No social gathering is complete without food and drinks; the Italians know this very well. An average Italian Dinner Party is about connecting with friends and family over good food and drinks. It is built into their culture; when they do so, they usually go out all out. Fall is approaching, and there is no better time to plan friendly dinner parties for Halloween or Thanksgiving. An authentic Italian is the best choice if you are going for the perfect dinner party. Let us show you how to create one at home.
How To Go About It?
An authentic Italian dinner party tends to manifest in the form of a nine-course meal, namely;
- Aperitivo or Appetizer.
- Antipasti.
- Il Primo
- Il Secondo.
- Il Contorno.
- Insalata.
- Formaggi E Frutta.
- Dolce and
- Caffè e digestivo.
All these constitute an authentic Italian dinner, but other parts or activities make it up, such as table setting and wine tasting. Let’s look at what all these courses mean individually and what you will need to set them up, starting with the table or La Tavola.
La Tavola.
The first thing to take care of for any dinner party is the table setting or la tavola, which is also the foundation of any authentic Italian dinner party. Setting a table is about determining the right way to set plates and utensils for the meal. Various social norms should be followed, such as placing couples next to one another and warring family members on opposite ends. Another thing to note when setting the table is that water and wine should be placed on the table, and ample space should be in the center, with large plates and bowls for self-serving.
Antipasti or Apperitivo.
Antipasti or L’antipasto is the English equivalent of nibbles that serve as something to occupy guests before the main dish arrives. An antipasti is usually in the form of cured meats and hams eaten with bread or breadsticks. They are typically served on wooden boards next to bowls with olive oil and parmesan cheese. On the other hand, you have the apperitivo, which is usually a drink with salty snacks meant to stimulate your appetite for dinner. A type of apperitivo is the Negroni or Aperol spritz
Il Vino.
You can only have an authentic Italian dinner party with some wine or Il vino. Wine is an integral part of the culture and is usually sampled before or during the main course. There is a rule: Red wine is served with red meat, and white wine is served with chicken or fish.
Il Cobe
Now that we are past the antipasti and apperitivo, we come to the il code or food. This consists of up to five parts of the nine-course meal. It is ussually comprised of the Il primo, il secondo, il contorni, insalata and formaggi e frutta. Il primo and il secondo refer to the first and second portions. The first portion usually comprises pasta served in small portions, such as ravioli with creamy butter or some creamy carbonara. The second portion is often a meat or fish dish such as porchetta, roast chicken, or some grilled fish drizzled with olive oil. But the Il secondo cannot be complete without some sides or Il contorni. A side can come in any form, such as fried or boiled potatoes and some cooked vegetables. If your sides don’t contain vegetables, you can opt for Insalata or salad to make your meals healthier.
Formaggi e Frutta.
After eating a salad, you should eat some fruits or cheese to get your full complement of vitamins and cleanse your taste palate.
Dulce and Caffe e digestivo.
To cap off your culinary journey, you need to leave room for dessert, or dulce, as it is referred to. For an authentic Italian dinner, you can never go wrong with some tiramisu cake for dessert. Still, an authentic Italian dinner party isn’t complete without some after-meal coffee or caffe e digestivo to help you digest after a big meal such as this.
Host Your Authentic Italian Dinner Party with Quattro Boston
Ready to bring the flavors of Italy to your home? Let Quattro Boston help you create an unforgettable Italian dinner party. With our authentic recipes and expert tips, you can impress your guests with a genuine Italian dining experience. Whether setting the perfect table or crafting a multi-course meal, we’ve got you covered.
Contact Quattro Boston today for a custom menu or catering options that will elevate your dinner party to the next level. Visit our North End location or explore our website for more inspiration. Buon Appetito!