Buon Appetito! Have Family Style Fun This Summer With Italian Cuisine

"Italy has a rich tradition of pastas, sauces, and cheeses, but there is more to Italian food than pizza and pasta," said Lawry's spokesperson B. Smith, restaurateur and lifestyle expert. "Italian food has exciting regional dishes and festive meals that feature fresh, seasonal, healthy ingredients." Southern Italy is considerably warmer than the north and has a longer growing season. Since tomatoes thrive in hotter climates, dishes with red sauce are more popular in the south ofItaly than in the north. Dishes featuring eggplant also are popular in the southern area for similar climate reasons. However, vegetables like cabbage and black leaf kale need cooler conditions and less sunlight, so they are more likely to be used in dishes hailing from Italy's northern region.

As American cuisine has been impacted by the diverse cultures within its boarders, Italian cuisine has been impacted by foreign influences outside of its boarders. The French, Spanish, and Austro-Hungarian influence on Italian cuisine may be expected given the country's geographical location as a Mediterranean crossroad. But one may also find Jewish, Arab, and African influences in some of the country's dishes.

"Lawry's wants to help families make Italian meals that reflect its rich and varied culinary style," B. Smith said. "Try Lawry's(R) Lemon pepper marinade or the Italian Garlic Steak marinade to flavor the meat used in your meal. If the meal you are planning requires a red sauce, try Lawry's(R) Original Style Spaghetti Sauce."

    Here are some great recipes you can try at home.

                       MARINATED MOZZARELLA & TOMATOES
                                  4 servings
                             Prep Time: 5 minutes

    1/4 cup Bertolli(R) Classico(TM) Olive Oil
    1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar, white balsamic or balsamic vinegar
    2 Tbsp. chopped fresh herbs (such as basil and /or chives)
    1/2 tsp. Lawry's(R) Garlic Salt
    1/2 tsp. Lawry's(R) Seasoned Pepper
    2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
    1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
    10 fresh basil leaves


    1. In small bowl, combine Olive Oil, vinegar, herbs, Lawry's(R) Garlic
       Salt and Seasoned Pepper; set aside.
    2. On serving platter, arrange tomatoes, cheese and basil. Cover and chill
       until ready to serve.
    3. To serve, drizzle with Olive Oil mixture and garnish, if desired, with
       additional chopped fresh basil.


                       GRILLED SAUSAGES & TUSCAN BREAD
                                  4 servings
               Prep Time: 10 minutes     Cook Time: 15 minutes

    1 lb. sweet or hot Italian sausage links
    1/4 cup Bertolli(R) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (optional)
    1/4 tsp. salt
    1/4 tsp. Lawry's(R) Seasoned Pepper
    1 loaf Italian bread (about 16 in. long), cut into 4-inch rolls
    1 large clove garlic, halved
    1 jar (7 oz.) roasted red peppers, drained
    3 ounces thinly sliced fresh mozzarella cheese


    1. Grill or broil sausage, turning frequently, until done; set aside and
       keep warm.
    2. Meanwhile, in small bowl, combine Olive Oil, parsley, salt and Seasoned
       Pepper. Cut rolls in half lengthwise and brush cut half with olive oil
       mixture, then grill until lightly golden. Rub with garlic.
    3. To assemble sandwiches, slice sausage in half lengthwise and arrange on
       bottom half of rolls. Evenly layer each with roasted peppers, then
       cheese. Cover with tops of rolls.


                              EASY SHRIMP SCAMPI
                                  4 servings
                Prep Time: 5 minutes     Cook Time: 5 minutes
                          Marinate Time: 30 minutes

    1/2 cup Lawry's(R) Herb & Garlic Marinade with Lemon Juice
    1 lb. uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
    1 Tbsp. Bertolli(R) Classico(TM) Olive Oil
    1 green onion, finely chopped (optional)


    1. In large non-aluminum baking dish or plastic bag, pour 1/4 cup
       Lawry's(R) Herb & Garlic Marinade With Lemon Juice over shrimp. Cover,
       or close bag, and marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.
    2. Remove shrimp from Marinade, discarding Marinade. In 12-inch nonstick
       skillet, heat Olive Oil over medium-high heat and cook shrimp, stirring
       frequently, 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Stir in remaining 1/4
       cup Marinade and heat through. Stir in green onion.

About Unilever

Unilever (NYSE: UL UN), one of the world's largest consumer products companies, aims to add vitality to life by meeting everyday needs for nutrition, hygiene and personal care. Each day, around the world, consumers make 160 million decisions to purchase Unilever products. The company has a portfolio of brands that make people feel good, look good and get more out of life.

Inthe United States these brands include recognized names such as: Axe, "all," Ben & Jerry's, Bertolli, Breyers, Caress, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Hellmann's, Knorr, Lawry's, Lipton, Popsicle, Promise, Q-Tips, Skippy, Slim-Fast, Snuggle, Suave, Sunsilk and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies. Dedicated to serving consumers and the communities where we live, work and play, Unilever inthe United States employs approximately 13,000 people in more than 60 office and manufacturing sites in 24 states andPuerto Rico -- generating nearly $10 billion in sales in 2006. For more information, visit http://www.unileverusa.com.

SOURCE Lawry's Cooking Up Culture

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