Setting the Stage
To set the stage for an Italian feast, you only need a few simple ingredients:
- A simple white tablecloth.
- A basic red table wine.
- Perhaps an Italian opera playing in the background.
- And, most important, good friends and family.
Warning: Do not decorate with the Italian flag or red, white and green colors unless you're trying to recreate the atmosphere of an Italian restaurant, circa 1970, or a pizza parlor!
The Menu
I've selected recipes that come as close as possible to my childhood memories. Unfortunately, nobody can accurately recreate the recipes themselves. Grandma's recipes didn't come from a cookbook. And even though my aunts tried to pry the secrets from my grandmother, they were never exactly the same. But, perhaps by adding a few special traditions of your own, the food will taste just as good.
Antipasto - Assorted Italian style cold meats such as Prosciutto, ham, and hard salamis. Provolone, mozzarella, and other cheeses. Marinated vegetables and roasted red peppers.
Italian Bread
Stracciatella - One of my favorite soups made with chicken broth, eggs and cheese.
Lasagne al Forno - This recipe will fill that little hole in your stomach!
Pollo alla Cacciatora con Funghi - Chicken Cacciatore with Mushrooms
Roman Style Artichokes - Whenever there was a special meal, artichokes would be on the menu. Such a great vegetable for when you've finished most of your meal and just want to nibble a little bit as you socialize.
Salad - Toss crisp, torn lettuce with a dressing made from three parts olive oil to one part balsamic vinegar that has been blended with one crushed garlic clove. Add salt, pepper, and a pinch of Italian dried herbs to taste.
Dessert(s):
Fruit - Begin with a bowl of fresh, seasonal fruit, and a bowl of unshelled nuts (don't forget the nutcracker).
Torta di Ricotta - Italian Cheesecake. My grandmother's recipe didn't have a crust, but this recipe will still show you how different Italian cheesecake is from New York style.
Ginetti - Sweet cookie rings with lemon frosting. These cookies are great any time of the day.
Red Table Wine
