Elegant Italian Food

There are many types of elegant Italian food. In fact some might argue that all Italian food is elegant in its own way. However, there are certain dishes that really impress a crowd or make for an extra special evening.

One example of elegant Italian food is a dish called Chicken Marsala. This chicken dish is fairly simple to make, but really impresses. Thin cutlets of chicken (and sometimes veal) are coated in flour, a pinch of salt, and a pinch of oregano. The meat is then sautéed in a skillet in a small amount of olive oil, and cooked until tender. Once cooked, the chicken is removed from the pan and placed on a platter. About four ounces of marsala wine is added to the pan, with about eight ounces of fresh sliced mushrooms and cooked with the juice of one lemon. The chicken is then returned to the pan and simmered until heated through. Often chicken marsala is served over pasta or with a simple pasta dish on the side.

Manicotti and cannelloni are other elegant Italian food dishes. These tube shaped pasta shells are stuffed with a mixture of meats, herbs, and cheeses, coated with sauces, and baked in a casserole. The texture of the filling is exceptional and the combination of flavors is divine. Paired with a simple tossed salad, this dinner is sure to impress.

Fish courses are also quite popular Italian fare. Dishes such as shrimp scampi, and fish fillets stuffed with various fillings (fresh herbs, breadcrumbs, cheeses, vegetables and other fish) make for a great presentation. For dessert, cannolis filled with ricotta cheese fillings and topped with condiments like chocolate chips, chopped nuts, cherries, and whipped cream put just the right finishing touch on an authentic meal. These elegant Italian foods are all fairly simple to make, healthy and delicious, and are a wonderful treat.