Typical recipes of Milan, the complete guide.

Milan is known worldwide for fashion, luxury and art, but it also has an amazing local and regional cuisine.

It is true that the dishes of Lombard cuisine do not have the same international recognition as other Italian dishes such as Neapolitan pizza, southern fried foods or Roman pastas, especially carbonara.

However, there are iconic recipes that bear the name of the Lombard capital, such as milanese, known all over the world.

📌 Also, Lombardy is a land of very high quality cheeses and cured meats, such as: ✔ Grana Padano 🧀 ✔ Gorgonzola 🧀 ✔ Bresaola 🥩

🍽️ The 3 Dishes You Must Try in Milan

If you want an authentic experience, here are three iconic dishes that you will hardly find anywhere else in the world.

🍛 1. Risotto alla milanese

One of the simplest, yet most sophisticated and tasty rice dishes.

📌 Fun fact:. Its vibrant golden color and unique flavor come from saffron.

📜 Legendary origin: In the 16th century, during the construction of the Milan Cathedral, a Flemish master glassmaker named Valerio Diependale, or perhaps his apprentice, began adding saffron to rice as he did to stained glass to stain it yellow.
Thus was born an immortal recipe.

🥩 2. Cotoletta alla milanese # # # **1.

📍 Milan's most iconic dish.

✔ It is a filetta of veal breaded and fried in clarified butter, which gives it a crunchy texture and an unmistakable flavor.
✔ It is traditionally served on the bone, although there are modern versions without it.

📌 Difference from Austrian schnitzel:.

cotoletta is made exclusively with beef, while schnitzel is usually prepared with pork.
The schnitzel is fried in vegetable oil, while cotoletta is fried in butter, which gives it a richer flavor profile.

🍖 3. Ossobuco alla milanese

📍 A classic of Milanese gastronomy.

✔ It is prepared with veal shank cut in thick slices, with the bone in the center containing succulent tuple.
✔ It is slowly cooked in a mixture of white wine, broth and vegetables (onion, carrot and celery).
✔ It is served accompanied by risotto alla milanese, forming a classic combination of local cuisine.

📌 Special touch:. The dish is topped with gremolada, a mixture of garlic, parsley and lemon zest, which gives it a fresh and vibrant aroma.

🌽 Polenta Taragna: The queen of Lombardy winter.

📍 **A typical dish of the mountains of Lombardy, especially in the Valtellina.

✔ It differs from the traditional polenta because it is enriched with abundant butter and cheese (Bitto or Casera).
✔ Its texture is creamier and its flavor more intense and comforting.
✔ It is usually served as an accompaniment to stewed meats, mushrooms or sausages, but it can also be a main dish.

📌 A symbol of Italian alpine cuisine, ideal for cold days.

🍝 Pizzoccheri: The rustic pasta of the Alps.

📍 Specialty of the Valtellina region.

✔ They are a type of short, flat pasta, made with buckwheat flour, which gives them their grayish color and earthy flavor.
✔ They are cooked with potatoes and cabbage (or chard) and then tossed with melted butter, golden garlic and Bitto or Valtellina Casera cheese.

📌 A comforting dish, perfect for winter..