The History of Pizza in Italian Food

Italian food is unique amongst world cuisines in that it has birthed not one, but two international sensations. Of course I’m talking about pasta and pizza. Pizza is one of the most widely eaten foods today. While most people think of pizza in America as Italian food, it really is not like the pizza of authentic Italian food. It is said that with one taste of pizza made in the style of authentic Italian food, you will never go back to the Americanized version. Even when eating at Italian food restaurants it is hard to capture the distinguished taste of true Italian pizza.

Pizza is one Italian food that has been around in one form or another for centuries. It has a long history in the Mediterranean where it began as a seasoned flatbread that was used more as an edible plate to hold other food, rather than as a food by itself. However, these earlier pizzas established a name for Italian food very early on and were eaten in Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Babylon and were emphatically praised by many historians of the day.

It was in the Middle Ages that pizza began to take a form that would be more familiar to Italian food lovers today. Pizza started out being just a dough topped with herbs and olive oil. Once mozzarella cheese began to be produced from Indian Water Buffalo it quickly became a signature aspect of pizza. Today at any true Italian food eatery this fresh mozzarella di buffalo is nonnegotiable. The dried shredded mozzarella that is often associated with Italian food would actually never be used on a pizza made by a true Italian food chef.

It wouldn’t be until the tomato became popular in Italian food in the 18th century that we would see modern pizza. During this time pizza began to take an even more prominent role in Italian food. In Naples pizza was sold on the streets for every meal. This once peasant food was quickly taking hold of all of society, including the upper class. In fact, by 1830 the first ever pizzeria was opened in Naples. Ever since this time pizzerias have been found all over the world converting people to the love of Italian food.

Traditional Italian pizza is cooked in a wood fired oven. The reason American pizza is often not thought of as a true Italian food is because the large restaurant chains that specialize in pizza do not cook it in a wood fired oven. Pizzas featured in Italian food restaurants should use only the freshest ingredients. In Italy pizzas change with the seasons as new ingredients become available. The great thing about pizza that has made it so popular is the fact that it can be topped with a vast array of toppings. Each region of Italy has its own particular style of pizza that they specialize in, making use of the ingredients most readily available to them.

So for real Italian food pizza it is necessary to step out of the confining ideas of just a few types of pizza and open your mind to the different possibilities. Italian food is full of variety and you could literally spend a year in Italy just trying all the different styles of pizza that made Italian food so universally popular.

What Are Some Fruits in Mexico

Fruits are grown throughout Mexico. The regions of Mexico differ, so depending on the location, the fruits will be different. Some of the fruits found in Mexico are grown on trees, others on the ground. Many have a tropical taste to them. Some of these fruits are native to other countries, but grown in Mexico.

Mangos are very popular all over the world, including Mexico. Mexico is one of the top producers of the fruit. They are believed to be a native of Asia. Mangos can be found growing on trees. When ripe, they have a sweet taste, which is unique. They carry many vitamins and minerals. People eat them by themselves, or add them to dishes such as chutney, and fruit salads. They can also be made into dried pieces, juice, glaze, puree, and preserves.

Papaya is another fruit found in Mexico. It is believed to have originated there. It can grow as large as 12 feet in height. Hawaii also has papaya fruits that are known to taste sweeter than the Mexican grown papayas. A ripened papaya will taste sweet and juicy. It contains vitamins and fiber and is good for the digestive system. Even the seeds that are found inside the fruit are edible. They taste similar to black pepper. Papaya is also considered when dealing with herbal medicine. It claims to help with the properties of: laxative, hypertensive, antibacterial, and more.

Mexico is one of the top producers when it comes to Pineapples. Pineapples are the second most popular tropical fruit, with bananas being the first. Pineapples take 18 months to grow from a seed into a ripe fruit. The fruit has to be harvested at the right time, because it softens while it ripens and does not get any sweeter after it is picked. Pineapples carry many vitamins, minerals, fiber and enzymes that are a plus for the digestive system. It is healthy and tasty. Experts believe that pineapples hold micro-nutrients that can protect against cancer, and also prevent blood-clots. It is also said to be good for the heart. It is also believed that pineapple juice triggers the kidneys and helps remove the toxic elements that are in our bodies.

