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Amati Taste

Do you miss your favorite Italian place around the corner?

Why not try to cook your favorite dishes at home, now that you have all that time in your hands?

Italian cuisine can seem complex (even intimidating) because of endless ingredients, techniques and preparations. But don’t worry, I will guide you every step of the way, I will show you a simple and effective methods to a great meal.

No show-off, no distractions, I will go directly to the point and help you gain confidence and the best result possible with few ingredients.

Read more

Do you miss your favorite Italian place around the corner?

Why not try to cook your favorite dishes at home, now that you have all that time in your hands?

Italian cuisine can seem complex (even intimidating) because of endless ingredients, techniques and preparations. But don’t worry, I will guide you every step of the way, I will show you a simple and effective methods to a great meal.

No show-off, no distractions, I will go directly to the point and help you gain confidence and the best result possible with few ingredients.

5 lessons, 15 recipes, including starters, firsts and main courses. Moreover, we have recently updated the course, adding 3 lessons on traditional Grandma's chicken and 5 all-purpose sauces.

As Master Yoda says: “Try not. Do. ” :-)

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to eat well the italian way
  • Easy techniques of mediterranean cuisine, use of alternative ingredients
  • 5 complete menus including appetizers, first and main courses, 3 best-seller chicken dishes and 5 all-purpose sauces

Syllabus

Appetizers

INSALATA CAPRESE: a super easy dish directly from Capri Island.

Produce and presentation make the difference.

Fresh, pleasant, cannot get enough.

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CARPACCIO DI VITELLO: cook to impress with limited time? Here’s an idea, 5 minutes and a high-quality fresh cut of veal. It is a surprisingly easy and fresh dish from the North of Italy. No cooking is required.

SARDE IN SAOR: Venice, gondolas and the greatest marine republic in the history. This was a traditional dish of Venetian fishermen that helped to preserve food on board for a long period of time when at sea. A good balance of sweet and sour, acidic and subtle.

PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE is one of the most popular Italian dishes worldwide. It is 100% comfort food, but you can easily serve it during a fancy dinner.

INSALATA RUSSA: Russians have nothing to do with it! By only looking at the ingredients list, it is hard to believe how delicious this dish is! Try this unboring way of serving most common vegetables.

Fisrt courses

SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA: bacon and eggs? C’mon! You are almost in Italy! Poor ingredients – luxurious result! Enormous satisfaction!

FUSILLI AL PESTO: a perfect example of Mediterranean cuisine – fresh, aromatic and vibrant. You will definitely going to love it!

SPAGHETTI ALLE VONGOLE: the best way to describe this pasta with three main ingredients – is “less is more”. Learn how to bring together the pasta and the sauce. Discover a secret to a silky and creamy sauce with no cream.

PASTA AL FORNO: if you ask Italians what their favorite dish is, you will most likely hear – “baked pasta”! You can come across numerous recipes (like lasagna) with different types of pasta, sauces and ingredients. Chef Amati learned this recipe from his Grandma.

PASTA ALL’AMATRICIANA: This dish will take you to Rome? Very rich and full of flavor as the Southern cuisine itself.

Main courses

POLPETTE AL SUGO: you may think that you know it! But do you really?! Try the simplicity of this traditional Italian bestseller, where the flavor is well balanced and ingredients speak for themselves

COSTOLETTA ALLA MILANESE: don’t you think this is a wiener schnitzel! It is better for one reason only – it is a cutlet on a bone, that gives it more flavor.

BRANZINO AL CARTOCCIO: no special skills needed! Just a seabass, a foil and the seasoning. Not bad at all for a dish that normally costs at least 25$ in a restaurant!

VALDOSTANA DI VITELLO originally comes from the Alps and is suitable for chilly weather. This is our idea of quality comfort food. Best with mashed potatoes on a cold rainy day.

SALTIMBOCCA ALLA ROMANA: a super easy and super-fast recipe from XIX century. It is still served nowadays in the best Roman trattorias. But you can effortlessly replicate it at home.

