Italian Party Planner
Italian food and wine is about a lot more than where they are from or the ingredients. They are about the enjoyment of "la dolce vita". When people gather to eat in Italy it is about celebrating life, friends, family, and culture. Add some Italian flare to your party with these easy tips to engage your senses, tease your tastes, and create the laid-back Italian dining experience that everyone will enjoy.
Primo - Decorazione
Recreate an Italian setting by adding a few elements into your home which capture the essence of Italy.
- Weather permitting, invite guests outdoors on your patio or backyard.
- Open windows and let the natural light in to create the serenity of dining in a Tuscan villa or in an open air Bistro.
- Add large non-scented pillar candles or tapers around your table or social space. Place floating candles in a bowl of water as a centerpiece.
- Have comfortable spaces where people can relax and melt into scene.
- Use fresh flowers and herbs for decorations. Sunflowers, native to Tuscany, provide great color to a room. Place potted herbs on the table or around the room.
- Choose napkins, placemats, or tablecloths which capture the earthy colors of Italy. Embrace colors like terra cotta, Tuscan gold, stucco, eggplant, sage green, olive, and poppy red. Have fun mixing up designs and colors.
- Don't have fancy wine glasses? No problem - most people in Italy enjoy wine in short juice tumblers.
- Decide on your music. Nothing says Italian more then opera or classical. Music by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Luciano Pavarotti or the 3 Tenors are excellent selections.
Secondo - La Cucina Casalinga
"La Cucina Casalinga" translates to "home cooking" and that is what dining Italian is all about. The menu should be approachable and fairly easy and catered to the crowd's enjoyment. Begin the party by always offering your guests a drink. Place open bottles of wine on the table when they arrive or set up a wine bar where your guests can sample Italian varietals.
Antipasto /
Appetizers
Antipasto is the Italian first course and it should be simple, yet flavorful. Prosciutto, cured pork leg, is an Italian staple and easy to find. Prosciutto pairs beautifully with sweet fruit like melon or pear. For an easy antipasto, wrap prosciutto around a slice of melon and add a spring of fresh mint. Olives are another great option. Cerignola olives, either green or black, are very large and sweet in flavor. Gaeta are small black olives which burst with great salty flavor. Place the olives in bowls around the room, set out toothpicks and a pit bowl and everyone will be happy with the result.
Click here for delicious Italian recipes.
Piatti / Entrees
Italians normally have a "primi piatti" or "first course" of soup, pasta, or rice before the "secondi piatti" or entrée. The secondi piatti is normally a meat or fish dish and is typically small because of the "primi piatti". When cooking for a crowd, it’s best to keep it simple, such as homemade pizza (click here for recipe). Pasta is anther option, as it's another Italian staple that can easily serve a crowd. Offer a few different pasta options with different toppings, the most common being tomato or cream.
Click here for delicious Italian recipes.
Insalata / Salad
In Italy, salads are served after the final course. This is because salad cleanses the palate before the desert course and is believed to settle your stomach. Salad is also easy to make and inexpensive, so it will really impress your guests to mix it up and re-arrange the typical order of food courses.
Dolci / Desserts
Desserts or "dolci" are the conclusion to a beautiful meal. Often a typical Italian meal will be followed by a fresh bowl of fruit, but on a special occasion, a little sugar is offered. For entertaining you only need to remember one thing: Tiramisu. Tiramisu is easy to find and is absolutely delicious. Serve it with coffee, usually an espresso, and your guests will be delighted.
Finalmente
Present your guests with a party favor, such as sunflowers, small bottles of olive oil or balsamic vinegar. Even packed up doggie bags will be appreciated. The most important thing is for your guests to leave happy, full, and wanting to come back for another rustic Italian party.
