In such strange times as these, with the global coronavirus emergency changing our daily habits, it’s all the more important to look for some fun in your daily routine, especially when you’re stuck at home. That's why we suggest treating yourself to the occasional homemade aperitivo with your family or closest friends – just like we do in Italy! Many of us are having aperitivo at home, “meeting with” far-away loved ones via Facetime or Hangout; even if we’re not able to be together physically, technology helps us to stick together during tough times. It’s almost a little bit magical when you set the table properly with the best glasses and plates, pampering yourself and your “guests” with an authentic Spritz & stuzzichini.
First, something to drink!
Wine, beer, and fruit juices might be the traditional drink for you. But you can probably agree that preparing a cocktail would be more appropriate these days. If you’re going to make a cocktail, it’s best to just stick with a classic like we do in Italy: the Spritz. This is a cocktail that everyone loves; it’s light and has just enough bubble to it. You can make it with bitters or Aperol, still or sparkling white wine (or with prosecco), and top it off with sparkling water or soda water.
And don’t forget the orange slices! Here’s the classic recipe: To prepare Spritz at home, mix 400 ml Aperol, 300 ml prosecco (or another sparkling wine) and 100 ml sparkling water in a large pitcher. Add ice and an organic orange (cut into fairly thin slices). Spritz should be served cold, but you can prepare it in advance. Store it in the fridge and add ice only when ready to serve.
And something to eat?
Moving onto appetizers – because an aperitivo at home can’t just be olives and chips in a bag. Besides, there are so many different delicious (and easy-to-make!) finger foods out there. These are five ideas that we really like:
Parmigiano cheese cookies and crackers
Little finger foods are always a must for aperitivo. Try Parmigiano cheese cookies, made by simply mixing 1 cup of pastry flour with ⅓ cup butter, 1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, salt and pepper. Once the dough is compact (like a shortbread dough), roll it out and cut out shapes using stencils for desired shape. Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes in the oven for fragrant, crumbly, cheese-flavored cookies. For Parmigiano crackers, mix 1 cup of pastry flour with 4 tablespoons seed oil, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and a mix of salt and spices to taste. Roll out the dough very thin and cut it into small rectangles. Cook at around 400°F in the oven for about 5 minutes. For a super crunchy result, use a pasta machine for a very thin sheet of dough.
Piadina rolls
If you have some packaged piadina (or tortillas) at home, you're halfway there! Heat the piadina lightly in a pan on both sides and stuff it with whatever you want (or whatever you have at home). Soft cheeses like crescenza, stracchino or even ricotta are perfect for their freshness and creaminess. Add prosciutto crudo, some arugula or lettuce, or opt for a version with smoked salmon and grilled vegetables. An unusual, colorful and very tasty ingredient? Radicchio. Simply blanched in a pan and seasoned with oil, pepper and salt. Once the piadina is stuffed, roll it up and close it in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Cut in half or slice to keep the shape of a roll.
Quinoa & mixed vegetable salad
As everyone may know by now, quinoa is not a cereal, but a rich source of protein. Quinoa is so versatile that you can prepare many tasty dishes with it. We suggest serving the following either in a small single-portion bowl or in a large bowl. The best part about this recipe? You can make it in a thousand different ways! First, prepare the quinoa by cooking it in boiling water and once cooked, drain and let cool. In the meantime, mix some songino lettuce with steamed edamame, slices of avocado, strips of red cabbage and julienned carrots. Season with oil, salt and lemon juice. Then add the quinoa. If you don't like red cabbage, use regular cabbage or iceberg lettuce. And if you want to add salmon or cubes of primosale cheese, go for it!
Deviled eggs
Preparing this easy and simple recipe will unleash your creativity – even if you don’t have much in the kitchen! Let’s start with the basics. Boil an egg in a saucepan, starting with cold water and building up to a boil with the egg already in the water. Drain eggs and cool under running water. Remove the shells and cut in half. Take the yolk and mix it with tuna, capers, and mayonnaise. With this mixture, fill the eggs once again and serve. You can also mix the yolk with other ingredients if you don't like tuna. Try it with avocado, lemon and tabasco. Or with tomatoes in oil and a drop of mustard.
Fried Gnocchi
You read that right; we're talking about potato gnocchi – and yes, we fry them! Not everyone knows that gnocchi can also be a deliciously crispy finger food. In fact, gnocchi dough is nothing more than a mix of mashed potatoes with flour and eggs. So why can’t we fry or bake them in the oven? Haven't you ever thought of that? The same goes for fresh tortellini and other stuffed pasta. Even egg noodles can be fried and you can't imagine the goodness! How do you do it? Just dip the raw gnocchi directly into boiling seed oil. Wait for them to turn golden-brown and drain them with a slotted spoon. Serve with homemade ketchup.