Liz Krause

Liz grew up the youngest in an Italian family of seven. She enjoys cooking and experimenting with various dishes and likes to share easy Italian recipes with readers on her website. She also writes reviews of various Italian kitchenware used in cooking from sausage making to stove top espresso makers. Stop by and visit her online!

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Liz Krause

Latest posts by Liz Krause (see all)

Ideas for the Carnivorous Meat Eater - October 13, 2011
Tips for Making a Perfect Bacon Cheeseburger - September 2, 2011
A look at four popular Italian desserts - August 21, 2011

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More than just gelato, Italy has to offer us more choices for a variety of Italian desserts.

Italian cuisine is one of the most popular ethnic cuisines in the United States. Known for their use of fresh ingredients such as fruits, vegetables, pasta, and of course olive oil – it is no wonder everyone loves Italian food. However, Italians are also known for some wonderful desserts – four of which are described below.

Gelato

Gelato is the Italian version of ice-cream. Just visit Rome and you will find it sold in stores on every street corner. In comparison to its American cousin, gelato is richer in flavor and produces a smoother and creamier texture. This is caused by the mixing process which does allows very little air to be mixed into the entire mixture.

Contrary to what many would think, gelato is a healthier alternative to regular American ice-cream, mainly because it does not use cream or eggs- but can instead be used with regular 2% milk which has a lower fat content.

For those who do not have the good fortune of living in Rome, this Italian dessert can be made in your own home through the use of a gelato maker. Simply add your ingredients into the gelato machine, set the appropriate settings and within 30 minutes you will have a fresh batch of frozen gelato. These batches can be conveniently stored in freezer ready containers for later use or even for creative gifts.

You can make gelato with various types of milk such as grass fed milk, goat milk and even vegan. As for water – it is possible to use instead of milk, but this will not produce the same smooth and creamy consistency one would normally expect in gelato.

Zabaione

Zabaione is a rich wonderful dessert which originates from the Tuscan region of Italy. Similar to a custard, it is made with egg yolks, whole eggs, sugar and sweet wine. Zabaione has surprisingly few ingredients, so it is best to make sure that high quality products are used. Whip the ingredients together allowing for a good amount of air to blend in with the ingredients. Serve in glasses or bowls along with some cookies for dipping and enjoy!

Panna Cotta

Panna Cotta is an authentic Northern Italian dessert. It is a soft set pudding often served chilled with fruit coulis, berries, or chocolate. “Panna Cotta” translates as cooked cream and as with Zabaione, the ingredient list is very basic: milk, unflavored gelatin, cream, sugar, and vanilla. Traditionally boiled fish bones were used in place of gelatin, however over the years more modern recipes have replaced the bones with the gelatin. The ingredient list is very simple and therefore it is crucial to use high quality ingredients to ensure the best taste possible. For example, if it is in the summer months, use fresh berries such as raspberries or blueberries.

A popular version of this recipe is Strawberry Panna Cotta. In this version, strawberries are blended with milk and cream to make a thin smoothie, then strained through a very fine sieve. It is important not to skimp on the sieving as it ensures a smooth silky texure. Allow to set, then serve.

Biscotti

Biscotti is another item that is synonymous with Italian cooking. Biscotti are a twice baked, crunchy cookie, which is traditionally made with almonds and pine nuts. In the original recipe there is no butter, milk, or oil used – as a result the dough is void of nearly any moisture. Biscotti are first baked in a loaf form then sliced and baked again, yielding a very dry and hard cookie. These special cookies can be served any time of day and are great for dipping in a coffee, latte or even in chocolate.

Making your own desserts at home allows for a greater level of creativity when trying new flavors such as pistachio, cherry, chocolate and anything else you might want to experiment with. It allows you to control the quality of the ingredients and adjust measurements and ratios to meet your specific palette.

Italians understand the importance of flavor and this is quite evident considering Italian food is the most favored international cuisine worldwide. Italians value fresh ingredients and as a result many of their recipes are simple, not requiring a long list of herbs and spices just to make a dish smell and taste great. Choosing to use organic and fresh fruits and vegetables is the first step to making your desserts taste far better than any store bought product. If your local grocer does not stock organics, try visiting a local food market where you will be sure to find fresh quality produce.