I had meant to blog about the rest of the dishes I made for a family dinner the day after I posted about the main course, but I just plain forgot. I don’t have much time for a proper post today, so I’ll share what we ate in addition to the lasagna that evening.
As Ina Garten often recommends, I went to the Italian deli and bought my appetizers instead of trying to make five things by myself. I picked up some prosciutto di Parma, sopressata, bocconcini , sun dried tomatoes, bread sticks and a tub of seasoned, roasted bell peppers and simply arranged them to create an antipasto platter. I did spear the bocconcini with the sun dried tomatoes and a basil leaf but short of that, I didn’t do much and it was fantastic.
To serve alongside the lasagna, I just roasted some asparagus with lemon zest, olive oil and sea salt. The beef carpaccio was made by freezing some filets, rubbing the outside of the steaks with salt & pepper, then searing them all over before sticking them back in the freezer. After about an hour, I just took them out and sliced them on my mandoline- it was so easy. Fanned around a pile of arugula crowned with parmesan and drizzled with some basil olive oil and capers, it was done.
For dessert I made Mario Batali’s Meyer Lemon Semiffredo with a bluberry sauce the night before. It was light, lemony and delicious.
More cooking adventures later this week!
Are there any openings in your family? Or can I buy a seat at family dinner perhaps?
TAG;
OH YUMMMMMM…..per your last post…Just the thought of takoyaki has made me drool….LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
You sure know how to entertain a person stomache!
im loving that antipasto platter – it looks so beautiful and delicious! there’s never a bad time for charcuterie, imo. by the way, i give you mad props for making own pasta for the lasagne! i haven’t gotten around to making homemade pasta yet. honestly im bad with dough!
you been getting your cured meats on. that’s hawt.
Which Italian deli did you go to? and btw, i really like all your posts…everything looks so yummy…
FM: I’ll call you when something opens up;)
Carlyn: I love takoyaki too!!! With extra Kewpie;)
nhbilly: Thanks for your comment:)
Susan: Thanks! Handmade pasta is pretty easy but rolling it out that thin is kind of a pain. It will be awhile before I do that again.
Rameniac: You funny
Ayn: I went to the Italian Deli on Colorado Blvd in Eagle Rock. It’s fantastic.