ITALIAN food in Italy is definitely different from the Italian food that we are introduced with – pizza, pasta and lasagna. For example, the more popular Italian food in Italy is tiramisu. You previously didn’t know about that, did you? Tiramisu is not lasagna actually. It is a dessert of pastries which is basically a combination of cookies, cheese, coffee, cocoa, Marsala wine and rhum. What the heck, rhum? You may be surprised but it’s the peculiar Italian way.

The cookies are actually soaked in coffee and rhum and are sprinkled with sugar. Garnished on top is zabaglione which is basically a mixture of egg yolks and sugar with a dash of cocoa powder. If you want an original tiramisu, then make sure it is dipped in authentic Marsala wine which is basically wine from Sicily. The result is a bittersweet taste of satisfaction. Tiramisu is actually served in classy Western style cafes all over the world so you can never know they actually come from Italy.

To make a good zabaglione, get an electric whisk. Beat three egg yolks in not less than a minute. Gradually add sugar to the mixture and continue beating until the mixture turns pale. Then slowly add in flour. Heat the container in medium and stir while heating for about five minutes. After heating, leave the whole thing at room temperature. Once it is already cool, store it in a refrigerator in two hours. Serve with fig leaves.

If you want to be induced with carbohydrates, then go for risotto, otherwise known as the Italian way to serve rice. This is sautéed rice mixed with meat, chicken, seafood, cheese and vegetables such as mushrooms and scallions. Olive oil is used in sautéing and I find this very nutritious. Risotto is usually served with a viand on the side and red wine on the other. It is good to pair it with the Italian beef bone stew, known as osso bucco. The bone is 3 cm thick and pre-braised in white wine before being boiled.

Or you may try arancini, which is balls of rice just like what they serve in Asia but mixed in deep fried eggs, peas, cheese and tomato sauce. Hmmm…this must indeed be yummy! On the other hand, polenta is corn boiled in chicken stock.
Cheese and sausages are the other common food found in the Italian cuisine. There are 400 variants of cheese and another 300 for sausages.

Another characteristic of Italian cuisine is that it really incorporates local products into its food. In Naples for instance, citrus is included as ingredient in their viands. In seaside Venice, fish is their staple.

Breakfast in Italy is hearty. A typical breakfast consists of toast, eggs, bacon, coffee, juice, cornetto (a nutty and creamy pastry) and fruit. Lunch is regarded as a two-hour break, with the second hour catered for sleeping. This may sound unhealthy but again, this is the peculiar Italian way. So what are you waiting for? If you’ve got the money, be with me here in Italy.