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Authentic Italian Seafood
Dinner for Pat Sutton
Sunday, August 26th,
2007
In honor of Pat’s retirement
I offered to host a dinner for her and her friends centering the meal on her
favorite foods. She was not very forth coming in telling me her favorites. What
I have found out is that she loves all seafood. One of her favorites appears to
be mussels and pasta. So armed with this knowledge I have created the following
menu.
The secret to any and all
great Italian fare is to keep it simple and use the freshest ingredients.
This dinner celebration
starts with an appetizer of grilled shrimp using stems of rosemary as skewers
served with a very Roman mint pesto. Next we have a very simple and very
delicious clam soup which is basically little neck clams in a very rich and
flavorful broth. Next we have a wonderful salad of pear, arugula and pancetta
served with a fantastic champagne and honey vinaigrette. To clear our palates
for the main event we have a refreshing Limoncello sorbet. For the entrée we
have what I hope is Pat’s favorite, a tangy mussel’s marinara and linguine.
Real Italian garlic bread will be served through out the meal. To finish the
meal I originally planned my special mascarpone cheesecake topped with
strawberries that have been macerated in balsamic vinegar but Pat requested
“something lighter, like key lime pie.” J
It took a great deal of research to find an authentic Italian key lime pie
recipe since key limes are not native to Italy but I believe I have found just
the thing to end this meal, an exotic Italian key lime tart with a crust made
from honey biscotti and served with a Sicilian orange coulis and blueberry
compote. The wines, wine coolers and non-alcoholic drinks have been specially
selected to go with the appropriate courses to make this a very special feast
for a very special person.
Antipasti (Appetizer)
Rosmarino Gambero con Pesto
di Menta (Skewered Rosemary Shrimp
with Mint Pesto)
Vino di Antipasti (Wine)
Bellinis
made with fresh peaches and Canella Prosecco di Conegliano which is a textbook, frothy,
fresh, pure, delicate, delicious sparkling white... floral and apple aromas
with a slight sweetness gives it a round, soft structure… it is the perfect
crisp sparkler to wash down antipasto or to enjoy as an aperitif.
-and-
2005 Zardetto Zeta Prosecco
di Conegliano which
shows lemongrass, garden greens, orange blossom, and lemon-lime with sweet, mature
honeydew on the nose. On the Sweet side with a creamy frothy finish.
Bevanda Analcolica
(Non-alcoholic Beverage)
Sparkling Apple Cider
Primi Piatti (First
Course)
Zuppa di Vongole (Italian
Clam Soup)
Insalata (Salad)
Insalata di Pera, Arugula e
Pancetta (Pear, Arugula, and Pancetta Salad)
Vino di Primi Piatti e
Insalata (Wine)
2005 Zenato Lugana San
Benedetto is a stylish wine with apple blossom scents
that fill this brisk floral white, contrasting the juicy pear flavor and the
dry, almost tannic leesiness. A dry, smokey finish will compliment any seafood.
Orange Sunset Cooler
Bevanda Analcolica
(Non-alcoholic Beverage)
Orangina
Gelato al Limoncello
(To clear our palates)
Secondi Piatti (Entrée)
Linguine con Cozza (Linguine
with Mussels Marinara)
Vino di Secondi Piatti
(Wine)
2003 Ruffino Chianti Classico
Riserva Ducale Oro is ruby red in color, with garnet hues. The
wine shows typical Tuscan characteristics with violet, cherry, and plum aromas
and hints of white pepper. On the palate, this benchmark of fine Chianti
Classico has a massive structure and an elegant, fruity core accented by
rosemary and thyme. Full-bodied and well balanced.
Exotic
Bevanda Analcolica
(Non-alcoholic Beverage)
Sparkling Apple-Lingonberry
Cider
Pane (Bread)
Bruschetta (Real Italian
Crusty Garlic Bread with Herbs)
Dolci (Dessert)
Crostata di Limetta con
Coulis di Arance e Conserva di Mirtillo (Key Lime Tart with Sicilian
Miele Biscotti (Honey
Biscotti)
Vino di Dolci (Wine)
Brachetto d’Acqui is a unique red sparkling wine that is sweet and appealing
and perfect for dessert.
Bevanda Analcolica
(Non-alcoholic Beverage)
Sparkling Cranberry Juice
Caffè (Coffee)