Although avocados are in many dishes with vegetables, they are a fruit. Avocados are native to Mexico and Central America. They grow on trees in tropical climates. Avocadoes are extremely good for your health. They are packed with many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is a must-have fruit for people of all ages, including babies and children. Avocadoes can be mixed with other fruits such as in a salad, made into a dip, and much more!

Fruits in Mexico are healthy and unique. They can be found at grocery stores and food markets in America. Are you tired of the same old oranges and bananas? Need new fruits in your life? If you have not ever tried these Mexican fruits before, purchase a few to sample. Check that the fruit is ripened and enjoy the new flavors!

Melted Belgian Chocolate: The Best Way to Eat Belgian Chocolates

Melted Belgian Chocolate: The Best Way to Eat Belgian Chocolates

It is a fact that Belgian chocolates are widely loved by everyone around the world. From Asia to America to Europe, chocolates are definitely the world’s favorite candy. In fact diet fanatics from all over the world regard chocolates as their number one enemy because they can never resist eating one from time to time. Your dieting sister may even have a secret stash of chocolates in her bedroom or they sneak in to the kitchen in the middle of the night just to get eat a piece of chocolate.

Children and adults alike enjoy eating chocolates. However, you have to consider the fact that there are different kinds of chocolates available in the market today. Different countries have different recipes for chocolates and you have to consider that only handful countries perfect the manufacturing of premium chocolates that tastes great and offers a taste that you will never grow tired off.

Unlike cheap chocolates, fine chocolates are very different in texture and in taste. You have to consider that a chocolate should not be too sweet and should also be smooth when it is melting in your mouth. One of the best chocolate manufacturing countries in the world is Belgium. Belgium is well-known for producing the finest chocolates in the world where their chocolates are considered to be perfect.

So, if you are looking for that chocolate that you can definitely love, you have to try Belgian chocolates as it can make you want to eat more. For centuries, Belgian chocolates have been highly regarded even by aristocrats all over the world. They consider Belgian chocolates as the worlds finest and nothing comes close to the taste, smoothness and creaminess it offers.

In the past, the best way to eat a chocolate is by drinking it. Today, chocolates are widely available in bars and in morsels. However, you have to consider the fact that melting it and drinking it is still the best way to consume chocolate. You have to realize the fact that most people find it more satisfying to drink chocolate instead of consuming it in its solid form. In the winter, many Belgians melt their chocolates and drink it in order to get themselves warm.

Aside from getting warm, melted chocolates can also give you more satisfaction as it passes inside your mouth. It can release its full flavor and it can also be smoother and creamier in texture. So, if you want to eat chocolate, especially in the winter months, you should try melting it, put it in your favorite cup and slowly sip it. With every sip, you will want to keep it in your mouth as long as possible and never swallow it at all. This is how delicious Belgian chocolates are. If you are still skeptical about it and you have never tasted Belgian chocolates before, you should try and purchase one.

Since Belgian chocolates are considered to be the finest in the world, you have to expect it to be on the expensive side. There are quite a lot of Belgian chocolate brands available in the market today. And, naming two of the finest Belgian chocolate brands are Godiva and Callabaut.

So, if you want a Belgian chocolate that can be more satisfying to eat, you should melt it and drink it. A Belgian chocolate in a cup is better than a Belgian chocolate in a box.

Regional Italian Food

When most people think of Italian food they think of dishes of spaghetti, lasagna, minestrone, and tortellini. This is a very general view of Italian food and if you were to travel to Italy you would be very shocked by the Italian food that they eat. The main reason for this is that there are over nineteen regions in Italy, all serving up their own variation on Italian food. Furthermore, Italian food is very seasonal and depends on the freshest ingredients, so the cuisine in summer will be very different than the winter cuisine.

