GIFTS THAT BRIGHTEN THE SEASON ~ PART TWO

(From www.roberturban.com)

Holiday entertaining doesn’t have to be stressful, especially when you can rely on the delicious high quality Italian imported foods from Alessi and Vigo.  Alessi Foods and Vigo Foods have been purveyors of fine imported Italian foods since the 1940s.  In terms of gifts, food items make the perfect gift, so consider curating a basket of these delicious food items for someone special on your gift list. 

I’ve put together some simple ideas about ways to use some of these delicious items for your holiday feasting and entertaining.  I’m keeping it simple and going vegetarian, although you can easily supplement any of these items for your holiday spread with cured meats, seafood, poultry, etc.  Enjoy!

~ HOLIDAY FEASTING ~

(Photo by T. Herman)

~ Alessi Foods ~

Condiments ~ Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and 20 Year Balsamic Vinegar

Pasta ~ Certified Organic Mezzi Paccheri Pasta, and Certified Organic Rigatoni Pasta

Sauce ~ Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce, and Princess Pasta Sauce With Heavy Cream

Breadsticks ~ Pepato, Rosemary, Garlic, Sesame, and Thin

Antipasti ~ Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, and Fire Roasted Red & Yellow Peppers

~Vigo Foods ~

Antipasti ~ Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Marinated Hearts of Palm and Artichokes, Marinated Green Asparagus, Marinated White Asparagus, Marinated Mushrooms, and Pitted Kalamata Olives

MENU ~ A VEGETARIAN DELIGHT

(Photo by T. Herman)

~ Plated Antipasto Spread ~

Fire Roasted Red & Yellow Peppers, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Marinated Hearts of Palm and Artichokes, Marinated Green Asparagus, Marinated White Asparagus, Marinated Mushrooms, Pitted Kalamata Olives, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Sweet Basil Pesto, Fresh Mozzarella, Assorted Crackers

(Photo by T. Herman)

~ Cannellini Bean Salad ~

With Fire Roasted Red & Yellow Peppers, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Sweet Basil Pesto, Capers,

Shallots, Parsley, Oregano, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Ground Black Pepper

Dressed with Simple Vinaigrette of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and 20 Year Balsamic Vinegar

My Recipe Take:  Cannellini Bean Salad…drain and rinse one can of low-sodium Cannellini Beans…add to mixing bowl, along with one T each Alessi Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Sweet Basil Pesto, capers, dehydrated shallots, dehydrated parsley flakes, onion powder, garlic powder…mix thoroughly, then add ½ C diced Alessi Fire Roasted Red & Yellow Peppers…make a basic vinaigrette with the Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Alessi 20 Year Balsamic Vinegar and add, season to taste with Himalayan pink salt, and ground black pepper…mix thoroughly and chill in fridge for at least an hour (or overnight) before serving, to allow flavors to meld…add pasta to make this a heartier main dish.

(Photo by T. Herman)

~ Greek Yogurt Dip ~

Seasoned with Shallots, Parsley, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Sweet Paprika, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Himalayan Pink Salt, and Ground Black Pepper

Assorted Breadsticks for Dipping

My Recipe Take:  Seasoned Greek Yogurt Dip With Assorted Flavored Breadsticks…to about two cups of yogurt add the following…dehydrated shallots, dehydrated parsley, sweet paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, Himalayan pink salt, Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and a splash of half n’ half (depending on consistency preference)…mix thoroughly, periodically tasting to correct any of the seasonings...chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour so all of the flavors can meld…serve with Alessi Flavored Breadsticks, crackers, or dips...the dip would also make for a great topping to a baked potato, chili, etc.

(Photo by T. Herman)

~ Main Course ~

Baked Certified Organic Rigatoni Pasta, Princess Sauce With Heavy Cream,

Chopped Broccoli, Provolone Cheese, grated Italian Cheese Blend, and White Truffle Oil

My Recipe Take:  Baked Certified Organic Rigatoni Pasta With Broccoli…preheat oven to 375 deg F…cook a one pound package of Alessi Certified Organic Rigatoni Pasta al dente…drain, and then add to a large bowl…add a 24 oz jar of Alessi Princess Pasta Sauce With Heavy Cream, ¼ C of sweet basil pesto, ¼ C half n’ half, and a one pound package of thawed chopped broccoli…mix all ingredients thoroughly...to a glass baking dish that’s been oiled with Alessi Extra Virgin Olive Oil, add this mixture and spread evenly in baking dish…top with Provolone cheese slices and then sprinkle with dried oregano…bake until cheese has browned (less than an hour)…let cool for at least twenty minutes before serving…slice a portion and then add some grated Italian cheese blend, along with a drizzle of White Truffle Oil.

