The Truth About ITALIAN SEASONING | How Italians Actually Use Herbs & Spices

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  • čas přidán 4. 06. 2024
  • You'll never find a product called "Italian Seasoning" in Italy, and for good reason! These blends of herbs and spices mix a ton of different ingredients together and ruin any real, Italian flavor your food might have.
    Less is more when it comes to seasoning, so today Eva is sharing some tips and tricks for using herbs and spices like an Italian. Stay tuned to learn when NOT to use basil, and other handy guidelines for Italian flavor!
    If you enjoy this video, please give it a thumbs-up and subscribe to the channel. It helps a lot!
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    00:00 What Is Italian Seasoning?
    01:31 How Italians Use Salt & Pepper
    04:52 How Italians Use Peperoncino
    06:53 How Italians Use Garlic
    08:11 How Italians Use Parsley
    10:05 How Italians Use Sage
    12:10 How Italians Use Rosemary & Thyme
    13:38 How Italians Use Marjoram
    15:27 How Italians Use Oregano
    17:42 How Italians Use Basil
    20:22 How to Season Your Food Like an Italian
    26:14 Pasta Grammarian in Action!
    #italianseasoning #italianfood #recipe
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    PAUL'S SODIUM ANALYSIS
    Eva says the normal serving is 80g of dry pasta. What happens when we cook it? Well, there are three things that can happen:
    1) We can take the pasta out of the water about two or three minutes early and put it into the sauce to do the final cooking and to cream it - mantecatura it - all together. When I do that, the pasta comes out of the pot at about 205g. (Note that I don't drain the pasta in a colander. I just scoop it out, and it's still quite wet when it goes into the sauce.) That means the 80g of dry pasta has absorbed 125g of salty water. With pasta water that is 1% salt by weight, the pasta has absorbed about 1.25g of salt. But each bit of the salt is made up, remember, of one atom of sodium and one atom of chlorine. The atomic weight of sodium is about 23 atomic mass units (amu), and the atomic weight of chlorine is about 35.5 amu, so by weight there is a lot more chlorine than sodium in your salt. For every gram of salt in your pasta, there is just under 0.4g, or about 390 milligrams (mg), of sodium. That means your serving of pasta will have about 488mg of sodium before it goes into the sauce. Compared to a lot of other stuff you can eat, that's pretty low. If you finish your pasta in a tomato sauce made from canned tomatoes, you'd add about 140mg of salt per serving from the tomatoes. So except for any other salt you add, your finished serving of pasta with tomato sauce will have about 608mg of sodium.
    2) We can cook the pasta al dente, as we would for a pesto, for example. When I do that, the pasta comes out of the pot at about 235g. This means al dente pasta has picked up 155g of salty water, 604mg of which is sodium. So other than any salt added to the pesto, a serving of al dente pasta with pesto will have around 600mg of sodium.
    3) We can overcook the pasta into a disgusting slop pile (that is, we can make a mappazzone). When I wasted some perfectly good pasta to test this, it came out of the pot at 264g. The 80g of dry pasta absorbed 184g of salty water, of which a whopping 718mg was sodium. If you add this slop to a sauce made with canned tomatoes you end up with 858mg of sodium total per serving. So properly prepared pasta will have a bit over 600mg of sodium per serving. If you overcook your pasta this figure goes up to perhaps 860mg of sodium per serving or even higher.
    Compare this to a serving of
    Chef Boy-ar-dee mini ravioli: 1,000mg of sodium
    Nalley's chili: 1,130mg of sodium
    A cup of milk: 125mg of sodium
    An English muffin: 250mg
    The normal baker's percentage for salt in bread
    dough is about 2%, or about 780mg of sodium
    per 100g of dough, or about 3.2 ounces of baked
    bread.
    We have to conclude that home cooked dry pasta has a LOT less sodium in it than almost any prepared food that you'll find.

Komentáře • 872

  • @alicetwain
    @alicetwain Před rokem +221

    Eva probably uses pepper even less often than most Italians because of the fact that in Calabria chilli pepper is very commonly present in a lot of dishes, and if you use one you don't use the other, generally speaking. One thing that maybe Eva is not mentioning is that the use of herbs is pretty regional. Sage is a very important flavor for Tuscan cuisine (and they also make fried sage leaves!), but it's far less important in other cuisines. Also, herbs use is seasonal. Basil is always used fresh in summer. In winter you don't usually use basil because dried basil is honestly vile.

    • @lipedax
      @lipedax Před rokem +8

      So if you are doing a Marguerita pizza in winter time, you don't use any herb ?
      (Not asking to be rude or anything, I'm Brazilian from Portuguese and Italian descend and want to understand the reasoning behind Italian cuisine).

    • @aris1956
      @aris1956 Před rokem +5

      Ma qui Eva l’ha detto che per quanto riguarda le spezie è anche una questione regionale (così come anche per altre cose e anche per quanto riguarda la cucina in generale). In una regione si mette magari di più una determinata spezia che da un’altra parte non si mette proprio e viceversa.

    • @SheaSF
      @SheaSF Před rokem +5

      @@lipedax It's spring in the U.S. and I just bought some fresh basil. Went to look at the package. It's from Columbia (was sure it was going to be Brazil). 😁

    • @alicetwain
      @alicetwain Před rokem

      @@aris1956 sì, ma l'ha detto più avanti.

    • @fistikita
      @fistikita Před rokem +6

      @@SheaSF Columbia? You meant Colombia for sure, the country.

  • @jonathanrio6587
    @jonathanrio6587 Před rokem +41

    Eva's reaction to "Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme" made this entire video worth it!

    • @sooz9433
      @sooz9433 Před rokem +1

      Yes😂

    • @robertpickwoad8512
      @robertpickwoad8512 Před rokem +4

      Sounds like a great song title!

