Planning an Italian Dinner party! - Menus and Entertaining

Csara · #1 (**permalink**) 09-29-2006, 03:40 PM

Next weekend, DH and I are hosting an Italian themed dinner party for 8! Any suggestions on what we should make? Feel free to include appetizers, dinner, dessert, etc.

Mommytotwo · #2 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006, 12:37 AM

Garlic bread, ziti, and tiramisu.

meliz · #3 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006, 06:54 AM

Vodka Penne is hands down my fave italian dish, with loads of fresh tomatoes and parm cheese. Super easy for a crowd too. (Recipe bellow)

Bruschetta?

Do you like prosciutto? I hate it, but we were at a party where the host wrapped bite size pieces of cantelope in prosciutto as an app. Personally, I didn't care for it, but it was a huge hit with others. And it looked pretty too.

Stuffed bell peppers? I did this a few weeks ago using ground turkey and rice (no recipe-- just thru in tomatoes, spices and cheese). It was delish I must say. The key is to parboil the peppers for 20 mins before you bake them.

PENNE ALA VODKA

1 lb. Penne pasta
1/2 stick butter
3 cloves garlic, chopped
6 to 7 scallions, chopped
2 cans tomato sauce (15 oz. total) (I use 1 can sauce, one can diced tomatoes, or 2 cups, diced)
1/3 c. vodka
1/4 c. heavy cream
Basil, oregano and pepper to taste

Saute chopped garlic and scallions over low flame with butter. Add tomato sauce, vodka and spices. Let come to boil and simmer 45 minutes. Add heavy cream; cook 10 minutes. Put water up for pasta.

Csara · #4 (**permalink**) 09-30-2006, 10:47 AM

meliz, that penne ala vodka recipe looks amazing! I am definitely making that as part of the dinner. THANKS!

jana · #5 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 03:08 PM

Oooh, that penne does sound good!

What about insalata caprese (mozzarella/tomato/basil salad) for another quick & yummy appetizer?

For dessert, tiramisu and/or gelato!

Csara · #6 (**permalink**) 10-02-2006, 07:32 PM

yum yum! I actually made tiramisu tonight and it turned out super good so I'll probably make it again for Saturday.

meliz · #7 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 08:22 AM

Never tried that... could you post the recipe? Is it tough?

Csara · #8 (**permalink**) 10-03-2006, 09:47 AM

Sure, here is the recipe (which I think I originally got from HT) and it's not very difficult at all:

White Russian Tiramisu
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1/2 cup ground coffee beans
1 3/4 cups cold water
1/4 cup Kahlua (coffee-flavored liqueur) -- divided
1/2 cup mascarpone cheese -- (3-1/2 ounces)
1 block fat-free cream cheese -- (8-ounce) softened (I use lowfat)
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
24 ladyfingers (2 [3-ounce] packages)
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa -- divided

Assemble drip coffeemaker according to manufacturer's directions. Place the ground coffee in the coffee filter or filter basket. Add cold water to coffee maker and brew to make 1-1/2 cups. Combine the brewed coffee and 2 tablespoons Kahlua in a shallow dish, and cool.

Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Beat at high speed of a mixer until smooth. Add sugars and 2 tablespoons Kahlua, and beat until well-blended.

Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise.

Quickly dip 24 ladyfinger halves, flat sides down, into coffee mixture; place, dipped sides down, in the bottom of an 8-inch square baking dish, slightly overlapping ladyfinger halves. Spread half of cheese mixture over ladyfingers; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon cocoa. Repeat procedure with remaining ladyfinger halves, coffee mixture, cheese mixture, and 1 teaspoon cocoa.

Place 1 toothpick in each corner and 1 in the center of tiramisu (to prevent plastic wrap from sticking to cheese mixture); cover with plastic wrap. Chill 2 hours.