History of Gelato

The creation of Gelato dates back thousands of years. The earliest findings of frozen desserts dated back all the way to 3000 B.C. During this time Asian cultures realized that they could eat crushed ice and flavorings, and 500 years later it became a custom for Egyptian pharaohs to serve for their guests.

It was not until the Italian Renaissance that the Italian gelato became a tradition. In the late 1500s the famous Medici family of Florence had a feast at their house for the famous architect and artist named Bernardo Buontalenti. Buontalenti had quite the culinary skills and presented to the King a creamy frozen dessert that we now call gelato.

Gelato became extremely popular making its way to countries everywhere. In 1770, gelato finally made its way to America. At this time there were two types of gelato, one that was made by mixing water with fruits and one that was made by mixing milk with cinnamon, pistachio, coffee, and chocolate.  With the technology of hand-crank freezers in America, it made gelato that much better. This freezer changed the way gelato was made forever. When gelato was first created it was granular, but because of the freezer it was able to become creamy due to the liquid mixture constantly being in motion. Due to this, industrial ice cream was made, and gelato soon faded out. It was not until the late 1900s that gelato made a name for itself.

Today, business owners all over the U.S are opening up gelato stores. The natural ingredients and the fantastic quality of gelato is what have made it become so popular today. Although gelato is not nearly as popular in America as it is in other countries, it is starting to become more and more known throughout the United States.

Now that you know the history and the deliciousness of gelato, come to La Bottega of Farmingdale for the most delicious gelato around!

Ciabatta Bread

Paninis have become increasingly popular as a quick on the go lunch or recently gourmet versions stuffed with copious varieties of vegetables, meats and cheeses. These classic italian sandwiches are usually served on ciabatta bread. Ciabatta is an italian white bread said to have been invented in 1982 in a town outside Venice,but today every region of Italy has their own variations. The name literally translates to slipper because of its shape, elongated figure, flat and thick. This bread is made with soft, wet dough made with high gluten flour. The dough is so wet that it's commonly only mixed by machine.The italian starter ingredient, biga, has to sit over night so the production of ciabatta typically takes two days. When finished the chewy loaf develops its signature uneven holes called eyes.Ciabatta has a firm crust, dense crumbs and was created in response to the popular french baguette.

Ciabatta is cooked on a pizza or baking stone usually made of stone or clay that evenly transfers and retains heat, creating a crisp golden brown crust. Because of the sturdiness of the bread it is ideal for toasting paninis. It can easily hold all your favorite fillings and won’t get too soggy with whatever pesto, oil or other sauces you add on top.

Here at La Bottega of Farmingdale most of our paninis are made on ciabatta bread. Try this classic italian bread on our eclectic gourmet paninis like our ferrara with parma ham, mozzarella, spicy roasted red pepper sauce, and tomato our our vegetarian panini with our Bistec E Mozzarella with roasted angus steak, mozzarella, roasted pepper on ciabatta...Think outside the wonder bread and let your taste buds explore!

How Italian Cheeses are Incorporated into Dishes!

Cheese has been apart of the Italian diet for thousands of years. Where would the world of cuisine be without Italian cheeses? Italy has a numerous amount of tasty dishes that incorporate all different types of cheeses. The list of cheeses can go on and on. Some of these cheeses include asiago, fontina, gorgonzola, mascarpone, mozzarella, parmigiano-reggiano, provolone, pecorino, and ricotta.  

Mozzarella cheese is a fan favorite. Fried mozzarella is a Southern Italian classic, which is perfect for a summer course. It includes mozzarella, egg, bread crumbs, and oil. This simple dish is a quick preparation that will leave your guests feeling full and happy.

A famous italian dish is antipasti. It’s usually served as an appetizer and is gone within seconds! Antipasti includes an arrayment of foods like bruschetta, salami, pepperoni, olives, and most importantly mozzarella and provolone. This can vary as the chef can swap different cheeses as they please.

Torta di Formaggio is a savory cheese pie. The ingredients consist of puff pastry, mixed cheeses including fontina, ricotta, and parmigiano-reggiano, italian sausage, eggs, spinach, minced garlic, and freshly ground pepper. The prep time for this dish is around an hour but it is worth every second!

Everyone loves a nice ravioli dish. Ravioli is a delicious pasta dish that usually combines ricotta cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, provolone cheese, egg and parsley into the mix of the dough. You can never go wrong with a yummy ravioli dish with marinara sauce.

Italian cheeses are sure to throw your taste buds a party. Top any dish with some parmigiano and it will top of the dish! Many probably don’t realize how much they love Italian cheeses. They are used in so many dishes, not even limited to only Italian food.

La Bottega of Farmingdale is a great example of an Italian restaurant who knows all the wonderful way to properly use Italian cheeses.  Whether it be in a salad, soup, or sandwich we know the best way to pair a great cheese with a lovely meal.  Be sure to stop into La Bottega of Farmingdale and try for yourself.