    • @Queque2524
      @Queque2524 Před rokem

      @@robertpickwoad8512 Have you been to Scarborough Fair you find a multitude of parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Mostly between the salt water and the sea strands.

  • @XMarkxyz
    @XMarkxyz Před rokem +72

    For garlic the best way to say it is that we Italians use garlic a lot but not a lot of garlic, meaning we use it in many dishes (but by all means not everywhere and for sure not on delicate stuff) but just a little you can even take it away after it gave its flavour/aroma

    • @PastaGrammar
      @PastaGrammar  Před rokem +17

      That’s the perfect way to put it!

    • @annother3350
      @annother3350 Před rokem +1

      What about Alio e olio?!

    • @casomai
      @casomai Před rokem +5

      ​@@annother3350 Only whit this recipe. Aglio. Not alio.

    • @veronicat.6654
      @veronicat.6654 Před rokem +3

      ​@@annother3350 When I cook Aglio e Olio pasta, I put max. 2 gloves of garlic not one more, you just need the taste of garlic so you then take it out. And a good olive oil that you don't have to overcook.

    • @annother3350
      @annother3350 Před rokem +3

      @@veronicat.6654 I'm sure most people use more garlic than that my friend

  • @grenny_1293
    @grenny_1293 Před rokem +27

    As peperoncino is "mandatory" for calabresi, aglio/garlic is "mandatory" for piemontesi. As a piemontese myself i strongly suggest everyong to try a sauce made by garlic and parsley on fish, fresh cheese and onestly anything. The next day you would smell like you're a vampire slayer and your coworker will hate you but it's worth it. I promise 😂

  • @sevenandthelittlestmew
    @sevenandthelittlestmew Před rokem +82

    Just an FYI, in Texas, we have a real serious problem with wild boar overpopulation. People here do hunt them, and I don’t believe there are limits (Texas hunters, correct me if I’m wrong). You are always welcome to head this way to give Harper a taste, as I’m sure chefs here would enjoy learning new ways to cook with their meat.

    • @riccardodotto84
      @riccardodotto84 Před rokem +32

      Ciao from Italy,i'm from Friuli region(northeast of Italy) and we have many wild boars around woods,so we iften eat this kind of meat but before cook it needs the"MARINATURA" so we let the meat in a mix of red wine,red onions,sage and rosmary(somethimes blackpepper grains and lemon zest)for almost 24 hours in the fridge 'cause low temperatures help the transfert processing of flavors from marinatura to the meat,then we cook for a long time the meat adding some good olive oil and all the marinatura....BUONISSIMO😋👍

    • @WinstonSmithGPT
      @WinstonSmithGPT Před rokem +7

      This would be a fantastic episode!!!

    • @toscadonna
      @toscadonna Před rokem +14

      I have 2 friends who run varmint killing businesses here in North Texas. Wild boars are eating the peanut and other crops here that they need to protect. I like wild boar, but lots of people don’t like it. It doesn’t taste like the sick, corn fed hogs in the grocery stores. It’s red meat and very robust.

    • @michelem9341
      @michelem9341 Před rokem +7

      Arizona Javelina is a scourge in that state.

    • @Hastdupech8509
      @Hastdupech8509 Před rokem +14

      Wild boar ragù pappardelle for anyone in TX then

  • @biendereviere
    @biendereviere Před rokem +41

    That’s basically the same as “herbs de Provence” from France but honestly I never buy herb/spice blends unless I can get them from specialty shops… I get my Asian spices at an Asian shop, I grow my own basil/oregano/thyme/rosemary 😍

    • @annother3350
      @annother3350 Před rokem +2

      Yes, in the UK decades ago people used those spice blends much more but not so much nowadays.

    • @jpp7783
      @jpp7783 Před rokem +4

      Yes, and Curry”, which is really just a lazy catch-all blend for people who haven’t been taught how to use Indian spices

    • @annother3350
      @annother3350 Před rokem +6

      @@jpp7783 not really. Curry powder is just a UK variation of Garam Massala and has developed lots of genuine uses over the decades such as its important role in Katsu Curry to name but one popular dish.

  • @leschab
    @leschab Před rokem +5

    I listen to every word. Learning to make food more delicious is fun. Eva is one of the most interesting people on the internet.

  • @italiano120
    @italiano120 Před rokem +11

    In Tuscany we use rosmary when roasting a fish.
    Thyme is put when sauteing mushrooms.
    Sage is also use when roasting chicken, rabbit and with meat in general.

    • @MondoCulto
      @MondoCulto Před rokem

      Sage is used also with fish in Tuscany. in livorno the sage is put together with the carrot, celery and onion in the sauce of the cacciucco

  • @sparklemotion8377
    @sparklemotion8377 Před rokem +66

    This was very interesting and informative.
    As a Moroccan I abide by the rule 'less is more'.
    Just because I have a cupboard full of spices doesn't mean I have to use everything every time all at once.
    But you'll hate me when you see my herb garden is mostly decoration😳

    • @TheShows247
      @TheShows247 Před rokem +1

      Coriander+ Cayenne ❤❤

    • @sparklemotion8377
      @sparklemotion8377 Před rokem +1

      @no no In my case it's coriander + black pepper 😁

    • @nooneyouknowhere6148
      @nooneyouknowhere6148 Před rokem +1

      In texas it is cilantro and jalapeño

    • @sparklemotion8377
      @sparklemotion8377 Před rokem +3

      @no one you know here The Spaniards brought cilantro from Latin America. Pico de gallo is a staple in the Mediterranean kitchen. Of course, it's called something else

    • @indianhistorybuff
      @indianhistorybuff Před rokem +6

      Haha as Indians we put almost all the spices in everything 😂

  • @oliverbutler4069
    @oliverbutler4069 Před rokem +26

    I think the presence of garlic in this video does speak about the Italian perspective on garlic.
    It’s seen as a herb in Italy, just an additional source of flavour, whereas elsewhere it’s sometimes considered as a vegetable that you use like onions, to be a base for a dish.

