DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF HOMEMADE ITALIAN SAUCES: PESTO, ARRABBIATA AND MORE

Welcome to EasyGusto, your online destination for authentic and rare Italian products! As a family business with a passion for quality cooking, we're excited to bring you our ultimate guide to homemade Italian sauces.

Whether you're a seasoned Italian food lover or a curious beginner, you'll find everything you need to master the art of traditional Italian sauces here. From making pesto to creating a spicy arrabbiata sauce, we'll reveal the secrets of Italy's most iconic flavors.

Genovese pesto: a timeless classic

Genovese pesto is undoubtedly one of the most famous and appreciated Italian sauces in the world. Originally from the Liguria region, this tasty preparation made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan and olive oil is a real delight.

The essential ingredients of pesto

To make authentic pesto, you will need the following:

• Fresh basil: the heart of this sauce, the basil must be of the best possible quality. Preferably choose Genovese basil, known for its intense flavor.
• Garlic: garlic brings a perfect note of intensity to your pesto. Use fresh, good quality pods.
• Pine nuts: these small seeds provide a creamy texture and delicate flavor to pesto. Avoid substitutes like cashews or almonds.
• Grated Parmesan: Parmesan is essential to give the pesto its characteristic cheese signature.
• Extra virgin olive oil: choose a high quality olive oil, preferably from Liguria, for an authentic flavor.
• Salt and pepper: to season and balance flavors.

The method of preparing pesto

Here are the steps to follow to make a genovese pesto worthy of the name:

1. Start by washing the basil thoroughly and drying it gently. Remove the toughest stems.
2. In a mortar, crush the garlic with a little salt until you obtain a smooth paste.
3. Gradually add the basil leaves and continue to pound until you obtain a homogeneous texture.
4. Incorporate the pine nuts and continue to pound until they are well integrated.
5. Add the grated parmesan and mix until smooth.
6. Drizzle in the olive oil while continuing to mix gently.
7. Salt and pepper to taste.
8. Transfer the pesto to a glass jar and store in the refrigerator until needed.

Pesto generally keeps for a week in a cool place. You can also freeze it to keep it longer.

Arrabbiata sauce: an explosion of spicy flavors

If pesto represents the sweetness of Italian cuisine, arrabbiata sauce embodies its spicy and bold side. Originally from the Lazio region, this spicy tomato sauce is a real delight for lovers of spicy dishes.

Arrabbiata sauce ingredients

To make authentic arrabbiata sauce, you will need the following:

• Peeled tomatoes: preferably choose San Marzano tomatoes, known for their intense flavor.
• Garlic: Garlic is an essential ingredient to give character to the sauce.
• Dried red peppers: dried red peppers bring the characteristic touch of heat to the arrabbiata sauce.
• Extra virgin olive oil: Use quality olive oil for authentic flavor.
• Fresh parsley: parsley brings a welcome note of freshness.
• Salt and pepper: to season the sauce.

The method of preparing arrabbiata sauce

Here are the steps to follow to make a tasty arrabbiata sauce:

1. Start by finely dicing the garlic and dried red peppers.
2. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and chillies and fry for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant.
3. Add the peeled tomatoes and mash them with a fork to reduce them to a sauce.
4. Salt and pepper to taste.
5. Let the sauce simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, stirring regularly, until it thickens.
6. Add the chopped fresh parsley and mix well.
7. Serve the arrabbiata sauce hot, accompanied by your favorite pasta.

Arrabbiata sauce will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can also freeze it to keep it longer.

Other Italian sauces to discover

Besides pesto and arrabbiata sauce, Italian cuisine is full of other tasty sauces to explore:

Amatriciana sauce

Originally from the Lazio region, this sauce made from guanciale (pork cheek), tomatoes and pecorino romano is a delight.

Carbonara sauce

Emblematic of Roman cuisine, the carbonara sauce made with eggs, pancetta and parmesan is a true institution.

Sauce alla norma

Typical of Sicily, this sauce made from eggplant, tomatoes, basil and salty ricotta is an explosion of Mediterranean flavors.

The vodka sauce

Created in the 1970s, this rosé sauce with vodka and cream has become a classic of Italian cuisine.

Whether you're looking for classic flavors or want to explore new culinary experiences, EasyGusto offers you a selection of quality Italian products to help you make these delicious homemade sauces.

Join our community of Italian cuisine lovers and let yourself be guided on your taste journey through the treasures of the peninsula. Enjoy your food !