Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

What do you consider a classic italian food?
I want to make BF a V-day dinner.

I can not make sauce for anything - never works well for me.
Lassagna isn't up my ally. Other cheese things will work though.

I'm thinking a chicken, pork, pasta dish? Maybe sausage....

I'm a pretty good cook - just drawing a blank.

We are going to Little Italy on Saturday to spend the day together and shop.


EFA: (Edited for Answers)

Fresh herbs don't scare me. I have no intention of baking (dessert).
Grilling isn't my forte', I think of it mostly as a summer thing.

Please talk to me more about Osso Buco and Risotto alla Milanese...I've never made either. Is Osso Buco just veal or can it be made w/ beef? I can make white rice - I'm not scared of the risotto - just never made it. Can it be a main dish or a just a side?

BF doesn't eat fish...yet

Message edited 2/8/2010 1:44:55 PM.

Re: Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

How about Osso Bucco? Or maybe a nice Chicken Scarpiello, Piccata or Marsala?

Re: Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

Italy is a place of regional cuisine.

it's not all red sauce, cheesy baked pasta's by ANY stretch.

what are you good at? grilling, baking etc?

can you make a nice steak? are you good at rice? are you comfortable with fresh spices, herbs etc???

Re: Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

Chicken (or veal) has endless possibilites...Chicken Francese, Marsala (you could even add a slice of prosscuitto and a slice of mozzerlla to the top ), rollatini.

You could do a pasta with brocolli rabe, garlic, and oil if you guys like that.

You could do fish--maybe even a linguni with clams

Re: Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

Off the top of my head the following are dishes I grew up with & have always eaten when I have gone to Italy to visit family: (These are Northern Italian classics)

Risotto with mushrooms &Osso Bucco

Risotto alla Milanese or Red wine Risotto

Polenta - made several different ways
- with mushroom sauce & parmigiano cheese
- plain with gorgonzola spread on top
- served with Cotechino (which is fresh sausage made from pork, fatback, and pork rind. We buy it at our local Italian delicatessen) which is cooked in a lentil sauce. This is my FAVORITE.

Pasta with pesto sauce is another.


Crostata is a classic dessert

Re: Authentic/Epitome/Classic Italian Food

I just took a recipie for slow braised, Italian, crock-pot ribs from this board. It was awesome. It was with tomatoes, veggies & red wine.
Im not Italian but I loved this.

I personally don't love Italian food/ pasta dishes so im not much help srry!