For all of the seafood lovers out there, chef Matteo has created a savory, citrus marinade for shrimp and squid using our Academia Barilla Sapori Italiani herb mix , Sea Salt with Blood Orange Zest and delicate Ligurian extra virgin olive oil, which is guaranteed to really get your mouths watering.

If chicken and turkey are more your cup of tea, try rubbing the meat with olive oil and Sapori Italiani herb mix and allowing it to marinate for at least 10 minutes in the fridge. The added herbs really work nicely on the grill, giving the meat an extra, unexpected kick.

And if you are planning to invite any Italians to your summertime festivities, consider serving grilled pork chops – a classic Italian summer dish that will make your guests feel at home. The garlic marinade described by chef Matteo can certainly stand up to the heat of the grill.

And our team of trusty cooks has even found a way to incorporate one of our favorite ingredients – Balsamic Vinegar Must – in a savory, yet sweet, marinade to be used on lamb. The acidity of the vinegar brings out the flavor of the meat and will be sure to be a crowd pleaser.

We hope that you enjoy these recipes as much as we do. Try them out at your next BBQ and let us know what you think.

Have a good summer and get cooking!

INGREDIENTS
GRILLED FISH, SERVES 4
2 lb shrimp
2 lb squid
Marinade for Shrimp and Squid
1 lb breadcrumbs
⅜ oz Academia Barilla Sapori Italiani mix
1 clove of garlic, chopped
2 ½ oz Academia Barilla Riviera Ligure DOP Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil
Academia Barilla Natural Sea Salt with Blood Orange Zest to taste

GRILLED MEAT, SERVES 4
1 lb chicken breasts
1 lb turkey
2 lb pork chops
8 lamb chops
Marinade for Chicken and Turkey
¾ oz Academia Barilla Sapori Italiani mix
3 oz Academia Barilla Monti Iblei DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Marinade for Pork Chops
3 oz Academia Barilla IGP Toscano Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 cloves of garlic
2 sprigs thyme
Marinade for Lamb Chops
1 ¾ oz Academia Barilla Monti Iblei DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 ½ oz Academia Barilla Balsamic Must of Modena - aged 8 years

PREPARATION
1 hour preparation

GRILLED FISH, SERVES 4
Marinade and Cooking Instructions for Shrimp and Squid
Mix all of the ingredients needed for breading the shrimp and squid together in a large bowl: breadcrumbs, Academia Barilla Sapori Italiani herb mix, chopped garlic, Sea Salt with Blood Orange Zest and Academia Barilla Riviera Ligure DOP Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Once the shrimp are clean, skewer and bread the shrimp. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. To clean the squid, remove the tentacles and clean the inside of the body well. Put them on a skewer and gently cover them with the breadcrumb mixture. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Drizzle the shrimp and squid skewers with Academia Barilla Rviera Ligure DOP extra virgin olive oil, and cook the skewers on a hot grill, about 2 minutes per side. When done, sprinkle with a pinch of Academia Barilla Sea Salt with Blood Orange Zest and serve.

GRILLED MEAT, SERVES 4
Marinade and Cooking Instructions for Chicken and Turkey
Mix the Academia Barilla Monti Iblei DOP extra virgin olive oil with the Academia Barilla Sapori Italiani herb mix, and rub the mixture on the chicken and turkey. Marinate for at least 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Before grilling the meat, it is best to bring it to room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator 10 minutes before cooking. The meat should be grilled for about 5 minutes, depending on its weight. At the end, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and serve.

Marinade and Cooking Instructions for Pork Chops
Pick off thyme leaves and slice garlic. Rub the pork chops with Academia Barilla IGP Toscano extra virgin olive oil and thyme. 

Then place the fresh garlic slices on top. Allow it to marinate for at least 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. To avoid burning the garlic and thyme during cooking, it is best to remove them from the meat before grilling. Also, the meat should be left at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before cooking. Grill the meat for about 10 to 15 minutes. Once cooked, slice the ribs and serve. 
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Marinade and Cooking Instructions for Lamb Chops
Marinate the lamb chops with Academia Barilla Balsamic Must and Monti Iblei DOP extra virgin olive oil for at least 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator. 
Before cooking the lamb, keep at room temperature for at least 10 minutes. 
Grill the meat for 5 to 6 minutes and serve. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Final post on the new series of Italian gourmet Season Gift Sets from Academia Barilla, the new line Italy-in-a-box.

