9Simplicity and Elegance
One of the defining characteristics of Italian food is its simplicity. Most Italian dishes are made with just a handful of ingredients, allowing each one to shine. Recipes like pasta aglio e olio (pasta with garlic and oil) or bruschetta showcase how a few fresh ingredients can create something extraordinary. This minimalistic approach respects the natural flavors of each component and keeps the focus on taste, rather than masking it with complicated techniques.