Articles

At the Market: Buying Pasta

Not all pasta is created equal, and finding the best is as easy as taking a closer look at the store shelf. 

At the Market: Pasta Sauce

If your taste in pasta sauce is that of authentic Italian there are things you need to recognize at the store shelf.

Cuts and Sauce

Selecting the perfect cut of pasta for your pasta sauce, or vice versa is like uniting the two in marriage. Here are some tips to making the perfect union of the two.

Basil

The leaves of this plant are so delightful and habit-forming, you haveto marvel that it hasn’t been made illegal. Basil is undoubtedly themost loved and popular herb in Italy. Although we tend to associate itwith Italy and other Mediterranean countries, it actually originated inIndia, and was brought to the Mediterranean via the spice routes inancient times.

Bay Leaves

Sacred to Zeus in ancient Greek mythology, the laurel tree (also known as the bay laurel or

Oregano

Oregano (origano, in Italian) is probably the herb most commonly associated with Italy in the United States - oddly, though, because it is not the mostly commonly used herb in Italian cuisine (that distinction would probably go to parsley or basil).

Rosemary (Rosmarino)

Throughout history and literature, rosemary (rosmarino, in Italian) has been associated with