Using Fresh Herbs in Italian Cooking

Fresh herbs bring life to Italian dishes, adding flavor and aroma that dried herbs simply can't match. At Mamma Mia's Trattoria & Brick Oven Pizzeria, we use fresh herbs daily in our cooking.

Essential Italian Herbs

The most important herbs in Italian cooking each serve a special purpose. These herbs form the base of many classic dishes, adding both flavor and traditional value to our meals.

Basil

• Perfect for tomato sauces
• Key ingredient in pesto
• Adds freshness to pizza
• Best used raw or added last

Rosemary

Rosemary's strong pine-like scent works well with roasted meats and potatoes. This hardy herb can withstand long cooking times, releasing its oils slowly into dishes. We use it fresh from our herb garden for the best flavor.

Oregano Uses

• Pizza topping
• Tomato sauce seasoning
• Meat marinades
• Olive oil infusions

Sage in Italian Cooking

Sage pairs wonderfully with butter and cream sauces. Its earthy flavor enhances potato dishes, risottos, and meat preparations. Fresh sage leaves, quickly fried in butter, create a simple but tasty sauce for pasta.

Storing Fresh Herbs

• Keep stems in water like flowers
• Wrap in damp paper towels
• Store in plastic bags in the fridge
• Change water daily

Cooking Tips

Different herbs need different treatment. Some herbs like basil bruise easily and should be torn by hand. Others, like rosemary, need their woody stems removed. Timing matters too - add hardy herbs early and delicate ones last.

Try our herb-infused dishes at Mamma Mia's Trattoria & Brick Oven Pizzeria. Our menu features fresh herbs in traditional and creative ways.

Ready to taste the difference fresh herbs make? Contact Mamma Mia's Trattoria & Brick Oven Pizzeria in Lake Worth at 561-963-9565 to make a reservation.

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