By admin 
The time to learn how to make the perfect Italian dish is now. Learning the basics of Italian cooking at home seems like a good way to spend time, especially with fall approaching. Imagine that in just a few weeks you will be cooking like a nonna Italiana! We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite Italian cooking tips for beginners to get you started:
Keep Key Ingredients On Hand
Having the ingredients on hand is a great way to inspire yourself to cook. This doesn’t mean you should stock your pantry and refrigerator with every Italian item that comes to mind. Start by stocking your pantry and fridge with simple ingredients, such as pasta shapes that you use often, Parmigiano Reggiano of good quality, and prepared pasta sauces. We recommend that you start with sauces already prepared so that you can focus on developing your skills, such as cooking pasta al dente.
Fresh Produce is Best
Once you have the basics stocked, and have made a few pasta dishes that are easy to make, you will be ready for more complex recipes. You can also build upon your basic knowledge with new ingredients. Fresh produce is an important part of Italian cooking, so make sure to use it whenever you can. It’s also best to choose seasonal vegetables. These can be added to pasta recipes, and you can even make them the stars of the dish. Think spiralized vegetables to replace traditional pasta.
Fresh Herbs for Flavour
Fresh herbs can’t compare to dried ones. Fresh herbs are best if you can find any. Take advantage of the fact that most grocery stores stock popular herbs like basil, oregano and Italian parsley all year round. You’ll be rewarded with delicious Italian food.
How to Make a Soffritto
You may be asking: “So-what? We’re going to tell you everything about it. Soffritto is a base flavour for many Italian dishes. Although it may sound complicated, the dish is actually very simple and elegant. Soffritto is essentially diced celery, carrots and onion sauteed gently in olive oil. It’s a staple in classic dishes like Bolognese. Soffritto can be added to almost anything. Remember those sauces that we discussed? You can use them to add a little more flavour and body on those evenings.
How to Cook Pasta Perfectly
It’s not necessary to mention this, but it’s important to perfect the art and technique of cooking pasta if you’re going to be a master at Italian cooking. Although some prefer their pasta a bit softer, the traditional Italian pasta noodle is cooked “to the teeth”. The best way to master this technique is to follow the instructions on the pasta package. You’ll eventually develop an understanding of what makes a perfect pasta noodle.