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Questions tagged [italian-cuisine]

Questions with this tag should be about traditional ingredients, preparations or dishes from Italy - such as focaccia, risotto or tiramisu. Questions about ingredients common to Italian style cooking, but which aren't about a specific Italian dish, should not use this tag.

Questions with this tag should be about traditional ingredients, preparations or dishes from Italy - such as pasta, focaccia, risotto or tiramisu. Questions about ingredients common to Italian style cooking, but which aren't about a specific Italian dish, should not use this tag.

197 questions
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3 answers

What is the difference between grits and polenta?

I've eaten both and except for the fact that sometimes polenta is a little bit more firm, they taste the same...Any southerners out there that can help?
AttilaNYC
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2 answers

What varities of chili peppers are most commonly used in Italy

I've been reading some Italian (written in Italian, by Italians) cook books and web sites and I find that many recipes call for peperoncini. I thought I knew what these are, but according to this article in Wikipedia: While called peperoncini in…
Carey Gregory
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6 answers

Gnocchi - best fluffy technique

What is the best way to ensure prepared gnocchi is light and fluffy, not lumpy and soggy? I've seen tips saying to use more flour, to use less, to add ricotta cheese, to air dry...
faelady
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11
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2 answers

Why specifically use Passata, rather than tomatoes, in Ragu?

When making real Ragu, what really is the specific difference between using tomatoes (so, for say 1kg of meat, a big pile of tomatoes, chopped and cooked-in for many hours as the last step) using Passata (so, for say 1kg of meat, a few cups of…
Fattie
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11
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4 answers

How to make - succulent - Bruschetta?

What ingredients do you need, and what steps to perform to make Bruschetta? While on honeymoon in Tuscany we got bruschetta with chopped tomato and herb topping, on crusty bread (I think there was some olive oil on the bread?) Is there a trick to…
Binary Worrier
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11
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9 answers

Why is there a watery run-off after cooking my bolognese?

It's a fairly standard recipe with passata and wine, simmering on a low heat for a couple of hours. After stirring and putting the bolognese onto the pasta, after a couple of minutes the sauce separates a watery run off onto the bottom of the…
paprika
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3 answers

Why do we dimple a focaccia?

When I was making a focaccia earlier today, I realised that I've never been told why we dimple them before baking. A quick Googling didn't reveal anything, so I'm asking here: why do we make dimples in a focaccia before baking? Is it strictly…
user141592
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1 answer

What is the difference between a Sfogliatelle and a Lobster Tail (Pastry)

What are the differences between Sfogliatelle and a Lobster Tail (Pastry). There is conflicting information about them being either different or the same pastry. Additionally, I'm curious of other variants besides the two listed above.
Scott Markwell
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5 answers

100% Rye Pizza Base Recipes?

I'm looking for a 100% rye pizza base recipe. The recipes I can find all combine the rye with other flours (typically wheat based). I know it is possible to create 100% rye based pizza bases as I know of one pizza place in town that sells them. I…
Stephen Perelson
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10
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3 answers

When to add fresh basil to a tomato sauce?

Is it better to add fresh basil to a tomato sauce and then let it cook for say, 10 mins, or wait till the end and add just before serving?
user1085
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10
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2 answers

What's the difference between Prosciutto, Jamon Serrano and Speck?

Jamon Serrano and Prosciutto appear to be pretty much the same thing. Both are dried cured (and pressed) pig legs. Speck appears to be the same thing, but made with different cuts of pork. Is there actually a functional difference in them? Or is…
Chris Cudmore
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10
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4 answers

Tiramisu tips tricks and variants

Tiramisu is a well-known dessert based on mascarpone and coffee, and I love it :) What are tips to have a compact mousse instead of a soft/liquid cream? Do you have any special derivative from tiramisu that you experimented? I tried a tiramisu with…
Stephane
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3 answers

Is 'Pizza yeast' any different than normal baking yeast?

A friend (Italian) mentioned that she uses 'Pizza Yeast' for making pizza, and one can't use normal yeast or it'll "grow too much".. I looked around the internet for "Pizza yeast" and all I found was people saying that it was a marketing gimmick and…
notthetup
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3 answers

Is there a quintessential Italian hot sauce?

Fill in the blank: Franks is to America what Cholula is to Mexico what Sriracha is to Vietnam what ______ is to Italy. One of my recipes which is a spin on Orichiette with Rapini, calls for hot sauce. I usually use Sriracha since it tastes good but…
gator
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9
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2 answers

How to prevent the lasagne filling from sliding out?

When I cook lasagne most of the filling slides out between the pages. How do you make the filling stay in its place?
Bar Akiva
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