italian dinner

although these are not my recipes and this was not my meal (except in that i had the good fortune to eat it), i thought i would get things going on our blog and share the few pictures i had from lucia's wonderful dinner party.  in retrospect of creating a blog, i wish i had taken more...

we were all ever so lucky to be together and have an amazing meal served by our very own italian mama.  (if i make any mistakes in my descriptions of any recipe and process, please correct me, lucia...)

our gracious host and hostess started us all with wine, bread and olive oil, to be followed shortly thereafter by the most fabulous little homemade tarts.  

tart shell -     3/4 cups flour

pinch salt

2 1/2 oz. cold butter, cut into squares

cold water (as needed)

mix ingredients in a stand mixer, dump out onto floured surface, knead a bit, roll out, cut circles, press into cupcake pan (or any tart dish), if so inclined, use parchment paper and pie weights to prevent bubbles (overrated...) and then freeze for 1/2 hour.  bake at 400 for 10 minutes (or, as needed according to size of pan - this was for the cupcake pan).  fill with whatever goodies your heart desires.  lucia used goat cheese in the bottom of each, and then any combination of tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms (sauteed in olive oil and lemon juice), roasted red peppers and topped with parmesan and basil.  put back in the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or as needed... once again.  i guess i like the phrase "as needed"...

dinner was spaghetti and meatballs... sauce and meatballs, homemade, of course.

and for dessert... pannacotta sprinkled with chili chocolate and blackberries.  to die for.  

lucia's panna cotta -  1 1/2 tsp. powdered gelatin

1/4 cup cold milk (a little less than even)

3 cups cream (do you hear that booty jiggling?)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

butter 6-8 ramekins and set aside.  sprinkle gelatin over top of cold milk and let sit.  combine cream, sugar and vanilla and heat on stove until just steaming.  remove from heat and whisk in gelatin/milk mixture.  let cool.  pour through sieve and divide among ramekins.  put in refrigerator and let chill for about 2 hours (? - luch, you might want to help on this...).  turn out onto a plate, sprinkle with shaved chocolate and garnish with berries.  mmmm...

sadly, i did not get any pictures of the pannacotta once served... it looked beautiful with the chocolate shavings and blackberries... i will just have to try and make it myself and take a picture of the completed project.  

cheers.