All types of cuisines, from Italian to Latin to Asian, have a set of core staples that are essential to creating a distinctively authentic meal.

More often than not, Italian fare rises to the top of the preferred cuisines list, so Chef Paolo Lafata, director of Olive Garden’s Culinary Institute of Tuscany, provides a little education about Italian dishes by sharing the top five essential ingredients needed to prepare fresh and delicious Italian dishes.

* Extra virgin olive oil: To qualify as extra virgin, the oil must be cold-pressed, with no chemicals or hot water added during … read more

In the diet craze that has captured our attention over the last four decades, the one plan that stands out from the rest is the Mediterranean Diet. Since the Mediterranean embraces more than 20 countries, each with its own cuisine, the diet is really a fusion of the many foods consumed by the nations bordering the sea.

Olive oil is the anchor of the Mediterranean diet. No other natural oil has as much monounsaturated fat. When drizzled on salads and vegetables or grilled fish, it adds a pleasing aroma and texture. But olive oil by itself is somewhat … read more