The Importance of Quality Food

The Importance Of Quality Food

The quality of your food is one of the most important factors to a delicious meal and at La Bottega of Farmingdale we know how important this is. Many things go into what makes your food “high quality,” and it is important to keep these things in mind when you are out at a restaurant or shopping for your next dinner at the grocery store. If you are eating food that has “poor quality” you can be putting your body at risk for an illness.

One of the most important reasons why you should eat high quality food is for health reasons. By eating food that is not high quality, you can get a illness as a result from food contamination. Some of the most common and well known food contaminants are E.Coli and mold. While there are many others that can contaminate your food, by eliminating poor quality food you will lessen your chance of falling ill due to food contaminants.

A factor that leads to food quality is how the food is produced. Whether it is how the food is grown or how the meat is butchered, this all affects the quality of your food. The condition of the soil or water that your food is grown in can impact the quality of the food because if the soil or water becomes contaminated then so will your food.

After the food is produced, it is still at risk for contamination during the processing and transporting part of production.  During transportation, if the proper hygienic guidelines are not followed every step of the way, then the food can become contaminated. The last step in making sure you ensure that your food is high quality, is in the way it is prepared. Your food must be stored properly, cooked at the right temperature for the right amount of time, and then kept warm at the right temperature prior to eating.

At La Bottega of Farmingdale our food is always of the highest quality. We make sure that your food will be handled correctly and we will take care of yours and your family’s food. Next time you are eating out and want to ensure a high quality meal, come into La Bottega of Farmingdale!

The Importance Of Quality Food

The quality of your food is one of the most important factors to a delicious meal and at La Bottega of Farmingdale we know how important this is. Many things go into what makes your food “high quality,” and it is important to keep these things in mind when you are out at a restaurant or shopping for your next dinner at the grocery store. If you are eating food that has “poor quality” you can be putting your body at risk for an illness.

One of the most important reasons why you should eat high quality food is for health reasons. By eating food that is not high quality, you can get a illness as a result from food contamination. Some of the most common and well known food contaminants are E.Coli and mold. While there are many others that can contaminate your food, by eliminating poor quality food you will lessen your chance of falling ill due to food contaminants.

A factor that leads to food quality is how the food is produced. Whether it is how the food is grown or how the meat is butchered, this all affects the quality of your food. The condition of the soil or water that your food is grown in can impact the quality of the food because if the soil or water becomes contaminated then so will your food.

After the food is produced, it is still at risk for contamination during the processing and transporting part of production.  During transportation, if the proper hygienic guidelines are not followed every step of the way, then the food can become contaminated. The last step in making sure you ensure that your food is high quality, is in the way it is prepared. Your food must be stored properly, cooked at the right temperature for the right amount of time, and then kept warm at the right temperature prior to eating.

At La Bottega of Farmingdale our food is always of the highest quality. We make sure that your food will be handled correctly and we will take care of yours and your family’s food. Next time you are eating out and want to ensure a high quality meal, come into La Bottega of Farmingdale!

How to pair wines with different foods

We all know the rule of thumb to pair wines with specific dishes: whites with fish and reds with meat. But pairing a wine to compliment your dish takes so much more than that. The most successful food and wine pairings occur when the flavors from the food and the wine reflect each other. When making the match to perfectly complement a dish, you must keep in mind the weight, texture, and flavors in both the food and the wine.

Before putting together your final table, consider the flavors you are trying to highlight.  For example, with lighter meats remember to pair the wine with the sauce, if that is going to be the flavor debuted in your dish. The goal is to compliment the salts, sugars, fats, and spices in our food. The key components of wine that we need identify before pairing it to your meal are: sugar, acid, fruit, tannin, and even alcohol levels. An unoaked wine is more likely to be lighter-bodied than its oaked counterpart.  An oaked wine aged in barrels contains more flavors and aromas with vanilla, cedar, spice and smoky notes.  An unoaked crisp and fresh Chardonnay or a refreshing, crisp, and fruity Pinot Grigio are great to cut through a sweet creamy sauce over pasta, chicken or a flaky fish dish.

