When considering what might comprise a well-stocked Italian kitchen, there are so many choices that came to mind. In an effort to keep this realistic, simple, and relatively inexpensive, the list was pared down to these ten staples from your best Italian Orlando restaurant, Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. By maintaining the following items in your pantry, you will be able to prepare a host of many Italian dishes without making a special trip to the grocery store.
- Olive Oil: While it’s nice to have several kinds of olive oil on hand, a bottle of extra virgin olive oil will get you by quite nicely. Used to sauté, make simple vinaigrette, or as a finishing touch to many dishes, it is an absolute must-have for any pantry.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Ranging in consistency from thin, to almost syrup-like, from tart and tangy, to sweet and sour, balsamic vinegar is used in so many food preparations, sauces, and vinaigrettes.
- Garlic: Synonymous with Italian food, keep small amounts of fresh garlic in your pantry to ensure you always have the freshest garlic to add to your recipes.
- Tomatoes: Take the time to learn how to select the best tomatoes available in your market. If the pickings don’t look good, or they aren’t in season, keep a quality brand of canned tomatoes on hand that have no preservatives and are low in sugar. Tomatoes are the base upon which so many excellent sauces are built, so they must be spectacular.
- Fresh Herbs and Spices: Basil, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, and sage are invaluable sources of flavor in Italian cooking.
- Pasta: Whether whole grain or semolina, keep several shapes of dry pasta in the pantry. It’s easy to whip up a quick meal, such as Spaghetti Aglio et Olio, or Penne and Tomato Sauce.
- Cheeses: A really good grating wedge of parmigianno-regiano, pecorino-romano, or fontina cheese is an absolute must in an Italian kitchen. Having more than one on hand will add a depth of flavor that is unsurpassable to all of your savory dishes. Mozzarella is a staple not to be ignored. It adds a rich and creamy texture to so many recipes. Fresh mozzarella is best used in salads and appetizers, while a lower moisture version is best in dishes such as manicotti and lasagna.
- Olives: While fresh is best, keeping a can or two of black olives in the pantry adds a salty bite to many dishes. Some people prefer to keep anchovies in the closet for their nutty, salty flavor, but either helps to add a unique taste to your Italian recipes.
- Pancetta: As bacon is to an American cook, pancetta is to the Italian cook. Render it down and sauté your protein in the fat. It adds the most amazing flavor and texture to so many dishes.
- Wine: Keep a bottle of red and a bottle of white in your kitchen. Remember that you should never cook with a wine that you wouldn’t drink on its own.
Visit Christini’s Ristorante Italiano, and enjoy a fabulous meal that is sure to feature all the staples of a fine Italian kitchen. Call us today and enjoy the finest Italian restaurant in Orlando!