    • @Minerva-fp1zx
      @Minerva-fp1zx Před rokem +8

      And they're seldom used together almost never actually.

    • @liamsmith4018
      @liamsmith4018 Před rokem +1

      @@Minerva-fp1zx garlic and onions?

    • @suzie_lovescats
      @suzie_lovescats Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@liamsmith4018Garlic 🧄 and onions 🧅 is amazing 🤩

  • @irenedempsey3361
    @irenedempsey3361 Před 5 měsíci +3

    I love these videos because my late grandparents were from conflenti and Consenza, and it gives me insight to the Calabresa people. I identify with this food, because I grew up in a city that was probably 50% Italian immigrants, and of course my mom. Next year I want to go to southern Italy and meet my relatives. Also working hard to learn the language. Thanks again for great videos.😎

  • @SheaSF
    @SheaSF Před rokem +53

    This is exactly the kind of video people (like me) who are discovering how to cook need. My mother was an excellent baker, so I understand the order and wet and dry and proofing yeast. But learning to understand spices and what doesn't go with what isn't something you can learn anywhere (at least people don't talk about it with such clarity). Thank you.

    • @jpp7783
      @jpp7783 Před rokem +2

      Yes! Too much cooking instruction is about following precise rules. But cooking isn’t robotic. We need to learn how to taste, what goes with what and why or why not.

    • @mala3isity
      @mala3isity Před rokem

      bkc-od-media.vmhost.psu.edu/documents/HO_PE_foodherbspicepairing.pdf

  • @wickedcabinboy
    @wickedcabinboy Před rokem +43

    I have to say that Eva changed the way I cooked pasta. I was told that the salt increased the boiling point of the water and that's why you added a little. This may be true, but pasta doesn't have to boil to cook so there must be another reason. When I saw how much she added to the water and I tried that myself. The pasta tasted so much better, it was amazing. Thanks.

    • @3-methylindole730
      @3-methylindole730 Před rokem +8

      Good rule of thumb is that the water shall taste like sea water, very salty. I would say there are few exceptions to that, for instance dishes with rather salty sauces like carbonara, which already is salty due to the ingredients, and then you’d need less sat for the pasta water.

    • @deborahgardner9489
      @deborahgardner9489 Před 10 měsíci +3

      An Italian once told me to salt the water “come il mare” (like the sea).

    • @francescacasini4694
      @francescacasini4694 Před 10 měsíci +2

      It's enough to wait for the water to boil before adding salt 😉 It Is absolutely true that It will take longer for already salted water to boil!

    • @wickedcabinboy
      @wickedcabinboy Před 10 měsíci +1

      @@francescacasini4694 - quite possibly so, but I don't time that. So I don't know that the time difference is significant.

    • @margaretleehightower3073
      @margaretleehightower3073 Před 9 měsíci +2

      It is Absolutely Amazing to listen and watch her cook. She is a walking encyclopedia…hope she always keeps teaching Us..Much Gratitude Eva 💜

  • @martinparamus2412
    @martinparamus2412 Před rokem +12

    I'd just returned back to my country (Uruguay) after living in The States for 46 years. I'm setting up a restaurant with pasta included in the menu beside Calzones, Strombolis, NY style pizza, Foccasia, and Florence Sando Schiacciata. I've saved all your videos. Great tips. Thank you. Keep the good work.

    • @vs-hk9kc
      @vs-hk9kc Před rokem +1

      Focaccia! Its great news, just make sure your spellings are right on the menu - as an italian abroad im always skeptical when words arent right kn the menu.

    • @sadman4750
      @sadman4750 Před rokem

      donde queda? yo también soy uruguayo y me interesa

  • @Sonex1542
    @Sonex1542 Před rokem +2

    Her voice and accent is like a musical instrument. Love it.

  • @videovedo36
    @videovedo36 Před rokem +39

    Not often but we also use mint! For example it is my go to herb for zucchini. And what about fennel, both seeds and green leaves are used in our cuisine (I love fennel seeds with pumpkin). As always it's a matter of good pairings and regional (or family) taste and habit. In the winter my tomato sauce is mostly with dried origano, with basil in the summertime but I occasionally like it even with rosemary. Surely what we never ever do is to put all herbs together as in those "Italian seasonings".

    • @sevenandthelittlestmew
      @sevenandthelittlestmew Před rokem +5

      My mother used to make a salad with fennel stalks and fronds. It was so light and sweet and summery, with olive oil, salt, pepper and a little cheese. I should find her recipe and make that again.

    • @videovedo36
      @videovedo36 Před rokem +4

      @@sevenandthelittlestmew make it with fennel, orange, oil, salt and maybe a bit of balsamic vinegar...a classic 👍

    • @carriemartinez2933
      @carriemartinez2933 Před rokem +2

      I make something similar, but I make a vinaigrette with blood orange infused olive oil and Strawberry balsamic vinegar fr a specialty shop, and it's just lovely!!

    • @markantony3875
      @markantony3875 Před rokem +2

      I like to add some fresh mint when I make trippa al sugo (tripe in tomato sauce).

    • @videovedo36
      @videovedo36 Před rokem +1

      @@markantony3875 never had trippa, even before becoming a vegetarian and despite being Roman myself 😅, but I guess mint is a good idea, maybe it smoothes the strong flavor of tripe with freshness (?)

  • @Edward92546
    @Edward92546 Před rokem +17

    Another excellent video. The aroma of basil instantly reminds me of my Calabrian grandmother who grew copious amounts in her garden. One priceless moment in this video was when Harper called Eva the salt and she did a quick raise of her eyebrows. Cracked me up. Pasta Grammar has to be the best Italian cooking show ever.

  • @ResoluteRonin
    @ResoluteRonin Před 6 měsíci +1

    In my cooking studies I have concluded that authentic Italian cooking is the work of genius!

