The Republic of Italy has much to offer from romance and art, to culture and literature, eclectic architecture and of course, culinary melt-in-your-mouth dishes, drinks and desserts.
The Renaissance started in Italy which has a population of 61 million people and is home to more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than anywhere else in the world.
The Mediterranean country is an arts and culture heavy weight boasting artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci; fashion brands such as Dolce & Gabanna, Versace, Prada and Valentino; explorers Christopher Columbus and Marco Polo and acclaimed chefs including Antonio Carluccio, Gino D’Acampo and Giada De Lauventiis.
Exuding romance, style and unique chic from every pore, even the Italian language will leave you with goose bumps as one of the few languages in the world where the dullest or even the rudest conversations are music to your ears!
If you want to do it in style, do it in Italian style!
Lo Stivale, as it’s nicknamed describing its boot shape, boasts introducing gelato (ice cream), coffee and fruit pies to the world alongside its globally loved pastas, pizzas and cheeses like parmesan, gorgonzola, mozzarella and ricotta.
The Italians are so passionate about their food that when McDonald’s first opened its doors in the country’s capital Rome in 1986, food purists were outside giving away spaghetti to remind people of their culinary heritage!
Traditional dinners in Italy will include four courses starting with an aperitivo which is a pre-dinner drink mainly enjoyed in Northern Italy.
This is usually served with snack style bites such as traditional appetizer bruschetta (pronounced bru’ sketta) which is thinly sliced bread usually grilled with a drizzle of olive oil and topped with garlic, fresh basil and finely chopped tomatoes. Bruschetta can also be served as a starter dish.Other appetizer would usually include small portions of salami and cheese - perhaps parmesan – olives and bread sticks.
If you’re planning an Italian themed dinner party, the Northern Italian dish risotto is a great creamy course to follow with and the most common way of cooking rice in Italy. An Italian wine such as Pinot Grigio would go down well with this dish.
For dessert, the popular coffee flavoured tiramisu won’t fail to delight your guests perhaps followed by an Italian coffee such as an espresso or cappuccino.
To try some of these recipes click here.
Italian food lovers are most likely to use the Circulon Infinite Chef’s Pan with its rounded edges making stirring and whisking more efficient.
This versatile pan performs well both in the oven and the stove and is made with hard anodized aluminium providing exceptional cooking performance.
It’s also popular as it’s metal utensil safe – no scratches, staining or chipping, find out more about the product here.
To add a touch of art, culture and style to your dinner party to really celebrate the essence of Italy, here are a few tips to add flair, fun and frivolity:
• Invite your guests with specially designed invites
• Ask guests to come dressed wearing their favourite Italian designerwear
• Create fresh and fragrant Italian herb bouquets to dress the table
• Light tall candles in wine bottles for added ambience
• Perhaps decorate your walls with Italian art
If you throw an Italian themed dinner party this summer, your guests will not only be left asking for more per favore, but they’ll find it difficult to say buona notte (good night)!