Back at home, we had a simple lunch of rice porridge with some side dishes. We tried to bear in mind that there would be a feast awaiting us at the Pelle's place for dinner tonight.
In the afternoon we went to Charlies so that I could get some cold meats and cheeses for my BBQ on the weekend. I also thought that they would like to have a coffee and cake from the bakery there. Luckily they decided not to have canoles because that's what Marissa was making for dessert!!
We arrived a little early at the Pelle's house so we helped with the final setting of the table and antipasto. With several courses to the dinner, let's get started!
Here's a rundown of a traditional Italian dinner that I found online -
1. L'antipasto - hot and cold appetizers
2. Il primo - ("First Course"), usually consists of a hot dish like pasta, risotto, gnocchi, polenta or soup. There are usually abundant vegetarian options.
3. Il secondo - ("Second Course"), the main dish, usually fish or meat (Pasta is never the main course in a traditional menu). Traditionally veal is the most commonly used meat, at least in the north, though beef has become more popular since World War II and wild game is very popular, particularly in Tuscany.
4. Il contorno - ("Side Dish") may consist of a salad or vegetables. A traditional menu features salad after the main course.
5. Il dolce - Dessert
6. Il caffè - Coffee (espresso)
7. Liquors/liqueurs - (grappa, amaro, limoncello) sometimes referred to as ammazzacaffè ("Coffee killer")
an assortment of Mrs Pelle's homemade antipasto including marinated olives, sundried tomatoes, artichoke, capsicums, mushrooms, etc
grissini sticks wrapped with proscuitto and pancetta
cheeses
chilli mussels
Il primoMrs Pelle's homemade pasta:
spinach & ricotta ravioli with mushrooms in a light creamy sauce
potato gnocci in a tomato sauce with meatballs
Il secondoroast lamb
veal cutlets
roasted eggplant
eggplant parmagiana
roasted carrots, garlic & potato
baked potatoes with herbs
Il contorno
Rocket salad
Il dolcecannoli
profiteroles
candied lemon (made from the lemons Teresa used to make her limoncello)
Il caffè
some of us had a coffee
Liquors
during dinner, we were served with homemade liquors including:
Mr Pelle's grappa & wine
Teresa's limoncello
We had such a wonderful time and most of us were giddy after all the food and liquors we'd consumed throughout the night. I embarrassed myself (as usual) when I heard the zip on the side of my dress split open. That's right...I ate so much, I burst out of my dress.
The Pelles went to so much trouble and we really appreciate it. One thing I have to stress - everything is homemade!!. The pasta, the sauces, the antipasto, the rocket is fresh from the garden.
We loved their hospitality and the food - my god it was a banquet!!
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