Popular Dishes

Italian cuisine brings such wonder and joy to people across the globe. The creamy cheese and the unique sauces stand tall in any menu they’re a part of. It’s not just about the food, it’s about the overall experience. From the texture to the wide array of cheese options. The joy of sharing a pizza with friends is second to nothing. The risotto, and the spaghetti with meatballs all tie in together on a dinner table. Every dish is prepared with a lot of flavour and love. Italian food has found universal appeal and thrives on the simplest rule in life - simple aromatic ingredients and a lot of cheese are the recipe to success.

Italian cuisine is more than just food; it’s a cultural experience that’s rooted in family, community, tradition and passion. Italian cuisine is extremely easy to cook up however, for the same reasons, easy to mess up. The image of a nona cooking up a decadent homey meal is enough to get us all hungry. By using high-quality ingredients and making the most of the simplicity of flavours, Italian cooking celebrates its produce.

When you hear the term ‘Italian Cuisine’ the image of pasta and pizza is the first to pop up, however, it does extend far beyond this. In India, diners have embraced the Italian cuisine wholeheartedly. The cuisine has gotten a bit of an Indian embrace as they’ve introduced local ingredients to the Italian staples. This makes it more widespread and accessible. Across the globe, all cultures have left their hand print on Italian cuisine to make it fit their palette. Italian cuisine remains timeless and classic.

Italian cuisine boasts a legacy spanning thousands of years, woven tightly in the diverse regions of Italy. Each region has its unique culinary identity which is largely influenced by its geography, culture, and produce. The most essential ingredients for Italian cuisine would have to be - olive oil, tomatoes, and flour. Dairy also constitutes as a staple - with cheese, butter and milk being at the centre of all Italian masterpieces.

Traditional Italian cooking makes use of fresh ingredients and cooking techniques that are easy but high effort. Be it the classic ravioli from Northern Italy or the savoury lasagna of Southern Italy, every dish is unique and popular for it. The nature of the dish reflects the region it belongs to and promotes it perfectly. In Italy, wine making could be dated back several years. Wine accompanies most dishes for this reason and suits the Italian weather perfectly. Gelato is another blessing from Italy which makes great use of dairy, a perfect way to end a meal after a hot day under the Italian sun.

As is the case with any marriage, when Italian cuisine came into India, several ingredients crossed hands and found a new identity. The adaptation has made Italian cuisine more popular. It’s led to dishes like - masala pasta, and tandoori pizza, among others. Preparing Italian cuisine is relatively easy and affordable. This is perhaps why it’s been easy to spot the cuisine in both urban and rural areas.

Margherita pizza is the heart and soul of Italian cuisine, it’s a classic that fits the bill for people of all taste palettes. It originated in Naples and makes use of basic ingredients like - an aromatic marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and basil leaves. The crust is thin which adds to the texture of the pizza. The colour of the pizza represents the Italian flag. The Margherita pizza is named after the late queen and holds its essence due to its simplicity. The minimal ingredients and ease of making have made this a popular pizza.

A delightful pasta for those who like it creamy. The spaghetti carbonara is a cheesy treat which is made with pecorino cheese, eggs, pancetta and a drizzle of black pepper. The dish is extremely easy to make if you’ve crossed the hurdle of making well-cooked spaghetti. It’s a kitchen favourite and turns into a perfectly wholesome bowl. It can never have enough cheese so remember to get some grated on top and dive into the cheese excellence of the Italian cuisine.

Salute to Northern Italy for coming up with Risotto alla Milanese. It’s a cheesy rice dish that infuses saffron which gives it a distinct color. It’s often paired with braised veal to turn it into a filling meal. Its not a super easy dish to perfect. It requires a certain amount of patience and skill, the broth has to be made just right and the rice is slow cooked to bring it into a creamy consistently. The flavour is subtle and yet rich which makes this dish more of a treat than a casual meal.

Tiramisu is a layered dessert which is a popular for it’s use of coffee. It combines layers of coffee soaked biscuit and creamy mascarpone. A few layers of this is then dusted wth cocoa powder. A tiramisu translates to “pick me up”. The fine use of coffee also keep you awake after you’ve had a hearty meal. This dessert is a favourite among many, it leaves a lingering sweetness that’s hard to forget.

The Italian cuisine offers a plethora of dishes that cater to every palate. Other popular dishes would be lasagna, gnocchi, bruschetta among others. All of these are globally embraced by people because of how unique and easy to love they are.

Craving Italian food aren’t you? It can be overwhelming to decide where to indulge in a proper Italian meal. This is where an app like HOGR comes in. It’s food discovery made easy, it takes the “overwhelming” part away. On HOGR, you can discover the best Italian restaurants in your city which are suggested by foodies who’ve tried and tested it. On HOGR, you’ll find authentic reviews, videos of the most recommended dishes while also getting exclusive discounts and benefits.

HOGR is for the foodies who need a little helping hand when it comes to dining out or ordering in food delivery. We spend way too much time deciding what to eat in today’s world and this is the very problem HOGR is trying to solve. You’ll find fine dining restaurants, hidden gems, artisanal pizzerias and more on the app. Be it a casual meal or a craving that just doesn’t seem to go away, HOGR will lead you to your favorite meal or get it delivered to you. For your next food adventure, download HOGR.

Italian cuisine is relatively adaptable, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Italian cuisine does use wheat a lot so for those who are trying to avoid gluten, definitely check in with your cook. There are alternatives that exist today which will help you keep the FOMO out of the way. Cheese is extremely common in all Italian dishes so for those with a lactose intolerance, definitely send a note for your order.

Some dishes might include seafood, anchovies, or pork products like pancetta and prosciutto, which are not suitable for all dietary preferences. Italian chefs are usually accommodating, so don’t hesitate to ask for modifications to suit your needs and don’t miss out on this glorious cuisine.