A true taste of Italian gastronomic culture, an experience that will evoke all your Italian food lover senses, Italy-in-a-Box is also a journey across the findings of
 Academia Barilla’s continue research into the gastronomic and cultural identities of the different regions of Italy.

Get this limited edition of gastronomic gems as a treat to yourself or as a gift to others, and get a selection of the best Italian regional products, simple and original tips for bringing the Italian flavor to your kitchen and your table, all with limited edition confections that can be personalized according to your taste.

Today we close our presentation of the gift set collection introducing other four Italy-in-a-Box gift sets: The Connoisseur’s Collection, Simply Tuscan, Artisanal Compote Trio, and Salt and Salt.

CONNOISSEUR’S COLLECTION

The Connoisseur’s Collection Gift Set is the perfect opportunity to explore first-class products and it is also perfect for food lovers on a quest to find new, exclusive products and flavors, and for those who love recipes that invigorate the senses. Ideal gift for a complete tasting of the best of Italian gastronomy.

The Connoisseur’s Collection Gift Set contains: • 1 Professional black apron in cotton • 1 Parmigiano Reggiano cheese knife • 1 Bottle of Balsamic Must • 1 Bottle of Extra virgin olive oil Riviera Ligure D.O.P. • 1 Shape of 2,2 lb in vacuum bag of Parmigiano Reggiano aged 18 months minimum • 1 Jar of Fresh pears with balsamic vinegar of Modena • 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh orange zest • 1 Jar of Sapori Italiani, mix of capers, olives and oregano • 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Connoisseur’s Collection Gift Set will be available at the Academia Barilla online store soon.

TUSCANY-IN-A-BOX

The Simply Tuscan Gift Set is a tribute to those who are genuine and authentic like the oldest and well-renowned recipe for traditional Tuscan soup.

Simply Tuscan Gift Set contains: • 1 Bottle of Unfiltered extra virgin olive oil
 • 1 Tuscan soup, mix of precooked lentils, wheat and spelt with Italian Soffritto and Tuscan herbs 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh olives 
• 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Simply Tuscan Box Set is now available at the Academia Barilla online store.

ARTISANAL COMPOTE TRIO

Three traditional compotes are perfect compliments to a variety of different cheeses, meats, and desserts. The Artisanal Compote Trio Set is a perfect combination of tradition, innovation, and elegance.

The Artisanal Compote Trio Gift Set 
contains: 
• 1 Jar of Fresh pears with balsamic vinegar of Modena 
• 1 Jar of Spicy fig compote 
• 1 Jar of Chianti jelly 
• 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Artisanal Compote Trio Gift Set will be available at the Academia Barilla online store soon.

SALT AND SALT

Salt and Salt Gift Set is a small but wonderful combination of the best natural sea salt blended with either fresh Sicilian blood orange zest or pieces of Sicilian black olives. These unique combination of flavors add exciting new twists to any dish, to celebrate the wonderful aromas from Sicily’s citrus orchards and olive groves.

Salt and Salt Gift Set contains: • 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh orange zest
 • 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh black olives 
• 1 Steel teaspoon
 • 1 Glass cup
 • 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Salt and Salt Gift Set will be available at the Academia Barilla online store soon.

The Italy-in-a-Box collection is available at the Academia Barilla online store, just a click and two shipping days away from you!

Today we introduce four new Italy-in-a-Box Italian gourmet gift boxes: Food Lovers’ Classic, Cheese Lover’s Knife Set, The Ultimate Bruschetta Party and Giada De Laurentiis Selected by Academia Barilla.

All these luxury gift sets are included in the latest Academia Barilla collection of luxury Italian gastronomy gift boxes, a limited edition gift set series, and contain authentic Italian food specialties from the Academia Barilla gourmet food collection.

FOOD LOVERS’ CLASSIC

Food Lovers’ Classic is a refined gift set includes an exclusive assortment of classic products from different regions of Italy and serves as a wonderful, compact alternative to any conventional gift basket. An exclusive gift set to savor authentic Italian delicacies in countless ways.

