Basil

Italy’s most emblematic culinary creation, the genuine pizza Napoletana is made with just a few simple ingredients and prepared in only two variations – marinara, the basic Neapolitan pizza topped with a tomato-based sauce fla... READ MORE

Pizza Margherita is a delicacy that is literally fit for a queen. In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, where she was served a pizza that was made to resemble the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella che... READ MORE

Found throughout southern Italy, parmigiana di melanzane is a type of gratinated vegetable casserole traditionally made of fried or grilled slices of eggplant layered with basil-flavored tomato sauce and topped with one or more cheeses, such as mo... READ MORE

This version of eggplant parmigiana is the most popular outside of Italy. Hailing from Campania, this variation on a dish is made with eggplants, olive oil, onions, basil, tomatoes, mozzarella or fior di latte cheese, and grated Parmigiano-Reggian... READ MORE

Tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, and buffalo mozzarella are the standard toppings for pizza bufalina. Mozzarella di bufala, as they call it in Italy, is a type of mozzarella prepared with the milk of the Italian Mediterranean buffalo. Renow... READ MORE

Ragù Napoletano is a traditional meat and tomato sauce originating from Naples. In the past, it was prepared by the portinai or doormen who sat while observing the comings and goings of tenants as well as the sounds of the... READ MORE

One of Albania's national dishes, fërgesë tirane is a baked vegetable and cheese specialty originating from the capital of Tirana. Traditionally, this recipe uses bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, locally made salted cottage cheese (or fet... READ MORE

Narsharab is a unique Azerbaijani sauce consisting of evaporated pomegranate juice that is combined with sugar and spices such as basil, cinnamon, coriander, salt, and ground black pepper. Its flavor is best described as tangy and sour. It is reco... READ MORE

This chewy, oily flatbread is quite versatile, and can be topped with a range of ingredients such as coarse sea salt, olive oil, herbs, tomatoes, or olives. Historians tend to believe it was invented either by the Etruscans or in ancient Greece, a... READ MORE

Quattro formaggi is a variety of Italian pizza topped with a combination of four kinds of cheese, as the name suggests. Traditionally, the cheeses should be mozzarella and three other, local cheeses, depending on the region, such as G... READ MORE

This is a variety of Italian pizza that is traditionally topped with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, olive oil, and fresh basil leaves. It provides a great way to use up leftover tomatoes, and some cooks like to finish it off with a drizzle... READ MORE

This simple yet delicious dish comes from Campania, more precisely from the beautiful coastal village of Sorrento, hence the name. Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, a Neapolitan classic in the local dialect known as strangulaprievete alla SorrentinaREAD MORE

Chile's favorite home-cooked meal, the soft and creamy pastel de choclo is a casserole-like pie that is also popular in Peru, Argentina and Bolivia. It consists of ground beef, chicken, black olives, onions, hard-boiled eggs, and dough made from f... READ MORE

This popular Greek dish, which goes under the name strapatsada or kagianas, consists of diced, sautéed tomatoes that are seasoned with fresh herbs, then combined with lightly beaten eggs and topped with crumbled feta cheese. With i... READ MORE

Chanakhi is a hearty Georgian stew made with lamb, eggplant, sweet peppers, and tomatoes. The stew is typically flavored and seasoned with coriander, basil, pepper, and salt. This flavorful dish is traditionally served in individual clay pots, cal... READ MORE

Nothing embodies the essence of summer in southern Italy like vibrant colors of the flavorful insalata Caprese, a true classic of Neapolitan cuisine. The perfect combination of ripe, sun-kissed tomatoes, creamy mozzarella and fresh basil ... READ MORE

Marinara is a red sauce consisting of olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, and herbs. Onions might sometimes get added to the combination of these ingredients, and marinara might be transformed into another sauce such as arrabbiata or puttane... READ MORE

Thin slices of salty prosciutto cotto or cooked ham, creamy mozzarella cheese, and a robust tomato sauce spread over a basic pizza dough make the pizza variety known as pizza prosciutto. This traditional pizza is usually drizzled with oli... READ MORE

This Sicilian classic is traditionally made with tomato sauce, eggplants, ricotta salata cheese, and fresh basil. The dish is said to be named in honor of La Norma, the famous opera composed by Vincenzo Bellini in 1831. According to legen... READ MORE

Kharcho is a hearty Georgian soup featuring beef or chicken, walnuts, and rice. It is traditionally seasoned with a Georgian spice blend called khmeli suneli (a combination of dried blue fenugreek, marigold petals, basil, parsley, fennel,... READ MORE

Haydari is a Turkish meze dip that is usually made with thickened yogurt, garlic, and fresh herbs such as dill, paprika, mint, and basil. The dip has a thick texture and a tangy flavor. It is recommended to serve it chilled with pita bread, vegeta... READ MORE