  • @katrinlausch3078
    @katrinlausch3078 Před rokem +9

    Loving sage in saltimbocca or Fegato alla salvia (veal liver with sage) and just pan roasted veggies. Great dishes IMO

  • @frafrafrafrafra
    @frafrafrafrafra Před rokem +6

    Da Calabrese mi aspettavo che Eva citasse la polvere di peperoni cruschi, da noi in provincia di Cosenza si usa quasi ovunque.
    Video fenomenale come sempre!

    • @laurar.durban3696
      @laurar.durban3696 Před rokem +2

      Il video è per gli americani che usano qualsiasi aroma alla "valà-che-vai-bene" e certe raffinatezze gli complicherebbero solo la vita. 😁

  • @erisisthename
    @erisisthename Před rokem +6

    I had no idea that you’re supposed to take out the germ of a garlic clove. Didn’t even know there was such a thing. That explains so much! lol. Thanks, Eva!

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi Před rokem +5

      I only remove it when it's green and sprouted, I'm told that's when it becomes bitter
      though if you let it keep growing, you get 'garlic chives' which are quite tasty.

    • @tizioincognito5731
      @tizioincognito5731 Před rokem

      Just a myth.
      Removing the germ from a garlic clove does absolute nothing.

  • @MrMikkyn
    @MrMikkyn Před rokem +6

    Love this video. I've got experience learning regional Italian recipes from Vincenzo's Plate, Giallo Zafferano, Pastagrammar, Pasta Grannies, Chef in Camicia, and some other channels. What I've learnt is what spices and herbs are used in which situation.
    - Juniper berries go with pork and fennel. Its used in white ragu. I've also seen it in wild boar recipes.
    - Rosemary. I've seen this in pasta e fagioli.
    - Horseradish. I've only seen this in recipes from Basilicata. They grate horseradish on pasta, not sure which dishes in particular. Also, a dish called rafanata has horseradish in it. Rafanata is some kind of frittata situation, not sure how to describe it.
    - Fennel seeds. These also go in white ragu, and in pork sausage
    - Oregano, I rarely see for some reason. The dried variety is used on pizza recipes.
    - Basil. This is used in caprese salad; pesto alla genovese; margherita pizza; pasta alla nerano. Basil is almost always paired with tomatoes. Always in tomato sugo.
    - Thyme, always in mushroom recipes with tagliatelle; or sometimes is seen in a pumpkin risotto, risotto alla zucca.
    - Pepper is generously used in cacio e pepe, also used in Roman classic Carbonara..
    - Garlic is used in aglio e olio. Generally, most recipes take out the garlic after sauteiing in the skin, "in camicia"
    - Mint. I've seen this only in Culurgiones - a Sardinian dumpling/ravioli situation stuffed with saffron, mint, mashed potatoes and sardinian pecorino (pecorino sardo)
    - Cocoa powder, used in tiramisu & torta caprese. The latter is a flourless cake.
    - Lemon zest, used in gremolata
    - Anchovy, used in pasta c'anciova. I learnt that one from Eva yay
    - Saffron. This is used in culurgiones from Sardinia.
    - Sage, can be fried in a batter to make Italian sage fritters. It's also used in burnt butter and sage sauce which is a typical ravioli sauce. Also used in Tajarin Burro e Salvia.
    - Nutmeg, this is used in bechamel/white sauce.
    - Bay leaf, I've seen this in minestrone in Gennaro's recipe, not sure what else its used for.
    - Cinnamon, used in cjarsons. I've never tried this dish, but I would like to one day. A friulian dumpling situation that has smoked ricotta, cinnamon, cocoa. Depending on the nonna making it, it has variations.
    - Peperone crusco. Used in dishes from Basilicata. I've never seen it in person before, but would like to try it.
    - Chilli, used in aglio e olio. Calabrian chillies used in calabrian chilli paste. Don't know that many regional Italian chilli dishes.
    - Rocket/Arugula. This is used in Orecchiette alla Foggiana.
    - Parsley. This is used in pasta allo scammaro, I learnt that from Eva. Also used in aglio e oglio. Used in Canaderli/Knödle, which also has nutmeg in it.
    - Poppy seeds: used for casunziei. A beetroot stuffed pasta rom Veneto.
    - Asafoetida, this is used in medieval cuisine from Apicius' cookbook. Haven't seen modern recipes with this in it.
    - There are some obscure herbs that also get used. Like in foraged recipes that require "mille erbe", a thousand herbs. I've never tried a mille erbe recipe.
    - Paprika. I have seen this in a dish called pasta panna acida e paprika. I'm not sure how traditional it is though. No other Italian recipes I have seen use sour cream, ever.
    Italian Herbs and Spices. I wonder who invented that. Used a lot in American Italian cuisine. I also see it sold in grocery stores in Australia, so I guess its popular here too.

  • @captainufo4587
    @captainufo4587 Před rokem +5

    Speaking of parsley, a Lombard classic: ris e erborin (rice and parlsey soup). A good, savory beef or vegetable stock (chicken is good too, if you're into it), idelly rich in flavor but not too rich in color; add a bit of butter whent it starts to boil, then add and cook rice in it at a gentle simmer; add a sizable amount of parsley halfway through cooking (not too early otherwise the cooking will extract some bitterness out of it). You can use stems too (in this case, add them rigth away, they need some boiling to tenderize). It's not a risotto, so it should remain a bit soupy at the end (1 liter of stock for 100 grams of rice is a good ratio). Optional grated Parmigiano on top when you serve it.
    Classic wintery poor rural dish for dinners, with some comfort food qualities; also quite good when your stomach is upset.

  • @stevenrldenault7451
    @stevenrldenault7451 Před 6 měsíci +2

    Totally enjoyed this video, so helpful in understanding the secret of just using the right herbs in small quantities. I think our media chefs have lead us all in the wrong direction trying to add every spice used in a cuisine in every dish. Thank you Eva! Steve (67 yrs) Manitoba

  • @jeanneamato8278
    @jeanneamato8278 Před rokem +5

    Always learn from these two when we need to. Their humor is just the seasoning for their show.