~ ADDITIONAL TIPS ~

(From www.123rf.com)

Meat can also be introduced with the Antipasti and Main courses.  The “Antipasti” can include an assortment of Italian cured meats (e.g. Capacolla, Mortadella, Prosciutto, Pancetta, Soprasatta, Salami, etc.).  The “Main” course can also include browned sweet or hot Italian sausage, Italian style meatballs, etc.

Lastly, don’t forget to serve your favorite wines with the meal.  And of course, end your feast with some rich and flavorful Italian coffee, traditional sweets (e.g. Torrone, Panforte, Anisette Toast, Cannoli, Panettone, etc.), and some chilled Moscato.

~ CURATED GIFT BASKET IDEAS ~

(From www.frining.com)

Basket #1 ~ Italian Bean Salad

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 20 Year Balsamic Vinegar, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, Fire Roasted Red Peppers

Supplement with Cannellini or Garbanzo Beans, and Dried Herb Assortment

Basket #2 ~ Pasta and Sauce

Organic Mezzi Paccheri Pasta or Organic Rigatoni, Chunky Marinara Pasta Sauce or Princess Pasta Sauce With Heavy Cream, and Breadsticks

Supplement with Sweet Basil Pesto, Capers, Chunk of Hard Cheese, Cheese Grater, and Pasta Spoon

Basket #3 ~ Antipasti Assortment

Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Marinated Hearts of Palm and Artichokes, Marinated Green Asparagus, Marinated White Asparagus, Marinated Mushrooms, Pitted Kalamata Olives, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto, and Fire Roasted Red Peppers

~ Additional Items for Your Gift Baskets ~

Wine, Cheeses, Cheese Carving Board with Knife, Artisan Crackers, Dried Fruit, Honey, Honey Dipper, Desserts, Espresso Coffee, Cookbook, Gift Certificates for All-Things Culinary

~ RESOURCES ~

Alessi Foods and Vigo Foods are available online, and in market retailers nationally. For more information on Alessi Food, visit https://alessifoods.com  For more information on Vigo Foods, visit https://vigofoods.com

~ IN CLOSING ~

(From www.shorecompass.org)

While this festive season may have your thoughts focused on finding the right gift for someone, let’s not forget the best gift to give, which doesn’t cost any money, and that’s the gift of our time with those we love and care about…family and friends.  Lastly, don’t forget those in need…find a local or national charity and contribute what you can…that might even include volunteering for special projects, or sponsoring a food or clothing drive in your neighborhood, place of worship, or at your work place.  To you and yours, I wish you peace, joy, and love!

That’s it for this edition.  Until the next one, remember to always celebrate yourself and your culinary curiosity.  Happy creating…happy cooking…happy eating!

By Terry Herman

TERRY HERMAN continues perfecting her passion for food and wine.  She has been covering culinary related for many years as it relates to wellness and a healthy lifestyle.  Her popular blog, Terry's Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To has featured formidable reviews of cookbooks, restaurants, wine and food, food prep and tools, chef interviews, and coverage of prestigious events such as International Home+Housewares Show, National Restaurant Show, Sweets and Snacks Expo, United Fresh, and Food Marketing Institute.  She has served as a food judge at the Bellavita Italian Expo Excellence Awards (Chicago).  She has been published since the mid-1990s in both consumer and trade publications, and is regarded as an expert in spa, beauty, wellness, travel and lifestyle, and is frequently interviewed by publications for her expert content.  She has also presented at major industry conferences, and has served with distinction on numerous governing and advisory boards.  She has a background in strategic and qualitative management, consulting, and motivational speaking.  In addition to her blogs, her social media outreach also includes Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Don’t forget to “Like” her Facebook Page, Terry’s Second Helpings.  Please note that the “Comment Section” has been disabled.  For additional information, email her at terry.herman@gmail.com.

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