Italian Dinner for 10

After we returned from Rome last October, I became obsessed with Italian food and decided I was going to have a dinner party with several courses.  The idea would be that I would serve a course, what was left over went to the buffet and then the next course would be served.  I wanted a lot of passing of plates and getting up for more of this or that.  Lots of wine and conversation.  One of our friends does not eat red meat.  I took this into consideration, making sure she had something to enjoy with every course.  So, I invited 9 people and went to work on the menu.  I figured I wouldn’t actually sit at the table because I’d be in the kitchen for a large part of the meal. 

Suddenly it occurred to me.  I don’t have ten dining table chairs.  I only have eight matching dinner plates.  I don’t have more than three wine glasses that match.  Oh, damn.  Now what?  Luckily, my friends were all anxious to chip in.  I borrowed chairs and antipasti plates from one friend.  From another I borrowed dinner plates, silverware, wine glasses and a whole 8 hours of her time.  My friend Lori ended up being my sous chef and spent that Friday cooking with me and prepping everything we could for Saturday’s dinner.  What a life saver!  My banner photo is a picture of the table set ready for the antipasti.  Here was the menu…

Antipasti
Seafood Salad of Squid, Scallops, Shrimp and Mussels
Tomato Salsa Crudo
Marinated Fresh Mozzarella in Olive Oil and Garlic
Olives Stuffed with Sundried Tomatoes
Rosemary Bread
Blue Cheese and Pancetta Dip
Pesto
Fresh Heirloom Tomatoes and 25 Year Aged Balsamic
Breadsticks

Primo
Lasagna with Bolognese Sauce

Secondi
Whole Chicken Stuffed with Ground Beef and Parmesan
Sicilian Fish Stew
Braciole
(Rolled Stuffed Beef Scallopini with Prosciutto and Provolone in Tomato Sauce)

Contorno & Insalata
Boiled Rice with Mozzarella and Basil
Mixed Greens with Creamy Parmesan Dressing

Dolce
Zuppa Inglese Gelato
Cheese Tray with Honey and Pinenuts
(Manchego, Gorgonzola, Pecorino Romano & Taleggio)

 

My guests brought most of the wine.  I put a tub of ice filled with bottled water on the bar.  We ate for four hours.  It was a fabulous time for me because, thanks to my friend Lori’s help, I barely had to do anything but just serve the courses.  Almost everything was done ahead of time, which just goes to show that if you spend two months planning a dinner party it just might work out.  Even if you don’t have enough chairs or dishes or glasses or silverware…

Above:  A little rest and gearing up for the Secondi…