  • @chrismazz75
    @chrismazz75 Před rokem +26

    ❤❤❤ One seasoning I love that’s not as popular outside of baked goods is nutmeg, but fresh grated from the nut. I love it in dishes with greens, in a bechamel with cheese, even just grated on a glass of milk.

    • @spoonierv1543
      @spoonierv1543 Před rokem +2

      Yeah if it has cream, even if it is a savory, I always add a little nutmeg.

    • @Nighthawk799
      @Nighthawk799 Před rokem +1

      I put nutmeg in many recipies, cicken broth too.

    • @d_richter
      @d_richter Před rokem +3

      Are you a fan of John Townsend, too?

    • @Nighthawk799
      @Nighthawk799 Před rokem

      @@d_richter ???????

    • @d_richter
      @d_richter Před rokem +1

      @danielabiscaro2761 John Townsend is another CZcamsr who does 18th century American cooking. He absolutely LOVES nutmeg!

  • @alessandravatalachis525
    @alessandravatalachis525 Před 6 měsíci +1

    Vi ho scoperto da poco e sto recuperando guardando tantissimi video!!! Trovo Eva una donna fantastica, un'ottima cuoca e un'insegnante perfetta. E poi,capisco perfettamente il suo inglese 😂😂

  • @concernedonlooker
    @concernedonlooker Před rokem +30

    After finding out I have a corn allergy, resulting in being forced to make almost everything from scratch due to corns pervasiveness in processed foods, I also came to realize the ubiquity of flavor enhancers in food packages.
    Without those chemicals being dumped into the food we consume, we need to increase the natural flavors by utilizing those ingredients in increased quantities because often times American recipes are dependent upon utilizing ingredients that feature those chemicals.
    But when you extricate those from your choices, you become much more dependent upon the flavors you bring to the party.
    And, as Eva's simple tomato sauce demonstrates, a proper balance of simple ingredients provides a fresher flavor that just can't be purchased in a bottle.
    This video also demonstrates the weakness of much of the American diet's willingness to just toss in flavors, almost at random, without quite having an understanding of why those flavors either should or should not be used.

    • @Skenjin
      @Skenjin Před rokem +1

      To your last point though, for many of us if there isn't a well established recipe to balance out those flavors for us, the amount of people who would only ever add some salt and pepper and then end up eating bland food is staggering. In those cases it is actually better that they add a bit of "something" to spruce it up because in many cases that something is better than nothing.

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi Před rokem +1

      people lived exclusively and extensively on corn for thousands of years without allergies appearing. Blame the overly sterile environments we're raised in. also most of that corn that's added is in the form of starch, which you can't be allergic to. no protein in it.
      also all food is 100% chemicals. I think you don't know what chemicals are.

    • @mythicsagefire
      @mythicsagefire Před rokem +2

      @@KairuHakubi - you can be allergic to the protein and/or the sugar of a product (like lactose or casein). The fat is safe if it has been processed thoroughly. This is why someone who has an anaphylactic allergy should not eat something cooked in the fat of their allergen (like peanut oil).
      Unfortunately corn has replaced many sources of regular natural food thanks to the American farmers subsidy program. So allergies have increased because of the unnatural overuse of chemicals in our food.

    • @KairuHakubi
      @KairuHakubi Před rokem

      @@mythicsagefire casein is a protein. nobody is allergic to lactose, they have _lactose intolerance_ because they lack an enzyme to break it down, and it gives them gas. there is a difference.
      peanut oil is 100% fat, there's no protein in it, and it's safe for people with peanut allergies to eat. Unless it's that cloudy hippie peanut oil that has a lot of pureed peanut in it.
      basically nothing you're saying is true, and you should really stop.

    • @concernedonlooker
      @concernedonlooker Před rokem +2

      @@KairuHakubi This is why I don't often get into discussions on the internet, there are too many people that think they know something for absolute certain while simultaneously demonstrating absolute ignorance.

  • @MicheleAngeliniTenor
    @MicheleAngeliniTenor Před rokem +4

    Brava Eva! To add one thought: it seems to me, in my experience, that most of the unnecessary additions to specific Italian dishes (cream, butter, parsley, garlic, pepper, oregano) actually comes from French cuisine. Those are all fundamental ingredients in French cooking and the American diet is very heavily influenced by French-styled cooking--probably from legendary chefs like Julia Child and Jacques Pepin and Wolfgang Puck. There is no question in my mind that French chefs sought to "elevate" the rustic style of Italian cooking. People throw parsley, for example, on every pasta dish (including sometimes pasta al forno!!) to "give it color" and because it "looks fancy." It has nothing to do with flavor or necessity, but has just become a visual element that is expected, also probably from the food design and photography fields. Of course, I am with Eva that many of these added ingredients don't actually contribute anything to do the dish...but I think this helps explain why the phenomenon exists. To me, it seems a simple difference between French cooking, which is focused on technique and appearance, and Italian cooking, which is rustic in nature and seeks to avoid competing flavors.

  • @rosannapizza6402
    @rosannapizza6402 Před rokem +14

    Great episode! One correction: Wild oregano grows all over the south and wild rosemary too. In our province (Salerno) deep in the mountains, people go hunting and gathering the wild oregano and wild asparagus, manuzzi etc. and it is AMAZING> Oregano here in the US is NOT the same. In fact, Wild Italian oregano is more like marjoram fyi.

    • @ghw7192
      @ghw7192 Před rokem +1

      I buy Mexican oregano because it has a more pronounced flavor than US grown.

