Favorite Italian Recipes

Perhaps more than any other, Italian cooking dominates the food scene in cities and towns all across America. My first introduction to Italian cuisine came long before I ever visited Italy. My mother, though not Italian, was making spaghetti before I even knew it was Italian cooking. Macaroni (and cheese) was a staple on Fridays in our home, and pizza has been America's most popular dish for generations now.

Why is Italian cooking so popular? First and foremost, it appeals to almost every taste. Young and old alike love pasta, the basis for most Italian cooking. Second, cooking Italian is easy. Ingredients are readily found either fresh or packaged. Olive oil has become the new butter. And third, it's relatively inexpensive which may have always been its real appeal.

Following are links to some of my favorite Italian recipes that you may or may not have already tried.

Fettucini Alfredo Oh so rich but oh so good.

Pasta Piselli Peas and pasta. Very basic. Quick to prepare. And every Italian loves it.

Risotto Milanese Oh what the Italians do with rice. This recipe calls for bone marrow which may be hard to find, but it's worth it.

Ribollita In essence, this is Italian bean soup -- comfort food Tuscan style -- and I can't get enough of it.

Italian Wedding Soup Sure you can buy the Progresso version in a can, but it doesn't taste anything like the real thing.

Pasta with Bolognese Sauce Italians call this meat sauce ragu. You'll never use the bottled stuff after you try this.