Italian cooking lesson for our World studies international recipes section. (2024)

We are having an Italian cooking lesson for this world studiessession. Italians have some of the most famous recipes that peoplearound the world try to duplicate. Whether it is a complex recipe ora simple lasagna, Italian recipes are sure to please.

Common ingredients for Italian recipes are Prosciutto, freshmozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil, pesto, roasted pepper or freshpasta. As a matter of fact pasta was invented here as well as pizza.

Get all of our International Cooking Section plus more in oneebook,free of ads and easier to use in cooking activities. Included inthe ebook:

• 20+ countries information and recipes
• Dinner menu invitations toprint off to create your own internationalnight
• International quizzes
• World maps
• Geography activities

Italian Cooking Lesson: Facts about Italy

• Mealtime is family time for Italians. They gather together asa family, local stores close for several hours and many childrengo home from school for lunch.
• Italy is a rather small country about the size of Arizona,USA.
• Italy is shaped like a boot.

Italy is also Known for Several Famous Things Besides GreatFood:

• Art, ever heard of Michelangelo's Sistine chapel in Rome. Hepainted the roof of the chapel for four years.
• Leaning tower of Pisa
• Bocce ball originated in Italy
• Famous cities such as Rome, Florence, Milan

Learn a Little Language with Your Italian Cooking Lesson

Buon Giorno! (bwon zhor-no) - Hello or Good Day
ArrivederLa (ah-ree-vuh-dehr-lah) -Goodbye
Ho fame (oh fah-meh)-I'm hungry.

Italian Cooking Lesson with International Recipes

Italian Frittata

Frittata is an Italian word for omelet.

• 8 eggs
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese or Romano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried sage
• 1/4 cup diced fully cooked ham or prosciutto
• small zucchini, sliced or cubed
• 2 medium green onions, sliced
• 2 Roma (plum)tomatoes, sliced
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

In large skillet or pie plate add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Spreadaround to coat bottom and edges. In mixing bowl beat together eggs,salt, pepper, cheese, basil, and sage. Stir in chopped ham,zucchini, and onions. Pour egg mixture into skillet and bake at 375degrees for 15-20 minutes until the frittata is set. Top with slicedtomatoes and more Parmesan cheese.

Tomato Bruschetta

In this Italian cooking lesson it is important to know that Italianbruschetta and Italian Crostini are similar but Bruschetta isgrilled or toasted bread rubbed with garlic and oil. Olive oil isthe key ingredient in Bruschetta. Crostini is also slices of thinbread but they are usually served with cheese or tapenade (olivepaste).

• 1 Loaf Italian bread cut diagonally in slices
• 1 Garlic clove; minced
• 2 Tablespoon Olive oil
• 2 Large Tomatoes; peeled, seeded, and chopped
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 Teaspoon Pepper
• 1/2 Cup Chopped fresh basil

On a cookie sheet place sliced bread. Broil several minutes untilgolden brown. Meanwhile stir garlic and olive oil together. Brusheach bread slice with garlic oil. Spread chopped tomatoes on top ofeach bread and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Warm in the oven.Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil and serve. This could be the startof a Italian cooking lesson as it is an easy Italian cooking recipe.

Vegetable Lasagna

• Lasagna noodles, uncooked
• small bunch of broccoli flowerets, cut in small pieces
• 2 carrots, shredded
• 4 cups spaghetti sauce or large jar
• 2 Green or red bell peppers, chopped
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 15 oz or 2 cups cottage or ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 Tablespoons dried parsley
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, for the top

Saute garlic in olive oil and add carrots, broccoli, bell peppersand spaghetti sauce. Let simmer about 8-10 minutes until vegetablesare tender. In separate bowl mix cottage cheese, Parmesan, parsley,mozzarella cheese (save some for sprinkling on the top) and eggs.Spread a thin layer of sauce on bottom of a 8x11 or 13x9 pan. Laylasagna noodles on bottom of pan.

Spread cottage cheese mixture over top of noodles. Spread more sauceon top of noodles. Continue layering in pan until the pan is full.Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40minutes or until noodles are tender. If you have a family favoritelasagna recipe try it for a Italian cooking lesson.
See more lasagna recipes.