    • @letsgomets002
      @letsgomets002 Před rokem +1

      ​@@ghw7192 greek and Italian oregano is good

    • @patricklinkous
      @patricklinkous Před 8 měsíci

      ​@@ghw7192When you see "Mexican Oregano" in a grocery store it is actually to differentiate from the original Greek Oregano. It's a completely different plant that has a similar taste to Old World oregano.

  • @barbaramiller349
    @barbaramiller349 Před rokem +15

    This was awesome! I knew from watching many of your videos that “Italian Seasoning “ was way different than what I thought it was. It has totally changed the way I cook certain foods. The best and biggest thing is to salt my pasta water! I always salted it, but not enough to matter. Now I make it salty and it makes pasta taste so much better!!! I will definitely remember these additional tips!

  • @thinlizzy9032
    @thinlizzy9032 Před rokem +4

    i gotta say thanks to learning about italian cuisine from actual italians helped me appreciate the simplicity of an amazing dish that doesn't need 10 or more herbs and spices. using fewer kinds of seasonings in a dish does not mean its under seasoned. but i have a hunch that americans use way more herbs and spices in an italian dish because the quality of foods aren't the same as what you might find in italy. for example our tomatoes are kinda bland so they need the extra help with additional herbs and spices.

  • @arlenerodriguez4314
    @arlenerodriguez4314 Před rokem +5

    I'm really just learning how to cook. I mean "really cook". Learning how to use herbs, season food properly, how to buy meats, and so on. And, all types of foods. Spanish, Italian, Asian., etc. So, I esp appreciate videos like this. It is so super helpful and informative. So many of your vids have helped me. Eva you are pretty DAMN AWESOME!! Thank you sooo much. Please keep 'em coming. Arlene

  • @fistikita
    @fistikita Před rokem +12

    Loved this episode, great info. Eva is a superb cook and Harper should consider a singing career undoubtedly the best rendition of Scarborough Fair ever!

  • @ccrow9147
    @ccrow9147 Před rokem +13

    OMG! I absolutely can’t get enough of you two. Brilliant information. Thank you for taking the time.

  • @michelleharkness7549
    @michelleharkness7549 Před rokem +11

    BTW- for the record: it is wonderful that you both are sharing your ideas about how to season cooked food and as well the customs of cooking from the many exciting places you both have visited!!!

  • @Kposey88
    @Kposey88 Před rokem

    Very informative. Thank you!

  • @cookinthekitchen
    @cookinthekitchen Před rokem

    Thank you for being my guide to Italian cuisine

  • @davidlittle6621
    @davidlittle6621 Před rokem +1

    Love the passion for cooking you have!

  • @cisium1184
    @cisium1184 Před rokem +4

    I love videos like this. It's like a little cooking class.

  • @marianos5181
    @marianos5181 Před rokem +4

    Thank you, finally someone speaks about this!!!!!

  • @stauffap
    @stauffap Před rokem +2

    Beautiful dishes! This channel really is a gem!

  • @roseconklin5392
    @roseconklin5392 Před rokem +6

    Thank you Eva and Harper! Great conversation regarding Italian seasoning.

  • @rpowling
    @rpowling Před rokem +3

    I love all your episodes! I always learn something, and it’s fun spending some time with you guys ❤thank you

  • @tatisakura81
    @tatisakura81 Před rokem +17

    My family use marjoram in a typical Sudtirol (Austrian/Germany origin) dish: Leberknoedel or like we say in italian, Canederli di fegato (liver dumpling). Marjoram lessen the strong and bitter taste of the liver.
    Someday I would like to see Eva try her hand at some dishes from far northern Italy, thus leaving her comfort zone, no offense of course.

    • @michaelsmith7902
      @michaelsmith7902 Před rokem +2

      Or Leberspätzle swimming in chicken broth... Swabian ambrosia!

    • @canisinumbra
      @canisinumbra Před rokem

      You took it from Germany. Thank you

    • @DeltaAssaultGaming
      @DeltaAssaultGaming Před rokem

      Maybe just don’t eat liver

    • @cliftonmcnalley8469
      @cliftonmcnalley8469 Před rokem

      My Mom is German and somehow managed to buy "Italian seasoning" that contained marjoram - which she loves. Took me several years for me to figure out marjoram seems to be a bit on the poisonous side for me - no other herb causes such a reaction. Other than Asian 5 spice and poultry seasoning for Thanksgiving, I have never bought a spice mixture. I like to control my own spicing.

    • @canisinumbra
      @canisinumbra Před rokem

      @@cliftonmcnalley8469 We don’t have „Italian seasoning“ in Germany.

  • @sloopy5191
    @sloopy5191 Před rokem

    I learned something new today - so this was a very good day!

  • @bettycesky4947
    @bettycesky4947 Před 10 měsíci

    So happy I found you two❤
    My grandparents were from Calabria.

  • @chsckldy
    @chsckldy Před rokem

    Thank You for educating us!

  • @kyrie0033
    @kyrie0033 Před rokem

    Meraviglioso video, Eva!!! Sei un portento!

  • @djjd2011
    @djjd2011 Před rokem

    Great episode, guys! Learned a lot and got 2 new recipes!

  • @BOOMER751
    @BOOMER751 Před rokem

    So useful as I'm growing a spice garden! I really adore this channel and Eva cracks me up everytime ❤😅

  • @VerhoevenSimon
    @VerhoevenSimon Před rokem

    I loved the spice elaboration, and I loved the Italian name for Shakshuka

  • @carhoness78
    @carhoness78 Před rokem +2

    This is promising to be one of the most useful videos I've ever seen, so thank you!! 😊

  • @gloriakorsgen134
    @gloriakorsgen134 Před rokem +2

    What a great episode. I learn so much from you guys. Eggs in Purgatory is one of my favorite dishes. Thank you!!!

  • @alleymdevita
    @alleymdevita Před rokem

    Thank you so very much for your videos, especially this one. I have learned so much about cooking Italian meals.