Eating In Farmingdale

Farmingdale is filled with restaurants offering all different types of food from Mexican to Pub food to Chinese. If you are looking for a fresh delicious sandwich, La Bottega of Farmingdale is the place to go! At La Bottega of Farmingdale, the service is just like their food, phenomenal. Whether it is lunch or dinner, La Bottega of Farmingdale has got you covered. From their sandwiches to their sides, you will not find better food than this. Everyone has a different taste for food that is why at La Bottega of Farmingdale, they offer a variety of different paninis filled with different foods to meet each customer’s taste buds. They also offer many different soups and salads if you may not be in the mood for a sandwich. You will not find fresher and tastier food than you will here. La Bottega of Farmingdale prides themselves on having fresh food and being nutritious. If you are like most people today, you do not want to put processed, unhealthy foods in your body but also want tasty food. That’s why La Bottega of Farmingdale is the place to go!

Feel like going out for dinner? Perfect, La Bottega of Farmingdale is ready to serve you. Don’t feel like cooking and also don’t feel like going out? Perfect again, La Bottega of Farmingdale will deliver your food right to your house. Are you throwing a party and want your guests to indulge in some delicious food? La Bottega of Farmingdale will cater!

So go to La Bottega of Farmingdale today and treat yourself to the most delicious food Farmingdale has to offer, you won’t be disappointed!

Energy Level After Fast food vs. Fresh Foods

 

  

We have always been told that fresh foods are better for us than fast food, but have you ever wondered why? What makes fresh food better and what effect does it actually have on our bodies? There are many ingredients in fast foods that increase health risk as well as decrease our energy level throughout the day.

One of the main effects fresh foods have on our bodies are, our energy level. Our energy level depends a lot on what we put in our bodies. Eating fresh foods makes you burn more calories, which in turn gives you more energy and keeps you healthy. Fresh foods are foods that are found in nature. They provide us with the natural nutrients we need to have a high energy level and good health. After eating fast food or fried food, your energy level is more than likely going to be low and you will not feel like doing much with your day. This is due to the processing that the foods go through before it becomes your meal. It has added fat, trans fat, sugar, and sodium. These are all key ingredients to an unhealthy meal. An increase in these ingredients is what’s responsible for common diseases such as heart disease and obesity. After you eat fresh foods you will feel as if you can take on the day and get everything you had planned to get done, completed.

At La Bottega, we pride ourselves on providing our customers with delicious fresh foods. It is our goal to deliver you the foods that are not only delicious, but are healthy and make you feel good. Our seasonal ingredients make our meals that much fresher and healthier for everyone to enjoy.

History of the Panini

Paninis have become a very popular lunch time favorite. Originally Italian panino means "small bread, bread roll", today paninis are available in a variety of cuisines. Paninis are really just sandwiches usually pressed down toasted in a panini press. With countless filings, paninis typically come warm on a ciabatta, focaccia, baguette or rosetta roll. Here at La Bottega we’ve made it our mission to provide an excellent panini for whatever you’re in the mood for. Steak, chicken, shrimp, ham, veggies- guacamole, salsa aioli, balsamic, broccoli rabe, marinara sauce and countless other toppings and cheeses we have you covered with dozens and dozens of paninis on our menu.

Originally, the panini was invented for working class Italians who needed something easy to take with them to lunch. The panini usually consisted of cured meats like salami or prosciutto that did not need to be refrigerated, on a rustic bread. Paninis usually weren't toasted like they are today and were eaten as a snack or quick meal on the go. As far back 1956 the panini has been referenced in America. These trendy italian sandwiches became such in Milan bars called paninoteche, in the 1970s and ‘80s. Not long after U.S. restaurants caught the trend and started selling paninis, particularly in New York.

Grab it on the go or come in and take a seat. We have over 50 paninis from our foggia with eggplant and smoked mozzarella to our como with prosciutto and fontina or even a seafood version with our spolento with shrimp and guacamole. Whatever you’re in the mood for we have a panini for every palette.

Summer Ingredients

We can finally say that Spring and Summer are almost here! Birds are chirping and the sun is fighting its way out behind the grey clouds of winter. This means summer crops are on the rise and a whole new variety of fruits and vegetables are going to be available. Foods like berries, peaches, snap beans, corn, cucumbers, melons, peppers, tomatoes, herbs and squash will be ripe and in season.

With new crops comes new nutrients your body has probably been deprived from this long winter. Vegetables like tomatoes are an excellent source vitamin C, biotin, molybdenum, and vitamin K. They are also a very good source of copper, potassium, manganese, dietary fiber and phosphorus. Cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. Basil is extremely high in vitamin k and manganese. Basil is also a very good source of copper, vitamin A and vitamin C. Peppers have an outstanding source of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant  properties. Bell peppers are an excellent source of vitamin A,C, B6. They are a very good source of folate, vitamin E, dietary fiber, vitamin B2, and potassium. Additionally, they are a good source of vitamin K, manganese, vitamin B1, phosphorus, and magnesium. Of course all vegetables have their health benefits but its interesting and important to see where you may want to switch it up in your next meal.

La Bottega has you covered with a wide variety of menu options featuring tomato, basil, eggplant, cucumbers, peppers and more! Our stagione salad with tomatoes and cucumbers, Rucola e farro with grilled chicken tomatoes and peppers, or our Sicilia panini with roasted peppers and eggplant are amongst many many more in-season options that will satisfy a summer crop craving. Come in and check out the best crops of the season on a hearty salad or a panini that will hit the spot.