In the summer, this is fresh basil and in the winter it is dried basil. There are some exceptions. The salad of fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, called Caprese Salad originated in Campagna which is southern Italy but it uses basil. Southern Italian tomato dishes and sauces, including pizza sauces, are always flavored with Oregano. Or you can keep it and use it to flavor soups if you like.
Pepper is always freshly grated onto the food.
Fresh ingredients are essential. Don't buy vegetables unless you plan to use them all in the next two days. Butter is not spread on bread. The exception to this is buttered toast with smoked salmon served on top of it. Americans have invented tomato cream sauce.