  • @giraffesinc.2193
    @giraffesinc.2193 Před rokem

    Ooooh, I love the Italian version of Shakshuka and am certainly going to make it! Thank you both for another wonderful (and extremely informative) video!

  • @jameshoey69
    @jameshoey69 Před rokem +2

    Wow. As an avid learner of different cuisines, this makes so much sense when explained well like Eva does

  • @elynng-c1508
    @elynng-c1508 Před rokem +5

    I am Sicilian but Calabrese are not the only ones that eat spicy food. My family puts peperoncino everywhere. BTW, my father is from Sciacca and my mother from Comiso in the Ragusa region. We cannot live without Peperoncino! ❤

  • @sooz9433
    @sooz9433 Před rokem

    What a delight this video has been! I learned so many things I didn't know before..😮 Thank you Eva, thank you Harper! Love from Missouri to you both. ❤️

  • @stevenholton438
    @stevenholton438 Před rokem

    Excellent as usual, thanks Eva! (and 'arpere!)

  • @Timoteo3858
    @Timoteo3858 Před rokem +3

    Ava,
    Your idea that crafting the perfect dish rely on withholding spices that compete and overpower, is powerful and proper.
    Using a spice on a dish, the flavor must enhance and complement the flavor of basic ingredients much like a portrait artist might highlight a subject with subtle flourishes and color shading to enhance the portrait.
    That English-speaking is a second language has not hindered your teaching us proper cooking techniques that apply worldwide. Your dialect beautifully enhances our retention and enjoyment factor, encouraging us to watch your presentation completely.
    Your husband is blessed and your parents proud to have you in their world.
    Respectfully submitted,
    Timo

    • @PastaGrammar
      @PastaGrammar  Před rokem

      Thank you! ❤️

    • @Timoteo3858
      @Timoteo3858 Před rokem

      EVA,
      My most humble apologies for misrepresenting the spelling of your name.
      I have an Ava in my family and she wears her intelligence prominently, like yourself. My advanced years allows my ears to hear them in a similar fashion.
      Again deepest apologies!
      Timo

  • @rosebuster
    @rosebuster Před rokem +8

    Majeram is the best spice. We use it a lot in Polish cuisine. It makes various soups and stews we have absolutely delicious.

  • @cynthiamaddalunociancutti2586

    I agree Basil is my favorite! That smell brings back so many memories of Italy and my Nonna ❤

  • @jasonwright5799
    @jasonwright5799 Před rokem

    I’ve been binging y’all’s (from Texas) content for a while now and I love it! But this episode was so much fun and I just had to say so! I really enjoyed how you presented your recipes & actual cooking techniques. Bravi 🥂

  • @lizcrilley195
    @lizcrilley195 Před 8 měsíci

    We had the egg dish on Fridays during Lent. Thanks for bringing this back.

  • @orffrocks5667
    @orffrocks5667 Před rokem

    How fun! Cute, sweet and informative, even for an experienced cook!

  • @sharendonnelly7770
    @sharendonnelly7770 Před rokem

    This video is exactly why I love this channel, so helpful, instructive, and authentic, plus Harper and Eva, of course.

    • @jackstrubbe7608
      @jackstrubbe7608 Před rokem

      And their nuances and dry sense of humor. Always a joy!

  • @mvmone1
    @mvmone1 Před 11 měsíci +1

    I love you guys. Thanks for sharing Eva's Calabrian cooking perspective. I also love that you try to include history throughout your videos. Also noticed the Texas Pete in the background...great stuff!

  • @peterdurnien9084
    @peterdurnien9084 Před rokem

    Very informative, I might eventually learn something.

  • @veronicagrave159
    @veronicagrave159 Před 10 měsíci

    This was super helpful!

  • @TalkToMe66
    @TalkToMe66 Před rokem +4

    What can I say - Perfetto!!! Pretty large and important things of italian seasoning put simply, but accurately and short to its place... Bravo🌿🌿🌿

  • @rockkevinrock
    @rockkevinrock Před rokem

    That swordfish recipe looks extraordinary, I must try that one!

  • @johnl610
    @johnl610 Před rokem

    It’s all about restraint in Italian cooking. Beautiful dishes guys! 😗🤌🏽

  • @ted1091
    @ted1091 Před 10 měsíci

    Sage and walnut pesto. The best. Absolutely love your videos

  • @bobskiba7181
    @bobskiba7181 Před rokem +1

    ...and sage always goes in Saltimbocca alla Romana, one of my favorite dishes that Eva's made.

  • @seanlodge6532
    @seanlodge6532 Před 9 měsíci

    What a fun video while being éducational. Waiting to reveal what the dish was going to be until the end is extremely clever! Bravo!

  • @naturexplorer
    @naturexplorer Před rokem

    I watch this channel for two reasons,,,, The food and Eva's hair,,,,... OMG! Love both!

  • @deoxyplasmic
    @deoxyplasmic Před rokem +1

    Yay! I'm happy to learn this.

  • @kokkinomalli
    @kokkinomalli Před 10 měsíci +1

    My grandmother is Abruzzese, and her ravioli recipe with spinach and ricotta uses pepper and nutmeg. A lot of my friends with families from the south think that's really weird, especially the nutmeg.

  • @aev9483
    @aev9483 Před rokem

    This was excellent!!

  • @laurakenney100
    @laurakenney100 Před rokem +1

    Wow! It looks like you found some beautiful swordfish in Az!! That's what I want for dinner now.
    Thanks for another great video. ❤

  • @AussieAngeS
    @AussieAngeS Před rokem

    Such wonderful information. The only seasonings my mother uses is salt, dried oregano, fresh parsley, fresh garlic, fresh onion and basil. Thank you Eva and Harper for this video as always.

