The Italian Pantry: 10 Ingredients, 100 Recipes – Showcasing the Best of Italian Home Cooking

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On of my favorite ways to use capers is to fry them. Frying will make them nice and crisp and perfect for appetizer toppings. They will taste like tiny little chips and who doesn't love chips?;) Ravioli di zucca-Fresh pasta stuffed with roasted delica squash, ricotta and Parmesan,with sage and butter 341kcal Mozzarella-Mozzarella with mixed tomatoes, basil, toasted pagnotta bread and shaved ricotta salata 219kcal

Chili Flakes: (red pepper flakes): Chili flakes are something I use quite a lot to spice up sauces and add some heat. I also loved the jarred chili pastes you can buy, they taste incredible!

In the United States, it is very common to find Parmesan cheese that is believed to have the same properties as Parmigiano-Reggiano. But in most cases, Parmesan is considered any hard aged cow's cheese that is good for grating. You can easily spot the difference between Parmigiano-Reggiano and Parmesan cheese. The latter usually costs less and doesn't have a signature stamped rind. From simple pasta dishes and more extravagant dinners for when you have people over, to delectable desserts and classic Italian cakes, you'll delight in Theo's take on the very best of Italian home cooking. Fresh herbs and spices are added to many Italian dishes to enhance flavor; the most common are oregano, basil, sage, rosemary, parsley, hot pepper, thyme. Italians seldom cook without using some of these beloved herbs and spices. Basil is the scent of summer and a herb that can transform any dish into a gourmet dish. Sage, parsley and rosemary are among the most widely used herbs in the Italian kitchen. Sage is used to enhance roasts, beans and potatoes. Rosemary is great on roasts, and even for some sweets. Parsley, rich in vitamins A, B, C and iron, is excellent with seafood, boiled potatoes and essential for the preparation of many sauces. Still dreaming of the amaretti from that beautiful Tuscan artisanal bakery? That’s why we bring them to you! The pantry has many sweet Italian treats like cannoli, amaretti and Baci to remind you of your travels. And of course we can’t forget the Gluten Free options too – you’ll find all the same delights made without wheat in our Gluten Free section.

Everyone knows some of the best wines out there come from Italian vineyards! Our wines range all the way from Tuscany and Veneto, down to Puglia, Sicily and many more regions. Ask us for help with food pairings and tasting information to find the perfect red, white or rosé for you. Of course we offer the classic delight of a warm, fruity Amarone, waiting for you in store! Other fresh spices and herbs to have in your Italian pantry are Parsley (Prezzemolo), Rosemary (Rosmarino) and Sage (Salvia), dry Oregano (Origano), Thyme (Timo), Nutmeg (Noce moscata), and White Pepper (Pepe bianco). Saffron (Zafferano) is a wonderful (and expensive) spice that it’s used to make Risotto alla Milanese and other dishes. Beans There are so many choices, I suggest that you try a few small samples first. I usually buy local fresh mozzarella, ricotta and mascarpone, but Parmigiano Reggiano or others must be from Italy. Caffè Polenta: When it comes to polenta you can get two types fast cook polenta that's ready in 5 minutes or traditional polenta that takes around 30 minutes to cook. I absolutely love serving polenta with stews and sauces dishes such as meatballs. You can also let it set and use it to build lasagna type dishes, gnocchi or top bakes with it. Top Tip: I prefer traditional polenta the texture and taste is 100x better so it's worth the extra time and effort! But if you are going to cook with olive oil, I suggest getting a bottle of Light or Extra-Light Olive Oil. The lighter oil will sustain higher temperatures while cooking. TomatoesFennel Seeds: I think this is my favourite spice ever I just LOVE the flavour and it's often found in a lot of seasonings for sausages and pork roasts. I use it in pasta sauces too, it adds a really special flavour! There is a wide range of pasta sauces available in store, almost entirely ready made to make it easier for you and your family to get an authentic taste of Italy. We’ll recommend which to include in your 5-star meal at home. Pan-roasted sea bream fillet with datterini tomatoes, capers and Taggiasche olives, with Swiss chard and slow-roasted Sicilian red peppers Guests can enjoy a round of golf at Parkstone Golf Club – one of the best-known and finest courses on the South Coast. Nearby, you have the surrounding areas of Sandbanks, Canford Cliffs village, Lilliput and Westbourne where there are ample shops, restaurants and cafes to explore. Being right on the coast you are a short walk from our award-winning blue flag beaches where you can enjoy the sun, sea and many water sports. Onions will be necessary for the Soffritto along with fresh Carrots and Celery sauteed in olive oil, a base for a multitude of Italian dishes including tomato sauces. Italian Soffritto is similar in name but not the same as the Spanish “ Sofrito“, in which garlic, onion, pepper, paprika are cooked in olive oil with tomatoes. Herbs & Spices