Domates çorbası is a typical Turkish tomato soup featuring simple and fresh flavors. It consists of cooked or roasted tomatoes, onions, garlic, olive oil, flour, and water. The soup is often seasoned with salt and ground pepper, and it is t... READ MORE

Bún bò Huế is a staple Vietnamese soup that is traditionally consumed for breakfast, consisting of pork and beef bones broth, bun noodles, lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime juice, and a variety of herbs. The soup is much spicie... READ MORE

Typically shared among groups and consumed by the slice, the Roman invention known as pizza alla pala is a long, oval-shaped flatbread made with a high-hydration, long-rising dough. It is baked in electric ovens, transferred to a wooden board call... READ MORE

The main element in this exquisite Greek dish is lobster meat that is coupled with a flavorful tomato-based sauce and served over pasta. The dish is typically prepared with spaghetti, while the sauce is usually enriched with wine and various herbs... READ MORE

Lasagne alla parmigiana is a traditional lasagna dish originating from Emilia-Romagna. The dish is essentially a blend of two Italian classics – lasagne pasta and eggplant parmigiana. Although there are many recipes, it's usually made with a... READ MORE

This pizza calls for deep frying the dough shortly before it is topped with marinara sauce, cheese, and basil, and then thrown into an oven for a final touch. The last step is said to imbue the pizza with a somewhat smoky, toasted flavor and make ... READ MORE

Satsebeli is a traditional sauce originating from Georgia. It's usually made with a combination of tomatoes, red bell peppers, garlic, salt, cayenne pepper (or ajika paste), and oil. The tomatoes are chopped, mixed with sea salt, and covered overn... READ MORE

Menestrón is a Peruvian soup that is an adaptation of the famous Italian minestrone. The soup became popular in Peru with the first Italian immigrants, and over time, it was adapted for local palates using a variety of Peruvian ing... READ MORE

Skordopsomo is the Greek version of garlic bread. It's made with a combination of sliced bread, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Everything except the bread is blended or mashed together until smooth, and the mixture is then sp... READ MORE

The star ingredient of this traditional Salvadoran soup or broth is a free-range, home-raised chicken known as gallina india. With an incomparable, rich flavor due to it being raised in a natural environment and fed on a natural diet, the... READ MORE

Bruschetta is a traditional appetizer that's nowadays popular throughout the world. In its simplest form known as fettunta, this classic appetizer consists of a grilled slice of bread rubbed with garlic and drizzled with extra virgin oliv... READ MORE

Bruschetta al pomodoro is a popular Italian appetizer consisting of sliced, toasted bread that is rubbed with garlic and topped with finely chopped tomatoes. Although there are numerous variations, the appetizer is usually finished with a drizzle ... READ MORE

Panzanella is an Italian salad made from pieces of stale, moistened bread, with the addition of tomatoes, onions, or basil, and a dressing of vinegar and olive oil. The salad is a specialty of Tuscany, where it is usually served in the summer, mak... READ MORE

Ajika is a hot and spicy Georgian paste made with hot peppers, garlic, walnuts, and fresh herbs and spices such as coriander, basil, dill, and marigold petals. It is most commonly used as a flavoring for various meat and fish dishes, although it c... READ MORE

The key ingredients of this Sicilian pesto are pistachios, preferably the sweet, bright green nuts of the pistacchio verde di Bronte DOP, hailing from the area around the Sicilian town of Bronte. To prepare this sauce, unsalted pistachios... READ MORE

Gnocchi al pomodoro is an Italian dish consisting of two key elements – potato gnocchi and a simple tomato sauce. The gnocchi are made from potatoes, eggs, and flour, and the sauce is made from olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, basil, and seasoni... READ MORE

These flavorful fritters employ diced tomatoes as their main ingredient, while other additions commonly include onions, fresh herbs, spices, feta cheese and grated zucchinis. The dish is usually associated with Santorini, an island known for the h... READ MORE

Bruschetta alla caprese is a traditional type of bruschetta originating from the island of Capri, hence the name. This tasty appetizer consists of bread, cherry tomatoes, basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, olive oil, garlic, and salt. The bread is s... READ MORE

Inspired by another Italian dish - the traditional Southern Italian specialty, known as parmigiana di melanzane or eggplant parmesan - pizza parmigiana is a tasty twist on this dish that uses the dish's main ingredients as toppin... READ MORE

Similar to a goulash, chashushuli is a hearty beef and tomato stew hailing from Georgia. The stew is typically made with a combination of beef (sometimes veal or pork), tomatoes, onions, water or meat broth, garlic, and a generous amount of spices... READ MORE

Bruschetta alla marinara is a traditional appetizer and a type of bruschetta. It's usually made with a combination of bread slices, tomatoes, basil, garlic, onions, olive oil, sardines, salt, and pepper. The slices of bread are grilled, rubbed wit... READ MORE