Warm up an otherwise cold January evening by gathering a few close friends for supper. Stoke up the fireplace, turn on Paolo Conte, light a zillion candles, and feast on Italian comfort food.
A casual, mostly do-ahead menu lets you be with your guests, instead of the stove:
Bagna Cauda Piedmontese
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Steamed Clams with White Wine & Fresh Herbs
Grilled Bread
Braised Rosemary Chicken with Olives, Capers & Raisins
Creamy Polenta
Arugula with Shaved Parmesan & Toasted Walnuts
Fonterutoli Chianti Classico
Antinori Peppoli
Stripper Affogato
Double Cherry Chocolate Biscotti
Begin the evening with a glass of chilled Vernaccia and Bagna Cauda Piedmontese, a warm, garlicky olive oil dip for fresh vegetables. Vernaccia is a nice choice -- its olive oil and almond scent pairs quite well with bagna cauda.
Clams steamed in white wine, tomatoes, garlic & a handful of fresh herbs make a light, savory first course. Passed around family-style, this dish really adds to the conviviality of the evening. Serve lots of grilled bread to sop up every last drop of broth. Also, place one or two small bowls in the center of the table to collect empty clam shells.
Anything braised is appropos for January -- braised rosemary chicken legs with raisins, capers, and green olives is a dish with great depth as well as interesting flavors. Creamy polenta and a simple arugula salad with shaved Parmesan and walnuts complete the course. Look for a simple Italian red wine to accompany this dish - something earthy, not overtly fruity, with enough acid to match the tomato sauce. Fonterutoli Chianti Classico has good acidity along with earthy, herbaceous, leathery, spicy notes -- perfect with the olives, capers and rosemary. Antinori Peppoli is another good bet.
An affogato di gelato, or "gelato drowned with espresso", is a simple, entertaining finish to any meal. Ah, but an affogato presented in a stripper shot glass procured from the Las Vegas airport, is something to behold. And, served with a biscotti “stripper pole” -- well, that just spins it right over the top.
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