La Spaghettata
Turn your friends on to an Italian ritual - La Spaghettata di Mezzanotte (Midnight Spaghetti Party).
La Spaghettata Menu:
Spaghetti All'Amatriciana
Crostini with Tuscan Pate
Bruschetta with Tomatoes and Garlic
Selection of Italian Cheeses
Jam Tart
Danzante Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Chianti and Sangiovese
(all recipes serve 6)
Spaghetti All'Amatriciana
About 1 1/2 pounds of Spaghetti
3-4 cloves garlic - chopped
Olive oil
Pancetta (Bacon) - cut into cubes
1 large yellow onion - finely chopped
2 cups canned imported Italian tomatoes (chopped or puree)
Salt
Pepper
Sugar
Basic
Pecorino Romano
Red Wine - Danzante Merlot
Saute the onion and garlic in the olive oil until golden. Add the pancetta and saute until browned. Pour in 1/2 cup of Danzante Merlot, and let reduce completely. Stir in the tomato puree and the salt and pepper to taste. Add a pinch of sugar to neutralize the acid from the tomatoes. Continue to cook until sauce thickens.
Meanwhile, heat the water for the pasta. When it begins to boil, add salt and then the spaghetti. Follow the cooking time indicated on the package, stirring it every once in a while so that it does not stick. Drain the pasta and mix it with the sauce. Serve with grated pecorino romano.
Crostini with Tuscan Pate
4 large chicken livers
4 large yellow onions - chopped
4 anchovy fillets marinated in olive oil
2 tbs capers, drained
Olive oil
Combine everything in a pot and cover completely with the olive oil. Cook over a low flame for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Puree the mixture through a food mill with coarse holes. Spread the Pate on sliced Tuscan or Italian style bread and serve.
Bruschetta with Tomatoes and Garlic
6 garlic cloves
7-8 fresh, ripe plum tomatoes
10 fresh basic leaves
12 slices thick crusted bread, sliced 1/2 inch thick
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt
Fresh ground pepper
Wash the tomatoes and split them in half lengthwise. With the tip of a knife, pick out as many seeds as possible. Dice the tomatoes into1/2 inch cubes. Wash and dry the basil leaves and cut or tear them into small pieces. Preheat the broiler or a grill. Crush the garlic cloves with a heavy knife handle, enough to split them open and to loosen the peel, which you will then remove.
Grill the bread to a golden brown on both sides, and as you take the bread from the grill, rub one side of each slice with the garlic. Top the slices of bread with the diced tomatoes, sprinkle with basil, salt and pepper, and lightly drizzle each slice with olive oil. Serve warm.
Many kinds of vegetable spreads such as olive, artichoke and sun dried tomato, are available in the gourmet section of your grocery store. Pick up a few to spread the grilled bread to add variety to your "Crostini".
Selection of Italian Cheese
Choose your favorite aged or fresh chesses in a local specialty store. Arrange them in wedges on a wooden cutting board.
Jam Tart
2 cups all purpose flour
2 egg yolks
4 oz. Butter
1/2 cup superfine sugar
A pinch of salt
Apricot or blackberry jam
Combine the flour, egg yolks, butter, sugar and salt and blend to a firm, smooth dough. Roll into a ball, flatten, wrap and chill for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350 degree. Roll out 2/3 of the dough on a floured surface. Line a 9" tart pan with the dough. Cover the dough with parchment paper and dried beans or pie weights.
Bake tart shell for 20 minutes, remove beans and parchment. Roll out remaining dough and cut into strips. Fill baked tart shell with jam and top with the lattice strips. Bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
How to Set Up:
To ensure that your "Spaghettata" has a festive, Italian flare, here are some helpful tips:
- Garnish the plates with a sprig of Basil and put out a bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for those who may want to top off their pasta - remember that Italians take their pasta seriously!
- Dim the lights and place candles on the table and around the room.
- Have your friends bring some Italian music to set the mood; Opera to Pop - anything will do.
- If you have a large enough space, serve aperitivo and the crostini in the kitchen so that you can hang out with your friends while the pasta is cooking.
- Pour Danzante and have fun!