Genuine Italian Food Porn (vol. 1)

What is food porn?

Food porn is that kind of food photography that basically makes you want to bite the screen. Or something like that. Well at least this is my interpretation of it!

Here is a collection of some delicious Italian food I had in the past days – hope you like it! Here we go:

• Gnocchi al tartufo nero – Gnocchi with black truffle

These gnocchi were dressed with a creamy black truffle sauce and topped with truffle flakes. I had it in a restaurant in Santa Margherita Ligure, and this is one of my favorite dishes I have every time I come home. The dinner was in a candle light… just perfect!

• Salame

I took this photo while a friend was slicing salame, and just before we ate it all! This was  a classic Italian pork salame.

• Vitello tonnato, aka vitel tonné

Vitello tonnato or vitel tonné is veal covered in tuna and mayo sauce. It might sound like a weird pairing but believe me it’s so delicious!

• Linguine alle vongole e gamberi di Santa Margherita – Linguine with clams and Santa Margherita shrimps

Linguine is a kind of pasta that looks like spaghetti, but they’re flat. These linguine came with fresh clams and Santa Margherita shrimps, topped with a pinch of parsley and fresh cherry tomatoes.

• Scaloppine di vitello al limone – Veal escalopes with lemon sauce

Another thing I love are Italian escalopes. They are made of veal, and can come with different kinds of sauce – red or white wine sauce, Marsala sauce or lemon sauce – and I chose the lemon one. They came with sauteed green beans, potatoes and carrots, on a bed of salad. The lemon sauce was so creamy!

• Salsiccia e tartare di cavallo – Horse meat sausage and tartare

I know eating horse meat is controversial for many people. I am not used to it too, but I was at a friend’s place and she offered me this. I loved it, especially the sausage. Plus, this kind of meat is very rich in iron, which I completely lack, so it’s good for my health! The meat was super fresh and we had it raw, with just a little bit of extra virgin olive oil and salt. Simple and perfect.

• Gnocchi al pesto – Gnocchi with pesto sauce

Pesto sauce is something very typical of my region – Liguria. Every other pesto is just an imitation! It’s made of basil, Parmigiano cheese, pine nuts and sometimes garlic too. As you can see I love gnocchi, and this pesto was without garlic, which I don’t like. I know the color looks funny but you just have to try it! Delicious and unique.

• Polpo alla Ligure – “Ligure style” octopus

Last but not least… Octopus! “Ligure style” also refers to this region of Italy (Liguria). It’s a very simple dish: fresh boiled octopus with boiled potatoes and parsley, dressed with lemon. A real delight!

I won’t ask you if I made you hungry again, because I know I did! Did you ever try any of the above specialties? Which ones do you like, or would like to try? Which ones you would never have? Share your thoughts, I’m curious!