The Italian food that most Americans are familiar with comes from the northern parts of Italy. This is where the rich dishes full of cheese and heavy on the sauce come from. The meats that are most commonly used here are beef and pork. If you love the Italian food that you can find in America, than the northern region of Italy is the place for you. This food will be most familiar, but it will still offer an exciting change from the Italian food found in the United States. Also, don’t let the stereotypical view of Italian food just being spaghetti and meatballs slow you down. In fact, very few people in Italy actually eat spaghetti and meatballs. The Italian food that is actually found in Italy is much more complex and diverse and will rely on more spices than just garlic.

As you move further south in Italy you will find that the cuisine changes. In the south there is more fish used. Often this brand of Italian food is called Mediterranean food. The dishes here are much lighter and are healthier in general. The people in the southern half of Italy are amongst the healthiest in the world and it is due in great part to the types of Italian food that they eat. One of the reasons this Italian food is so healthy is because they use olive oil to cook most of their food in.

One of the great misconceptions about Italian food is that it uses too many spices in overwhelming quantities. This misconception probably arises out the importation of Italian food to America where it is often cooked by people who have never been to Italy, much less eaten authentic Italian food. While spices are used in Italian food, they are meant to be an accent to the natural flavor of the dish. The fact that Italian food is seasonal makes it less likely to rely on heavy spices since there is a strong fresh flavor about the meats, sauces, and pastas. However, travelers will find that the food in the northern regions of Italy do use a little more spice in their Italian food than the southern regions.

So, when thinking of Italian food it is important to remember that there is no national standard of the cuisine. With nineteen regions there is a vast diversity in dishes. Each region boasts their own unique take on Italian food, showcasing their native crops and livestock. However, all throughout the country travelers will taste that certain something; will feel that comforting familiarity; that makes Italian food one of the most popular cuisines in the world.

The Beginning of Nachos And What They Have Become!

Nachos are one of the most popular snack foods. They can be found at home, festivals, and sporting events. They do not take much effort to prepare. People add different toppings and enjoy the warm cheese. It may be a surprise to know that nachos came about less than 100 years ago. It all started in 1943 at the military base, Fort Duncan in Eagle Pass, Texas. A few military wives decided to take a visit to Mexico, which was not far away at all. The wives grew hungry, so they stopped by a restaurant, demanding food and drinks. The only employee available, who was nicknamed “nacho”, brought out tortilla chips. He melted Wisconsin cheese over it and cut jalapenos for a topping. The women enjoyed the snack so much that they went back to Texas and it spread like wildfire.

Texas was the only area that knew about this special dish. It was not until 1977 when a man named Frank Liberto decided to sell nachos at his concession stand. He found a way to keep the cheese soft and served it with tortilla chips. One day when it was Monday night football, a few of the hosts tried the nachos and fell in love with the new snack. Whenever the hosts were on the air, they would talk about nachos any chance they got, which spread the word all over the United States.

These days’ people all over the United States enjoy this snack. There is a never ending variety of toppings that can be served on the nachos. Some include guacamole, tomatoes, lettuce, olives, and ground beef. Some people enjoy the nacho cheese so much that they put it on other foods. Have you ever tried nacho cheese on ice cream? How about on sausage, and fish? Maybe these people enjoy the cheese a bit too much.

Different parts of the United States serve nachos differently. In the south, you can usually find nachos at barbeque restaurants. The toppings include barbequed beef with the sauce on top of the rest of the toppings. Restaurants in other parts of the country refer to some nacho platters as “loaded nachos”. It is usually an appetizer. Loaded nachos are abundant in toppings. You can find these at bars and restaurants. Outside of America also enjoy nachos. If you go to Ireland you will find “Irish nachos”. Instead of tortilla chips, they use French fries or potato wedges. The rest of the toppings are the same as regular nachos.

Nachos are simple to make from your own home. There are many different recipes available. Some include chicken instead of beef. Others have many different vegetables with a dab of sour cream on top. Let your imagination go wild. If you would prefer to have it already made, some grocery stores have the nachos pre packed with the nacho cheese in a separate container next to the chips. A great way to have authentic nachos is by having lunch or dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. The nachos can come really big and piled with many toppings. It may be messy, but it is worth it!