Food Lover’s Classic Gift Box contains: • 1 Bottle of Extra virgin olive oil 100% Italiano
 • 1 Jar of Sicilian cherry tomato topping
 • 1 Jar of Spicy Sicilian cherry tomato topping 
• 1 Jar of Sapori Italiani, mix of capers, olives and oregano 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh orange zest 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh olives 
• 1 Jar of Pesto alla Genovese 
• 1 Bottle of “Aged” Balsamic vinegar of Modena 
• 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Food Lover’s Classic gift set will be available at the Academia Barilla online store soon.

CHEESE LOVER’S KNIFE SET

The Cheese Lover’s Knife Set is a refined set composed of 3 knives designed specifically for cheeses, with different consistencies. Japanese steel, hand
forged blade with mirrored finishing, hand-sharpened. A perfect gift idea for cheese lovers!

The Cheese Lover’s Set contains: • Knife for grana cheeses • Knife for hard cheeses • Knife for soft cheeses

Academia Barilla Cheese Lover’s Knife gift set is now available at the Academia Barilla online store.

ITALIAN PARTY IN A BOX

The Ultimate Bruschetta Party Gift Box is a fresh and trendy gift idea! This fantastic set helps create delicious bruschetta, pasta, pizza party, and Italian aperitivo. This extraordinary assortment of products helps create appetizing plates that will surely add to the success of any party.

The Ultimate Bruschetta Party Gift Box contains: • 1 Bottle of extra virgin olive oil 100% Italiano 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian cherry tomato topping 
• 1 Jar of Spicy Sicilian cherry tomato topping 
• 1 Jar of Sapori Italiani, mix of capers, olives and oregano 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh olives
 • 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Ultimate Bruschetta Party gift set is now available at the Academia Barilla online store.

DINNER WITH GIADA

An accurate selection of the best Italian products signed by Celebrity Chef Giada de Laurentiis and included in the Giada De Laurentiis Selected by Academia Barilla gourmet product line. The Essentials of everyday Italian cuisine.

Dinner with Giada Gift Box contains: • 1 Bottle of Extra virgin olive oil 100% Italiano
 • 1 Bottle of Balsamic vinegar of Modena
 • 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh lemon zest 
• 1 Jar of Giada’s Tuscan herbs 
• 2 Glass cup 
• 1 Mini-Recipe

Giada De Laurentiis Selected by Academia Barilla gift set will be available at the Academia Barilla online store soon.

More Italy-in-a-Box soon! If you are too curious and can’t wait for the next post, we suggest you go have a look at the Academia Barilla online shop!

The Italian Food Lovers Chef Network keeps growing, and today we are proud to introduce a new Guest Chef: Chef John Franchetti from Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar in Santa Rosa, California.

We had an email chat with John in California and learned a few things about hisChef experience and insight, that started in 1981, when John met the American celebrity Chef, restaurateur, television personality and cookbook author Chef Emeril Lagasse, really liked what he was doing, and decided he was going to follow the same path into a gourmet Chef career.

As he wrote about his Chef experience in an email:

My experience started with Commanders Palace, and Emerils in NOLA, from there I worked doing catering in Rhode Island.

Then I moved to Alaska where I hooked up with my bride to be and I got involved in her restaurant and became a perfect match for us.

Years later we moved back to my home town and started the process of finding a another person that has the same vision that we have to begin the restaurant building together. We found Kevin Cronin who we felt has the same ideals and passion that we do and he was too looking, from that Rosso Pizzeria was born.

For Chef Franchetti, recipient of the Anchorage Alaska Best Chef and Best Restaurant, Santa Rosa Best New Restaurant and San Francisco top 100 Restaurants awards, his secret ingredient in being a top Chef is “doing what you want or believe in with the food, not tring to be something or someone else“.

Chef Franchetti’s favorite food is seafood, his favorite cookbook is The Meat cookbook, by Bruce Ideal, and his favorite cooking style is, according to his own definition, regional cooking with Italian influence.

About Italian cuisine Chef Franchetti says “I believe that Italian cooking is regional and traditional with a whole lot of opinions about its true origin, but with a strong focus on seasonality“. We also like his definition of Italian gourmet: “crafted and harvested regional items and products“, pretty much like the Academia Barilla gourmet food products, which Chef Franchetti uses every day at Rosso Pizzeria.