Homemade Pasta Dough

Make homemade pastaand then learn how to make HomemadeTomato Sauce for your Italian cooking lesson.

Making Homemade Potato Gnocchi Recipe

• 1 Cup mashed potatoes about 1-2 medium potatoes cooked, dicedand mashed
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Cup cottage or ricotta cheese
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated -1/2 Cup if you are usinggrated Parmesan cheese in a shaker like Kraft or a generic brand
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 3 Cups flour

Cook and mash your potatoes. Set aside. In a mixing bowl, add eggs,salt, cheeses and butter. Blend together. Add in mashed potatoes andflour. Blend together until dough forms a ball. Knead gently on afloured counter. If your dough is too dry add a tablespoon of wateruntil it forms a ball and kneads well.

Separate dough into 4 balls. Roll into thick ropes.

Cut each rope into ¾ inch-1 inch pieces.

Pour water into a large pot and add salt. Bring to a boil. Placegnocchi pieces into boiling water. When gnocchi rise to the top takethem out with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese andserve with pasta sauce. Serve immediately.

Risotto with Parmaginao Cheese

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, grated
• 1 pound short grain white rice
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 ounces Parmagiano Reggiano cheese, coarsely grated

In large saucepan add butter and olive oil. Allow to heat and meltbutter. Add grated onion and saute several minutes until onion istransparent. Add in rice and stir until all rice is evenly coatedand glassy looking. Add chicken broth and turn stove to medium-low.Let simmer covered for about 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Whenrise is tender stir in butter and cheese. Serve immediately.

Italian Biscotti

• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 cup almonds chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• dash of lemon or orange zest
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl including flour, baking soda, saltand nuts. Set aside. In mixing bowl beat together eggs, sugar,butter, zest, vanilla and almond extract. Slowly stir in flourmixture. Blend together. Place dough on a floured surface and dividein two. Shape dough into a long loaf. Lay both loaves on a greasedcookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes or until firmand lightly golden brown. Cut loaves diagonally into slices. Placeon cookie sheet and bake another 10-15 minutes turning over once.Biscotti will become crisp and you can cool on wire rack.

Italian Cooking Lesson Tip

An easy way to make cannelloni (they resemble stuffed tubes) is touse lasagna noodles. Place the filling on top of the lasagna noodleand roll up the noodle. Place in a casserole dish and top withtomato sauce.

Easy Italian Wedding Soup

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 Cup water
• 1 cup medium shell pasta
• Homemade or frozen meatballs, cooked
• 2 cups spinach leaves, finely chopped
• 2 cups pizza sauce

In saucepan add broth and water. Bring to a boil. Then add pasta andmeatballs. When pasta is tender. Stir in chopped spinach and pizzasauce. Heat through and serve immediately. Italian wedding soupusually isn't served at weddings. It gets its name because of thefact that the spinach and the meat goes (marries) well together.

Simple Italian Starter

• 3 plum tomatoes sliced crosswise
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil and 2 Tablespoons fresh parsley,chopped
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Place sliced tomatoes on a serving platter. Sprinkle with choppedherbs and drizzle olive oil over the top. Sprinkle with salt andpepper. Easy Italian cooking can't get much better than this.

Panzella Italian Bread Salad

• 1-2 loaves Italian bread
• 3 fresh diced tomatoes save juice also
• red onion, diced
• 1 3/4 cups fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cut bread in slices and cube. You need about 4 cups for this recipe.Place cubes on a cookie sheet and toast until golden brown stirringseveral times. In serving bowl, add bread cubes, diced tomatoes,diced onion, juice from tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and 1 cupolive oil together. Toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper andserve immediately.

Caprese Salad

Layer slices of mozzarella and tomatoes onto a serving platter.Drizzle with olive oil or balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with saltand pepper. Add chopped basil if desired.

See our Italian Party ThemeDinner for more recipes!

Cooking Around the World Studies

RelatedCooking around World Pages:~International Cooking for Kids,~American,~Asian,~British,~Eastern Europe,~French,~Greece,~India,~Irish,~Italy,~Mexico,~Middle East,~South Africa,~Southern USA~World Studies Unit

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