Recipes

L'antipasto: (click for recipes)
which literally means "before the meal" and includes hot and cold appetizers such as crostini, bruschetta, and mozzarella in carrozza.

Il primo: (click for recipes)
or "first course" usually consisting of pasta, minestrone, risotto, or zuppa (soup).

Il secondo: (click for recipes)
or "second course," and is the main course - often meat, poultry, game, or fish.

Il contorno: (click for recipes)
or "side dish" which consists of vegetables such as melanzane (eggplant), spinaci (spinach), or insalata mista (mixed salad).

Il dolce: (click for recipes)
or "dessert," which includes such favorite sweets as tiramisù, torta della nonna (custard shortbread pie), or zabaglione (custard of egg yolks with wine and brandy).		  


If you happen to find yourself dining in Italy:

  1. Cappuccino and caffe' latte—are drunk ONLY at breakfast. After 10:00am a true Italian will only serve you an ESPRESSO! 
  2. Do not request freshly grated parmesan on seafood dishes! Dairy is not served with seafood.
  3. Al dente means "to the tooth," or slightly chewy. It is used to describe pasta and rice. The inside should be somewhat crisp-tender.
  4. Italians often say Buon appetito! or "Enjoy your meal" when the first course is served, and Salute! or "To your health" when toasting with a drink.
  5. Both il servizio (service charge/tip) and il coperto (cover charge—for bread and water) are usually included in il conto.
  6. By Italian law, the gratuity is included in the bill, and extra tipping isn't necessary. If the service warrants it, leave your waiter a little extra.

Some Local Restaurants and Communities using Olio Mazzone