  • @suzzettebridges4931
    @suzzettebridges4931 Před 10 měsíci

    Totally enjoying your videos

  • @2075vj
    @2075vj Před 6 měsíci

    I grow basil all year round now that I live in Florida. I love it!🌿

  • @forsenuff2011
    @forsenuff2011 Před 10 měsíci

    Going to Italy for the first time in August. My daughter has wedding business there and invites me along. Amalfi. Florence. Roma…. And back to Amalfi. You both have been such a blessing… I always try to be so mindful and respectful when I’m in another country… You too are like peanut butter and jelly… That of course is American style! Lol… thank you… I cannot wait… Eva you have taught me so much!

  • @bikerfry
    @bikerfry Před 4 měsíci +1

    I was a Sous Chef at a very prestigious global Hotel chain. When we boiled water for cooking we had a decree of using 1/4 cup of kosher salt for every gallon of water if the cooked ingredient (pasta, vegetable) was not going to be blanched. If blanched it would be 1/2 cup of salt per gallon. The theory I heard is that you are not trying cause the salt to be absorbed by the cooked ingredient, rather you were preventing the natural sodium in the ingredient from being leached out into the under salted water. 1/4 cup kosher salt is 39 grams, which is just over 1% over the weight of 1 gallon of water (3780 grams). This seems to agree with Eva's ratio.

  • @robertcase4675
    @robertcase4675 Před rokem

    CIAO Eva and Harper! Questi sono Rob e Nancy Case - del tuo corso di Italiano a Orvieto!!!! JUST NOW had the time to sit and watch this video and LOVED IT! We learned a LOT, for example, all about the paring of spices; how well you two are together as presenters, and how well you both are doing! Congratulazioni e ben fatto! We've subscribed and we'll be watching!!! Ciao!

  • @mauriceclemens3286
    @mauriceclemens3286 Před rokem

    I love this woman’s accent! ❤️❤️❤️

  • @littlemouse7066
    @littlemouse7066 Před rokem +3

    Italian cuisine is very different from region to region. she's calabrian and she's showing you calabrian cuisine. I'm from another region and for instance we use peperoncino very rarely and sometimes we use garlic in very moderate amount only to add a taste but many times we use onions instead of garlic also in moderate amount. I've never eaten anything with maggiorana and black pepper use is rare also. another thing to consider is that every family changes the traditional recipes according to their tastes or for health reasons nowadays for instance people rarely use bacon or lard in their dishes even if they are required by the traditional recipe.

  • @KairuHakubi
    @KairuHakubi Před rokem +2

    this reminds me of the fact that uh, in america we mostly use 'all-purpose flour' which is half (low-protein) cake flour and half (high-protein) bread flour.. but in some other countries, especially with less storage space or that really prioritize getting bread and noodles just right, they keep both kinds and they mix them in the appropriate ratios.

  • @hulahop5655
    @hulahop5655 Před rokem +1

    First thing I do in the morning after we've arrived in Trapani is visiting my favorite greengrocer's. And the thing I love about this place is adding "aromati" (basilico +prezzemolo) for free to every tiniest amount of tomatoes you get. Also, I consider Aglio Rosso di Nubia the best garlic in the world.

  • @TorBoy9
    @TorBoy9 Před rokem +2

    That was a really comprehensive use-case list of herbs, so thanks a lot. I usually use everything on everything. I need to be more nuanced.

  • @colleenloffredo7895
    @colleenloffredo7895 Před rokem

    Amazing dishes!!!👏

  • @vittoriagnecchi5783
    @vittoriagnecchi5783 Před rokem +2

    Another thing that I've noticed about American cooking is that they double down on the alliums.
    They will use garlic and onion for example.
    We do that too, in Italy, but not that often, and in very specific dishes, more isn't always better, as Eva mentioned.

  • @mikkileon6380
    @mikkileon6380 Před rokem +1

    I love to cook and live to cook. The only place I love to be more than my garden is in my kitchen. Now I’m a mature woman and I actually watch more CZcams than I do any other channel anywhere by far. I watch everything from cooking/gardening/furniture art and everything in between. Now Mexican cooking is what I’m best known for and what I’ve done more of throughout my life. Most people who know me really well know that I love to cook authentic Italian. And I love how Calabria is known for adding their special pepper to most everything lol. My third favorite foods to cook are a tie between Asian cooking and American comfort food influenced by countries from all over the world. What all this is leading to is that out of all my channels on CZcams, your channel is one of my very top favorites. Thank you so much for creating your channel exactly how you do, for the incredible and fun for us relationship between the two of you and the bonuses that come with that connection. The things you’re both passionate about plus your family and friends. I just flat out Love you guys and thank you very very much.

  • @163london
    @163london Před rokem +2

    Parsley and artichokes.:) Here in Campania we use parsley when we prepare 'carciofi in umido': stuffed baked artichokes. (And in 'caricofi alla romana', Roman-style artichokes as made in Rome.) And as Eva said, it's in all our local fish and seafood dishes.

  • @cheri-qo4sg
    @cheri-qo4sg Před rokem

    Bravo (Brava? non so)! Grazie molto che hai fatto questo video. Food tastes so much better when it's made with fresh ingredients! I have dried herbs, but I hardly ever use them. Thanks for getting the word out. 😊

  • @janeforever
    @janeforever Před rokem

    This was SO interesting! I love Italian food (but hubby not so much😢) & I learned a ton of information. Thank you so much❤

  • @ArchArturo
    @ArchArturo Před rokem +1

    I just started growing some Basil and Rosemary precisely to get better flavor on some dishes 😂. I really miss my old apartment back in Tepoztlan because the neighbors decided to make a communal her garden. It was such a good idea, though Hermosillo is a bit more harsher when it comes to weather.

  • @jayceperlmutter4317
    @jayceperlmutter4317 Před rokem +2

    Always so informative, thank you Eva! I'm interested to see no onions are used in your marinara sauce - I'll try that way next time! I saw Pecorino Toscano at my market - can you advise us about the different Pecorino cheeses? Thank you