These are the 7 most authentic Italian dishes you can order at an Italian restaurant, according to chefs
If you ask an Italian what they think of spaghetti meatballs , you’ll probably get the devil’s stare. No, if anything is not an original Italian dish, it’s that. Want to enjoy authentic Italian food at an Italian restaurant? According to chefs, there are seven different dishes you should try.
Calamari
Huh, calamari? Isn’t that the snack you buy at the supermarket, heat up in the microwave and pass around on a platter at your birthday? No, that’s calamari from a completely different category. When prepared properly, it’s an outstanding Italian delicacy. Not a rubbery sole in soggy batter, but crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and incredibly flavorful. Some chefs claim that good calamari is an indication of the quality of the Italian restaurant as a whole. And that making truly good calamari is beyond the abilities of many home cooks. Still want to try it? Go for these stuffed calamari with anchovy sauce.
Focaccia and bruschetta
That basket of garlic baguette sitting on your table? Leave it alone. According to chefs, it fills you up far too quickly and only diminishes your appetite. Instead, you should try focaccia and bruschetta. The quality of these bread products once again says a lot about the skill of the Italian chefs. Focaccia should be deliciously light and airy, while bruschetta should be well grilled and drizzled with real Italian olive oil. The Italians know exactly what we mean.
Good pasta
An Italian meal is, of course, not complete without pasta. But even a simple plate of spaghetti can go quite wrong. According to chefs, you’re perfectly entitled to be critical of the pasta placed in front of you. Truly authentic Italian pasta should be fresh, made in-house, prepared according to a traditional recipe and have the right (al dente) texture. Phew, those are quite a few requirements. But then again, we know that a bad plate of pasta can really ruin your day. Chefs advise us to choose a house pasta dish. It almost always ticks all the aforementioned boxes. Otherwise, Cacio e Pepe is often a good choice too.
Artisanal pizzas
You’ll understand that that thick frozen supermarket pizza isn’t an authentic Italian pizza. So what is? According to chefs, the crust says a lot, if not everything, about the quality of the pizza. A truly authentic Italian pizza has a light, crispy crust. It takes the chef a great deal of time to achieve this. Another thing: Italians prefer to bake their pizzas in a stone or wood-fired oven. This creates that smoky, charred flavor that’s so irresistible. Finally, an Italian pizza is truly authentic when the chef has remained true to their roots. A base topped with local ingredients is always a major plus.
Authentic chicken dishes
In the mood for chicken and eating at an Italian restaurant? There’s a good chance chicken Parmesan is on the menu. But if that’s the only chicken dish on the menu, chefs say it’s not a good sign. Pollo al Marsala, with chicken and mushrooms, is a much better and more authentic choice. It’s a true classic from the Sicilian city of Marsala. You make this dish with Marsala wine, from the Italian town of the same name. It’s almost a shame if this dish doesn’t have a place on an Italian menu.
Regional meat dishes
We all know pasta Bolognese. But according to chefs, there are many more—and even more authentic—Italian meat dishes we should try. They recommend Brasato Vitello: a stew of veal with vegetables, whipped ricotta and bacon. You braise the meat in Barolo wine, a classic wine from Piedmont (where Brasato Vitello also originates). Is your mouth watering yet?
Anything with Calabrian chili
Sometimes the authenticity of an Italian dish comes from one simple local ingredient. That applies to dishes with Calabrian chili. Many ‘imitation dishes’ contain jalapeño peppers instead of Calabrian chili, but they really do lack that smoky element. Want to feel like you’re truly in Italy? Look for a dish containing this magical little chili pepper.
Also read:
- The most delicious dishes from Italy (and where to eat them!)
- Italian food tour guide reveals how to choose the very best Italian ice cream (at truly good gelaterias)
- 10x the worst-rated dishes from Italy
Source: eatthis.com