An easy way to remember how to pair a wine to a dish is to describe each to yourself and consider how similar they are or are not.  If the two seem pretty comparable then you can safely assume that you’ve got your match.  But where should you start? One of the easiest ways to start pairing your wine is to try to match the color of the wine to the color of your food. Consider the popular pairings of a pale yellow Sauvignon Blanc with citrus flavors and a dark cabernet with a steak.  Light wines, light foods; dark wine, rich foods.  We pair foods and wines in order to enhance our dining experience, these compliments actually go further than just the flavor. For example the bitter tasting tannins in dark red wines actually cut through the coating that fat leaves in the mouth and crisper sparkling wines cleanse the pallet from salty foods. Just  remember, its worth the time to choose a good wine and there is no better place to do this than at La Bottega of Farmingdale.

The Power of the Avocado

Are you a guacamole lover? Well you should be, avocados, the main ingredient in guacamole is actually one of the healthiest fruits you can eat. One of the main benefits of avocados is that they prevent cancer which is the leading cause of deaths worldwide. The extracts in the avocado actually kill precancerous cells because of the vitamin E. Other benefits that avocados help with are human vision. They actually have antioxidants that can be found in the human retina which keep your eyes young and healthy. They are rich in healthy fats, which is not to easy to come across in foods, and for that reason nutrients are absorbed quicker and easier. One of the main nutrients lycopene, helps prevent heart disease and prostate cancer.

Other than containing such healthy fats, avocados also have more fiber and proteins in them than most fruits. Fiber is an essential ingredient in foods because it actually slows down digestion so food isn't turned into fat right away. So yes, in short, fruits high in fiber will not make you gain weight even with all the sugar they have! Avocados also contain lots of B vitamins which help with energy as well as vitamins E and K which help with overall strong bones. If this doesn’t make you want to grab an avocado for lunch I don’t know what will!

Want a delicious meal with avocados in it, stop by La Bottega of Farmingdale, a traditional gourmet restaurant in Farmingdale for some gluten-free avocado salads, or a grilled chicken avocado salad. We also have a delicious dish called gluten-free tacchino e avocado salad, which has roasted turkey, mixed greens, shredded mozzarella, tomatoes, avocados, sauteed mushrooms, and roasted hot peppers. Get avocados in your diet if you want to stay lean, healthy, and limit the risks of cancer and other health risks.

White Wine

With so many different types of white wine, it may become hard to learn the difference between all of them. When you are at restaurant and provided with a wine list or in a liquor store searching through the different types of white wine, it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of the options. Here are a few tips to help you decide which white wine is perfect for you!

One of the most popular white wines is Chardonnay. The grapes that make this wine can be grown all over the world, so you will find bottles from places such as California, Australia, or France. This wine usually has a green apple or citrus flavoring to it. When drinking this wine you will find that is has buttery tones to it, which means that it has vanilla, toast, and coconut flavors in it. These flavors come from the oak barrels that it is fermented in. If you are at a restaurant, try pairing this wine with a fish or chicken dish to enhance the taste of both the wine and the meal.

Moscato is another type of white wine that you can choose from. You will find that many bottles of Moscato will come from Italy. When drinking Moscato you will find that it has a very fruity undertone and you will taste flavors such as oranges and tangerines. It is recommended to drink this wine on its own but if you are out to eat and need wine to pair with your dessert Moscato is the one you should order!

The last type of white wine that you should keep in mind before making your next wine purchase is Pinot grigio.  You will find most bottles coming from Italy, California, or France. This white wine can be paired with almost anything! Pinot grigio gives off a crisp taste that will not overload your palate so you can enjoy any dish with it. So next time you are at a restaurant and do not know what you want to eat, start with a pinot grigio so that your drink choice does not dictate your dinner choice.

If you are serving white wine at your house, keep in mind that how you present it and the temperature that you serve it at will impact the taste of the wine. Look for wine glasses that are narrower when serving white wine. By doing this your wine will have a greater aromatic concentration. Also, when it comes to temperature make sure your white wine is not too hot or not too cold. Try serving your white wine at a temperature between 45-50 °F for optimal taste!

White wine can range in where the grape originated from to what food you should be pairing it with, which is why it is important to get your facts straight about what wine you should be drinking before you order. Everything from what glass to use to the temperature of your white wine is key in making sure you are getting the best taste and experience out of your wine!