Grandma's chicken

Italian and French cuisines have been in competition for ages. Try the Italian response to Cordon Blue challenge.

Did you know that the Sicilian orange is the king of all oranges?

Delicious, full of color and flavor chicken bites. You’re gonna love it! Your kids’re gonna go crazy! (just leave out Grand Marnier)


Melt in your mouth chicken. Suitable for: cosi dinner, country style home meal, family reunions or a special occasion like…

you simply crave it!

All purpose sauces

Perfect with:

  • Bruschetta (toasted bread)

  • Pasta

  • Steamed veggies

  • Poached eggs

Perfect with:

  • Bruschetta (toasted bread)

  • Pasta

  • On its own (as an appetized)

Perfect with:

  • Bruschetta (toasted bread)

  • Pasta salad

  • On its own (as an appetizer)

Perfect with:

  • Bruschetta (toasted bread)

  • Pasta

  • Polenta

Perfect with:

  • Bruschetta (toasted bread)

  • Pasta

  • Rice

  • Cous cous

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Offers simple and effective methods for preparing great meals with few ingredients, making Italian cooking accessible to beginners
Includes a variety of recipes, from appetizers to main courses, providing a comprehensive introduction to Italian cuisine
Features dishes from different regions of Italy, such as Venice and Rome, exposing learners to the breadth of Italian culinary traditions
Focuses on traditional recipes like Pasta al Forno learned from the chef's Grandma, offering an authentic and personal touch
Includes updated lessons on traditional Grandma's chicken and all-purpose sauces, expanding the course's versatility and appeal
Teaches how to make dishes that are normally expensive in restaurants, such as Branzino al Cartoccio, accessible to home cooks

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Authentic Italian cooking with these activities:
Review Basic Knife Skills
Practice fundamental knife skills to improve efficiency and safety in the kitchen, which are essential for preparing ingredients in Italian recipes.
Browse courses on Knife Skills
Show steps
  • Watch videos demonstrating basic knife cuts like dicing, mincing, and julienning.
  • Practice these cuts with inexpensive vegetables like onions and carrots.
  • Focus on consistency and safety.
Read 'Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking' by Marcella Hazan
Study a classic Italian cookbook to gain a deeper understanding of fundamental techniques and regional variations.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and chapters on basic techniques.
  • Select a few recipes to try, focusing on those that align with the course syllabus.
  • Take notes on key ingredients and methods.
Perfect Pasta Making
Practice making fresh pasta dough repeatedly to master the technique and develop a feel for the right consistency.
Show steps
  • Find a reliable recipe for fresh pasta dough.
  • Make the dough at least once a week, focusing on technique.
  • Experiment with different types of flour and hydration levels.
  • Practice rolling and cutting the pasta into various shapes.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Document Your Cooking Journey
Create a blog or video series documenting your experience cooking the recipes from the course, sharing tips and insights.
Show steps
  • Choose a platform (blog, YouTube, Instagram).
  • Document each recipe you try, including photos or videos.
  • Share your experiences, challenges, and successes.
  • Engage with other food enthusiasts online.
Create a Regional Italian Menu
Design a three-course menu featuring dishes from a specific region of Italy to deepen your understanding of regional culinary traditions.
Show steps
  • Choose a region of Italy (e.g., Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia).
  • Research traditional dishes from that region.
  • Select an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert that complement each other.
  • Prepare the dishes and document the process.
Explore 'The Silver Spoon'
Consult a comprehensive Italian cookbook for inspiration and to broaden your knowledge of different dishes.
Show steps
  • Browse the book for recipes that interest you.
  • Choose a few recipes to try, focusing on those that are new to you.
  • Compare the recipes to those taught in the course.
Wine Pairing Guide
Create a guide to pairing Italian wines with the dishes learned in the course, enhancing the dining experience.
Show steps
  • Research Italian wines and their characteristics.
  • Match wines to the dishes based on flavor profiles.
  • Create a visually appealing guide with descriptions and pairings.
  • Share the guide with friends and family.