His experience with Academia Barilla products from a Chef standpoint is, as he told us:

I currently use pecorino cheese, balsamics, and salamis. These gourmet products create a uniqueness to what we are doing here at Rosso Pizzeria. The flavor profile on all products are balanced to go on their own or combined with other products, which is what we keeping doing at Rosso Pizzeria.

The address to Rosso Pizzeria and Wine Bar is Creekside Center, 53 Montgomery Drive, Santa Rosa, California 95404.

You can reach John and the Rosso Pizzeria crew also through the restaurant website Rossopizzeria.com or calling Rosso Pizzeria’s +1 707 544 3221 phone contact for info and reservations.

View a larger map on Google Maps

Thank you to John for joining our Italian Food Lovers Chef Network. We will publish Chef Franchetti’s first Chef Network gourmet recipe tomorrow, keep following our blog!

Italy-in-a-box is not the ordinary, typical gift box. First of all, it actually comes in a box, a very elegant and refined luxury one, holding the true taste of Italian gastronomic culture, an experience that will truly evoke all your senses.

Italy-in-a-box is a journey across the findings of Academia Barilla continue research into the gastronomic and cultural identities of the different regions of Italy. A limited edition of gastronomic gems that will surely bring happiness to both the sender and receiver of this set.

All Italy-in-a-box gastronomy sets contains a selection of the best Italian regional products, simple and original tips for bringing the Italian flavor to your kitchen and your table, and come in refined and limited edition packaging that can be customized according to your taste.

Let’s explore the first gift boxes with this post, we’ll explore more later. Today we have in front of us three nice gift idea choices within the Italy-in-a-box collection: Discovering Parmigiano, Simply Italian and Beauty In and Out!

DISCOVERING PARMIGIANO

For all those who have a strong appetite for the King of cheeses, this gift set proposes fun, innovative yet traditional ways with balsamic must to coordinate Parmigiano Reggiano with other delectable products and truly savor the cheese’s exceptional taste. Try it with the sweet, spicy and sweet and savour flavor of the Academia Barilla compotes!

Discovering Parmigiano Gift Box contains: • 1 Shape of 2,2 lb in vacuum bag of Parmigiano Reggiano aged 18 months minimum 
• 1 Jar of Fresh pears and balsamic vinegar of Modena 
• 1 Bottle of Balsamic must
 • 1 Parmigiano Reggiano cheese knife 
• 1 Jar of Spicy fig compote 
• 1 Jar of Chianti jelly
 • 1 Mini-Recipe

Academia Barilla Discovering Parmigiano gift set will be available soon at the Academia Barilla online store.

SIMPLY ITALIAN

Tradition, simplicity, romance. The Simply Italian collection of authentic recipes is perfect for those who love tastes and aromas of simple dishes that showcase the unique flavours of all the different ingredients used by a simply and traditional pinzimonio recipe of fresh vegetables.

Simply Italian Gift Box contains: • 1 Bottle of Extra virgin olive oil 100% italiano
 • 1 Bottle of “Aged” Balsamic vinegar of Modena 
• 1 Jar of Sicilian sea salt with fresh olives 
• 2 Steel teaspoon 
• 2 Glass cup
 • 1 Mini-Recipe

Buy Academia Barilla Simply Italian gift set at this link.

BEAUTY AND HEALTH IN A BOX

This food and beauty gift set will amaze all Italian Food Lovers on the quest for new beauty and health secrets. Using Academia Barilla products, ingredients typical of the Mediterranean diet, these beauty products are a truly creative way to achieve an all-round well-being.

Beauty In and Out Gift Box contains: • 1 Shower Gel with pears, D.O.P. Monti Iblei extra virgin olive oil, vitamin E and thermal water
 • 1 Hands Cream with I.G.P. Toscano extra virgin olive oil and thermal water
 • 1 Night Cream with D.O.P. Monti Iblei extra virgin olive oil and thermal water 
• 1 Day Cream with D.O.P. Riviera Ligure extra virgin olive oil and thermal water 
• 1 Red orange Scrub with sea salt, orange, D.O.P. Monti Iblei extra virgin olive oil and thermal water

Academia Barilla Beauty In and Out gift set will be available soon at the Academia Barilla online store.  

Stay with us for the next blog posts, where we’ll introduce the other Italian gourmet gift ideas for Italian Food Lovers’ Season, which is year-round! Yes, because Italy-in-a-box collection is available year-round at the Academia Barilla online shop, just a click away from here!