ITALIAN COOKING IS AN ART IN ITS OWN WAY. Like a painter who adds an extra dab of this or that, changing the colour by degrees here and there, Italian cooking is similar. The way our mothers and grandmothers cook without ever needing to measure is an art in itself.
In saying that, here are some basic things to keep in mind before attempting any recipe.
The very first step in cooking is to read the recipe all the way through, a few times, from beginning to end. This way you will learn if you have all of the ingredients and tools on hand. You will also be able to look up terms you do not understand so the cooking process flows smoothly.
Most of the recipes start with the ingredient list, and the ingredients are normally listed in the order they are used, sometimes specifying the main ingredient first.
Exact measurements in some of these recipes are essential, though personal taste normally overrides them. When a recipe calls for a tablespoon or teaspoon, we mean for you to use actual measuring utensils, not spoons that you use for eating and serving, though by all means add a pinch here and there if you feel a recipe requires it.
Even the order of the words in an ingredient list changes the preparation of the recipe. For instance, if a recipe calls for 1 cup parsley (chopped fine), that is different from 1 cup finely chopped parsley. In the first case, you should measure 1 cup of fresh parsley, then chop it. In the second case, the parsley should be chopped first, and then measured. The bracket placement changes the measuring technique.
Warm oil means placing the oil in the skillet or pot, turning on the heat and leaving it on the heat for 1 to 2 minutes, until you can feel the warmth of the oil.
After you have read the recipe, gather all the ingredients, pots, pans, bowls, and measuring utensils you will need. Go slowly and double-check all the steps and ingredients.
The body of the recipe contains the instructions about combining, heating and cooking the ingredients.
Cooking a recipe does not have to be complicated or confusing. Ensuring that you are familiar with the recipe and its ingredients will make for a great meal and an enjoyable experience.
Now that you have the book, commit yourself to trying all the recipes within the next year, while sipping your favourite glass of Italian wine, and add your personal touches as you go along.
Salute!
Gino and Mauro