Do you love trying new foods and dishes? While you might think this has to involve visiting expensive restaurants or making complicated dishes at home, this does not have to be the case. You can have a great time just visiting gourmet food shops and buying unique foods to sample. It helps to pick a theme or a region, and then purchase foods from that region. For example, if you decide to sample gourmet Italian foods one night, here are five worth trying.
Prosciutto
This cured ham is sliced thinly and often served alongside cheeses, breads, and fruits. It comes in various levels of quality, but the best is known as Prosciutto di Parma, as it hails from Parma, Italy. Many gourmet food shops carry it and will custom-slice it to order. Make sure you get it sliced as thinly sliced as possible.
Speck
This is another cured Italian meat product worth trying. It is basically a pork belly that has been smoked and cured. It's rich in fat and flavor and is not something you want to eat more than a little of at a time. Enjoy it sliced on a piece of baguette, perhaps with rustic chunks of Parmagiano Reggiano cheese.
Balsamic Vinegar
You've probably had balsamic vinegar before, but have you had the best, highest-quality balsamic? If you have a gourmet food store near you, pay them a visit and buy the most expensive balsamic they have. Taste some on small pieces of white bread, or drizzle it over apple slices. You'll be amazed at the rich, syrupy flavors; it's lightyears better than the everyday balsamic you can buy at the grocery store.
Panettone
Panettone is an Italian cake that is very popular around Christmas time. You can find it in gourmet food stores imported from Italy. Traditional panettone has dried fruits and walnuts in it, but you can also find lemon and espresso-flavored ones that are tasty.
Pesto
While you can make pesto at home, you can also find some really delicious gourmet pestos sold in jars. Look for one that is imported directly from Italy. High-end pestos are made with really nice olive oil and the freshest basil, so they have far more body and flavor than the typical pesto you might whip up in your food processor.
Sampling these five Italian favorites should give you more perspective on Italian cuisine. Enjoy a tasty nibble or two, and expand your palate.
To learn more about gourmet food, contact a gourmet food store.
