of fantastic French dishes, that you'll never run out of something new to try. (Other french dishes and recipes).
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If it's a French chef you're looking for, then you'll certainly find one. You can look at each style and find any recipes you might like. A handful that you should look into include Paul Bocuse, Alain Ducasse, Daniel Boulud and of course, the famous Raymond Blanc and Michael Roux Jr.
As for cookbooks, 'The Food Lover’s Guide to Paris' by Patricia Wells is a great guide, as well as 'Simple French Cookery' by Raymond Blanc. |
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French Food Facts
Approximately 500 million snails are consumed per year in France.
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Wine is considered a very important part of the meal and the French are the second biggest consumers of alcohol in the western world.
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There are over 5,000 restaurants in Paris alone.
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Greece
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Greece is home to some of the most sophisticated and refined tastes in the world. It has some common characteristics with the traditional cuisines of Italy, the Balkans, Turkey and the Levant.
Contemporary Greek cookery makes wide use of vegetables, olive oil, grains, fish, wine and meat (white and red, including lamb, poultry, rabbit and pork). Other important ingredients include olives, cheese, eggplant (aubergine), zucchini (courgette), lemon juice, vegetables, herbs, bread and yoghurt. The most commonly used grain is wheat; barley is also used. Common dessert ingredients include nuts, honey, fruits, and filo pastry. |
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Looking to explore and experiment with food is what the Greeks are known for. They're all about letting the ingredients speak for themselves. You could also bring this style into your own home. A great first Greek dish to begin with would be Revithia, which is a Greek chickpea soup, Keftedes Arni (crispy Greek lamb meatballs), tsoureki bread, moussaka as well as Spanakopita, which is a spinach pie with homemade phyllo and so many other great Greek recipes.
Some chefs that really need looking into are Ettore Botrini, Alexandros Kardasis, Akis Petretzikis and Argyro Barbarigou. There are some great Greek chefs, but our very own Jamie Oliver has analyzed the Greek cuisine and created a few great recipes too.
Take a look at Patrick Smith's 'Greek Cuisine Cookbook' for some great recipes to make at home. As well as 'Greek Revival: Cooking for Life' by Patricia Moore-Pastides.
Some chefs that really need looking into are Ettore Botrini, Alexandros Kardasis, Akis Petretzikis and Argyro Barbarigou. There are some great Greek chefs, but our very own Jamie Oliver has analyzed the Greek cuisine and created a few great recipes too.
Take a look at Patrick Smith's 'Greek Cuisine Cookbook' for some great recipes to make at home. As well as 'Greek Revival: Cooking for Life' by Patricia Moore-Pastides.
Greek Food Facts
It’s believed that the Greeks have between 50 and 70 different varieties of bread.
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Honey is important in Greek food. It is used much like we use sugar, as a sweetener in many different foods.
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Perhaps the most important food to the ancient (and modern) Greeks is the olive. It is not simply a food. It is also a big part of Greek history.
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Breakfast in Europe
Discover a little more of Europe by starting your day the way other Europeans do. Whether it's pancakes, rice, meat or veggies; get a sense of what their morning traditions are!
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Italian
Cappuccino e Cornetto No, not the ice cream. This traditional, and quite frankly, basic Italian breakfast of a Cappuccino coffee and croissant is probably to stretch their stomach for a day of pizza, pasta and cheese eating! French Pastries Usually washed down with a strong coffee, a typical French breakfast consists of croissants and other flaky pastries stuffed with chocolate or almonds. There is also the option of meat and baguette washed down by a large bowl of Chocolat Chaud- Hot Chocolate to you and me! |
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England
Traditional Full English Breakfast
The breakfast table used to be an opportunity to display the wealth of an estate and the quality of the meats, vegetables and ingredients produced on the surrounding land, as well as a chance to show off the skills of the cooks. The full English usually includes sausage, beans, bacon, egg, hash browns, tomatoes and mushrooms.
Scandinavia
Rye Bread, Cheese, Salami & Hafragrautur (Oatmeal)
Voted as the healthiest diet in the world, the Scandinavian diet boasts peculiar condiments such as seriously fermented herring. However, their simple breakfast of Rye Bread, cheese, salami and Hafragrautur (a healthy oatmeal porridge) is delicious. And certain to keep you satisfied and warm throughout the day.
Americans Try European Food
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