Any suggestions for a menu for an Italian Christmas dinner?!
Any suggestions for a menu for an Italian Christmas dinner?
I'd like it to be something that can be cooked ahead so I can enjoy being with my family and friends.
Recipes appreciated.
Thank you!!
Answers:
We are having an Italian Christmas Dinner this year.
We are having Zuppa Tuscana (soup-here is a great recipe for it: http://www.recipezaar.com/9782 ) and Antipasto (salad).
Fried Polenta (appetizer) & Stuffed Olives (appetizer).
We are having Braciole (here's a great recipe: http://www.italianchef.com/braciole.html... and Cheese Stuffed Shells and Focaccia bread for the main course.
You can Google most of these dishes and search recipes to find ones that sound the best to you. We had Braciole a few years back for Christmas Eve and it was a HUGE hit! Everyone loved it. It's a meat dish, and then we make the Cheese Stuffed Shells as the pasta dish. Both can be made ahead of time and then heated in the oven a little bit before it's time to eat.
And then for desert we usually just have Italian Pastries. Sometimes we'll make Flan or Cheesecake or something like that. I think this year I'll make Tiramisu...my favorite!!
Good luck!!
Ostriche alla Livornese: plump oysters baked in their shells (or in small ramekins) with a delectable topping of breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, olive oil, fennel seeds, and a hint of anchovy, served piping hot
Gnocchi di Zucca: an easy-to-make alternative to Italy's traditional Christmas ravioli stuffed with squash, these delicate butternut squash dumplings are made ahead, then warmed in sage-flavored cream and sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and Reggiano Parmesan cheese.
Petto di Tacchino alla Milanese: Turkey is an Italian Christmas tradition as well as an American one! This delicious recipe uses a boned turkey breast instead of a whole turkey; the breast is butterflied and filled with a rich mixture of chestnuts, pancetta, apples, pears, prunes, walnuts, eggs, and Reggiano Parmesan cheese. After the breast is rolled up, it's stuffed under the skin with butter, rosemary, and sage, then roasted until the the meat is tender and the skin golden
Insalata Siciliana: a simple and refreshing winter salad of thinly-sliced fennel bulbs, sliced oranges, red onions, black olives, and extra-virgin olive oil
Torta di Gianduia: a wonderfully decadent cake featuring one of Italy's favorite flavor combinations -- chocolate and hazelnuts. The texture is melt-in-your-mouth and the flavor is intense! We'll serve it with Frangelico whipped cream
agnello al forno (roasted lamb) roasted vegetables(zucchini carciofi patate melanzane) tortellini in brodo con pancetta ripiena bollita nel brodo