My friends, I was going through some online newspapers and I noticed this page with two so-called Italian recipes:
https://www.today.com/food/giada-de-laurentiis-easy-one-pan-chicken-lasagna-recipes-t147298
Considering that Giada De Laurentiis is an Italian name and that she says she cooks Italian dishes, she’s mixing ingredients in a way an Italian of Italy wouldn’t and, why – if she’s Italian – is she using marinara sauce?
Why according to her Italian roots, in a cacciatora (and NOT cacciatore) you should put oregano, fennel seeds and onion powder?
What is that bread salad? Nothing Italian! And why mixing it with a cacciatora chicken????
Both these dishes are a strange mix of something that in Italy we wouldn’t do. She says: “These dishes have all of the classic and zesty flavors you’d find in the traditional Italian versions”.
I say: “Nice joke!”
Are these dishes nice? I didn’t taste them. From what I read, it’s something I wouldn’t like, but I can’t judge something I haven’t eaten. I can tell you they aren’t Italian recipes.
Anyway, I can say that – in general – I don’t understand all these people talking about traditional Italian flavors and recipes that they obviously and clearly don’t know. They give incorrect information about what’s Italian and about what’s typical. They create dishes, matching tastes that an Italian would never approach! Why don’t they just say they are giving their own recipes according to their taste and stop pretending they are teaching traditions they don’t even know?
If you put oregano, it doesn’t mean it’s an Italian dish!
Most of the times, the names of the recipes are even misspelled.
Note: Obviously my posts haven’t any intention of offending anybody or of criticizing the goodness, quality and tastes of any dish or recipe. What I write is just a personal consideration concerning the adherence of the recipe to the Italian ones, considering local habits, usages and traditions. The mood of the blog can be ironic and sometimes sarcastic, but with no aim of disappointing anybody. If somebody feels offended or struck by my words, please don’t. Moreover feel free to write me and explain your point of view (public channels like this blog are best welcome). It would be a pleasure for me. My intention is a constructive and sincere exchange of opinions.
