Cooking authentic Italian at home requires that your kitchen be stocked with a few “must have” tools. They should be good quality and built to last. If you prefer to dine out and enjoy traditional Italian fare, then a visit to restaurant row in Orlando will lead you to the one and only Christini’s Ristorante Italiano. Here you are certain to be welcomed into an elegant, yet relaxing atmosphere, where you will be pampered by an outstanding staff and served the most spectacular Italian dishes. Maybe you enjoy a fabulous meal out and still love to cook, so here’s a quick list of those Italian cooking “must haves.”
- Wooden spoons are an important part of the Italian kitchen. In Italy, olive wood is the preferred wood for spoons. Wood doesn’t conduct heat and doesn’t add any metallic flavor to foods. Be sure to purchase one with a long enough handle to reach the bottom of your biggest pot.
- Pasta pots are essential for cooking your pasta perfectly. Anywhere from a 5-8 gallon capacity is what you should be looking for. Some people prefer those with a built-in colander; just be certain that the colander can accommodate an appropriate amount of pasta for your cooking style.
- Cheese graters are vital to authentic Italian cooking. Whether you choose a rasp-style, a traditional box grater, or a rotary one, ease of use and durability is what’s important here. Take good care of your grater to keep the grates sharp, and you’ll have it for years to come.
- Garlic presses are very useful to the Italian cook. Since garlic is an important enhancement to so many recipes, it makes sense that there is a device to help press the cloves into your dishes. A heavy-duty press is preferred as it should be able to handle cloves of different sizes.
- Baking pans are an absolute necessity if you are making lasagna, manicotti, or any other delicious dishes and desserts. Whether it be glassware or metal, make sure it is sturdy enough to handle your heaviest preparations.
- Ladles are important to many styles of cooking, and in an Italian kitchen, they should be long enough to reach into the soup or sauce pot and be big enough to spoon sauce over a serving of pasta or fill a soup bowl in two scoops.
- Mezzaluna choppers are often found in an Italian kitchen. The simple rocking motion makes quick work out of chopping fresh herbs and vegetables. You can purchase them in a variety of sizes.
- Sharp Knives are an intrinsic part of any kitchen. They should be made of stainless steel or carbon, and it really is worth investing in a good set of knives. You can get by with one, but having a selection at your disposal makes food prep an absolute dream.
Make careful decisions when selecting your utensils, and they will last a lifetime. While taking time to amass your arsenal of Italian cooking essentials, treat yourself by making a reservation at the one and only Christini’s Ristorante Italiano on restaurant row in Orlando.
