Monday, August 1, 2011

Italian dinner for five

On a lovely August evening what could be better than preparing an Italian feast and sharing it with good friends in the garden?  The simplicity and sensuality of the food we ate in Italy has remained with us and we continue to eat the Italian way.  This weekend our Italy traveling companion Kath was over visiting from Vancouver and together we prepared an al fresco dinner for a few friends.  

It was an Italian inspired menu

Bruschetta with zuchinni and tomato topping served with fresh mozarella
Italian olives











Farfalle (bowtie pasta) with lemon and herbs (from my garden)

Marinated pork skewers
Garden salad with herbs and flowers
Green beans


Meringues with berries and cream
Vin Santo
Blackberry tea



What fun to cook and share a feast with dear friends at a table on the patio under the plum tree.

Here is the beautiful bouquet brought by my friend Joan. 



And here is our finale--a little glass of Vin Santo, the dessert wine that orginated in Renaissance Italy.  This toast was to travel, good food and good friends. 


 

4 comments:

  1. Lovely !
    What a wonderful dinner, under a favorite tree with friends.
    Lovely !

    cheers, parsnip

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  2. It looks wonderful. For some reason, I feel hungry.

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  3. Asolutely lovely dinner, with a beautiful bouquet.

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  4. Wonderful looking - and I'm sure tasting - food. Understandable why Italian cuisine is so popular.

    I'm so attracted to the bouquet. We don't often see buddleia included with cut flowers. Gorgeous!

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