Kamis, 29 September 2011

A Taste of Milan



When you think of Italy, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Chances are that the words that rolled off your tongue (hopefully with a wonderful Italian accent!) are food, food, food! We can talk all we like about the fashion, the art and the music (and indeed, these are the other true joys of the country), but what we really want to experience is the spectacular culinary culture for which Italy is renowned.
Each region of Italy has its own particular style of cuisine, and if you’re heading to Milan you’re in for a treat. Situated in the northern region of Lombardy, the city is a food lover’s paradise and when you’re staying in Milan centre, hotels, restaurants, cafes and bars are all on your doorstep, and all ready to tempt you with their mouth-watering array of delicacies. Being landlocked, seafood doesn’t feature as highly on the menu as some coastal provinces but that isn’t a problem; in Lombardy, it’s all about the meat! Here is just a selection of what you can expect to enjoy.
Famous Food
In Milan centre, hotels are used to playing host to famous guests from all over the world; movie stars, politicians, rock stars, they all come to experience the history and ambience of this fascinating city. But visitors to Milan are rubbing shoulders with something much more famous than any celebrity will ever be; the region’s signature dish Osso Buco. The authentic version of this dish is nothing short of divine and the stars of the show are the melt-in-your-mouth veal shanks which form the basis of the meal. Literally translated as ‘hole in bone’ the meat is cooked in a mixture of tomato, wine, stock and onion then topped with a ‘gremolata’ of parsley, lemon and garlic. Slow cooked in the oven for a few hours, Osso Buco’s tastiest morsel is the delicious marrow which remains in the hollow of the bone. In Milan centre, hotel and restaurant chefs will all have their own special version of this traditional Lombardian dish; you decide whose is best!
Not Just Risotto
Risotto dishes have become virtually mainstream the world over, and there aren’t many top celebrity chefs who don’t have their own special translation of this traditional Italian recipe. In Milan, you will often find risotto served as an accompaniment to Osso Buco and, as with everything else from this stylish city, the Risotto alla Milanese does it just that little bit better. The difference between Milanese risotto and others is the addition of beef bone marrow and the precious saffron threads which give it its distinctive yellow colouring. In Milan centre, hotel food is often 5 star quality and you may find it hard to even leave the building to try other restaurants in the city once you’ve sampled your hotel’s risotto – but we recommend you do, if only to seek out your next course...
Milan - Cheese Heaven?
What better way to round out your evening meal than with a cheese board topped with some Lombardy regional varieties and a chaser of wine! So what are the regional cheeses around Milan? Well, chances are you already know them. The fabulously rich, blue-veined Gorgonzola is probably the best-known specialty, named after a village outside of Milan; but you may also recognize the mild, creamy taste of Bel Paese, another local made good; as well as Grana Padano and Taleggio.
Returning to your Milan centre hotel after a gastronomic excursion, before you drift off to sleep it only remains to decide what’s on the menu for breakfast....
Published At: Isnare.com

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