Career center

Learners who complete Authentic Italian cooking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Private Chef
A private chef is hired to cook meals for a specific household or family. A private chef must be adept at creating diverse menus and adapting to their clients' tastes. This authentic Italian cooking course may be invaluable for a private chef aiming to expand their repertoire in Italian cuisine, and the course's emphasis on simple and effective methods may be useful in a home setting. The course's lessons, including classic recipes and traditional methods, may be useful for a private chef.
Personal Chef
A personal chef is similar to a private chef, but usually works on a contract basis for individual clients and may prepare diverse menus tailored to specific dietary needs. A personal chef must be adept at creating diverse menus and adapting to their clients' tastes. This authentic Italian cooking course may be invaluable for a personal chef looking to expand their repertoire in Italian cuisine, and the course's focus on simple and effective methods may be useful in a home setting. The course's lessons, including classic recipes and traditional methods, may be useful for a personal chef.
Food Blogger
Food bloggers need a deep knowledge of cooking techniques and recipes to create engaging content, and this authentic Italian cooking course helps create that foundation. A food blogger creates recipes, writes about food, and takes attractive photos of dishes. This course, with its focus on Italian cuisine, could be particularly beneficial for a food blogger specializing in Italian dishes, as it offers a repertoire of 15 recipes and several sauces. Additionally, this course will build confidence in the kitchen, which will make it easier to create content. A food blogger will find the course helpful in creating compelling posts about Italian food.
Chef
A chef is responsible for creating delicious and appealing dishes, and this course on authentic Italian cooking provides a strong foundation in classic Italian cuisine. A chef must be able to prepare a wide variety of dishes and understand the fundamentals of cooking, which this course delivers through its 15 recipes covering starters, first courses, and main courses. The course emphasizes simple yet effective methods, which can help a chef adapt to different kitchen environments and challenges. The chef will learn techniques that will allow them to create rich and flavorful dishes that delight customers. This course, by providing instruction and recipes in dishes spanning the spectrum of Italian cuisine, may be useful for a someone pursuing a career as a chef.
Recipe Developer
Recipe developers create new recipes for cookbooks, magazines, or websites. A recipe developer must have a deep understanding of cooking techniques, flavor profiles, and ingredient interactions. This authentic Italian cooking course will be useful for a recipe developer as it helps build a foundation of knowledge in traditional Italian recipes. The course’s emphasis on simple, effective methods may also be beneficial for creating recipes that are both approachable and delicious. By learning the 15 recipes, including starters, main courses, and all-purpose sauces, this course may be useful for recipe development.
Caterer
A caterer is responsible for preparing and delivering food for events. This authentic Italian cooking course may be useful as it offers a wide range of recipes, including appetizers, first courses, main courses, and all-purpose sauces. The course’s emphasis on effective methods and the use of a few key ingredients translates to efficiency in catering where large batches are produced. A caterer must be able to prepare food quickly and consistently. The recipes and techniques demonstrated here may be useful for a caterer looking to expand their menu and build a foundation in Italian food.
Test Kitchen Chef
A test kitchen chef works in a professional setting to develop and refine recipes, and this course on authentic Italian cooking may be useful by providing a foundation of Italian food knowledge. A test kitchen chef must be proficient in all types of cooking and have a high degree of knowledge in recipe development. The course emphasizes simple and effective methods, which may be helpful for developing clear and user-friendly recipes. A test kitchen chef will also benefit from the 15 diverse recipes, including starters, main courses, and all-purpose sauces, covered by this course.
Restaurant Owner
A restaurant owner needs a comprehensive understanding of the food they serve, and this course on authentic Italian cooking would be very valuable as it provides detailed instruction into traditional Italian dishes. A restaurant owner makes decisions about the menu and the overall dining experience. This course may be useful for a restaurant owner, giving them insight into the preparation of various Italian dishes, which may inspire new menu ideas and help them train their staff. The course may also provide a strong foundation in traditional recipes and ways of preparing and presenting dishes, especially by emphasizing simple and effective methods, which is useful for efficient restaurant management.
