Finding Love in Italy Through Food & Daily Life

How to Find an Italian Girlfriend (Yes, It’s Different)

First of all, be prepared.

Italian women are warm, passionate, stylish, and absolutely know what they want.
And they’re usually right.

Rule one: appreciate food. Not just eating it , but talking about it, enjoying it, asking questions about it. If you say you don’t like pasta, pizza, or coffee… well… good luck.

Rule two: show genuine interest. Italian women can spot fake charm from a mile away. Ask about her family, her city, her favourite dish, her favourite place to drink wine, and actually listen.

Rule three: don’t rush – start baking

The Recipe That Helps (Part 2)

Remember that crispy, golden Italian sandwich from your favourite panino place?
That’s the one you’ll need. It`s called schiacciata , it is Tuscan flatbread, crispy on the outside, soft and airy inside, and full of good olive oil.

Just like Italian romance, making schiacciata takes patience, care, and a little effort, but the result is always worth it.

 You’ll need:

• 300 g Manitoba flour
• 200 g all-purpose flour
• 365 ml water, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon dry yeast (or 8 g fresh yeast)
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 11 g salt
• Extra virgin olive oil (don’t be shy)
• Fresh rosemary
• Coarse salt or salt flakes

How to make it:

Mix the flours, yeast, sugar, and salt in a big bowl.
(If you’re using fresh yeast, dissolve it first in a little water.)

Make a little well in the middle and pour in the water.
Stir until you get a soft, sticky dough.
It won’t look perfect.
That’s normal.

Let it rest for about 15 minutes.

Drizzle with olive oil and gently fold the dough a few times.
Cover and let it rise for about an hour, until doubled and happy.

Oil a baking tray generously.
Stretch the dough with your fingers.
Make little dimples all over the surface.

Drizzle with more olive oil.
Add rosemary.
Sprinkle with coarse salt.

Bake until golden, crispy on top, and soft inside.
(about 20–25 minutes at 220°C / 430°F)

Let it cool just enough so you don’t burn your fingers.

Cut.
Share.
Pretend you did it a million times.

Shared with hope your Italian romance gets as good as the food,
Katarina, Cooking Italy

This article is part of our Valentine’s series exploring love, food, and Italian culture.