Culinary Instructor
A culinary instructor teaches others how to cook, and this course on authentic Italian cooking offers a strong base of knowledge with its range of recipes. A culinary instructor needs to be proficient in various cooking techniques and able to explain them clearly. By learning these 15 recipes spanning different courses, a culinary instructor can then teach them to others. The course’s focus on simple and effective methods combined with a practical hands-on approach may be useful for a future culinary instructor.
Kitchen Manager
A kitchen manager oversees the operations of a kitchen, ensuring that food is prepared efficiently and to a high standard. A kitchen manager benefits from experience and a deep knowledge of food preparation and kitchen procedures. This course on authentic Italian cooking may help as it provides 15 recipes that span the spectrum of Italian cuisine, from appetizers to main dishes. The course also emphasizes simple and effective methods, which can improve efficiency. A kitchen manager should be familiar with traditional dishes and ways to execute them well, and this course may help you build this foundation.
Food Product Developer
A food product developer works on creating new food products for commercial sale. A food product developer must have extensive knowledge and understanding of food production, flavor balance, and ingredient interaction. This course on authentic Italian cooking may be useful because it emphasizes simple cooking methods and the use of few ingredients, which may be useful for developing new food products. Moreover, the course emphasizes the balance of flavors, which could translate to a product that meets the public's expectations for authenticity. This course may introduce a food product developer to new ideas.
Food Consultant
A food consultant provides expertise to restaurants and food businesses on menu development and operational efficiency, and this authentic Italian cooking course provides a rich base of knowledge. A food consultant needs to understand food preparation and flavor combinations. The course's focus on simple and effective methods, along with its range of recipes, may be useful to a food consultant who advises Italian restaurants or needs a better sense of Italian cuisine. A food consultant should have a broad knowledge base of culinary concepts, and this course may help fulfill this need.
Food Writer
A food writer creates content related to food, including restaurant reviews, recipes, and culinary trends. A food writer should be knowledgeable about different cuisines and have a strong vocabulary for describing flavors and cooking techniques. This course on authentic Italian cooking may be useful as it provides a foundation in Italian cuisine with 15 varied recipes, including dishes from different regions of Italy. A food writer who is unfamiliar with Italian cuisine will find that this course helps build a base of knowledge.
Food Stylist
A food stylist arranges food to look appealing for photography and video, and this course on authentic Italian cooking provides practical knowledge of how to prepare various dishes. A food stylist needs to understand how dishes are traditionally made in order to present them as the chef intended. The course's emphasis on both cooking and presentation, as seen in the appetizer section (where the course mentions “produce and presentation make the difference”), may be useful for a food stylist. An understanding of authentic cooking methods may be helpful when creating dishes for visual media.
Sommelier
A sommelier specializes in wine service, including wine selection, pairing, and education. This course on authentic Italian cooking may be useful for a sommelier who wants to better understand regional Italian cuisine. A sommelier should be aware of flavor profiles to make the most appropriate wine pairings, and learning about traditional Italian recipes will help. This course will help the sommelier learn Italian flavors directly through their cooking, thus improving their understanding of Italian cuisine.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Authentic Italian cooking.
Comprehensive guide to Italian cooking, covering a wide range of techniques and recipes. It provides a strong foundation for understanding Italian cuisine and is often used as a textbook. Hazan's approach emphasizes simplicity and fresh ingredients, aligning perfectly with the course's focus on authentic Italian flavors. It offers more depth on regional variations and traditional methods.
Comprehensive collection of Italian recipes, offering a broad overview of Italian cuisine. It serves as a valuable reference for exploring different dishes and techniques. While not as focused on foundational techniques as Hazan's book, it provides a wide range of recipe ideas. It useful resource for expanding your repertoire and discovering new flavors.

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