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Where to Eat in Italy in this Festive Season?

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Where to Eat in Italy in this Festive Season?

The festive season is here! If you are holidaying in Italy, you may be struck with this thought – where should I dine at during the holidays?

After all, most shops and restaurants will be closed during this festive period, leaving travellers and tourists to wander by the walkways outdoors, looking for a place to enjoy a warm dinner, while families cosy up in their homes for intimate celebrations.

Why not try out a heartwarming dining experience with the locals?

If you are exploring the beautiful city of Rome, make your way to Susanna’s, for a tasty meal on the eve of Christmas and on Christmas day. Susanna, who has hosted rooftop dinners (with a stunning view overlooking Rome!) and meals by the riverside, will set you at ease immediately with her warm and welcoming hospitality.

Not in Rome? Well, fret not, for there are lovely dining experiences elsewhere. If you are celebrating your holidays in bustling Milan, why not drop by Alessandra’s place this New Year’s Eve? We promise that you will be in for a delightful time, in a beautiful home buzzing with conversation and laughter.

Holiday-makers in Florence, lucky you, for you have two options to choose from! You could dine with Elisa on Christmas, feasting on delicacies like tortellini soup with beef, lasagna (hot and piping from the oven) and an enticing almond cake with cream and aromatic rose syrup.

Otherwise, you may like to have a dinner with Hans and the Medici family, who will welcome you with sumptuous Tuscan fare. Delicious food, great company, and enjoying your meal in a delightful home situated in the Tuscan countryside…it is hard to imagine a more enjoyable experience than this!

Enjoy these parties (with plenty of wine, of course!):

…In Rome with Susanna: Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year’s Eve

…In Milan with Alessandra: New Year’s Eve

…In Florence with Elisa: Christmas and New Year’s Eve

…In Florence with Hans: Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve

Got a question about these fun-filled home dining parties? Drop us a message at info[at]bonappetour.com, and we'll help you out! 

Image credits: foodtasticmom.com, deliciouswordflux.com

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Tagliatelle VS Tagliolini

Tagliatelle VS Tagliolini

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You might have already heard about Tagliatelle and Tagliolini without actually knowing the difference between them. This might be something to clear up before your next trip to Italy!

[irp posts=”38″ name=”Italy’s Must-Eat Foods: 12 Delicacies Not to Be Missed”]

What’s Tagliatelle?

Tagliatelle VS Tagliolini

The tagliatelle, derived from the Italian word tagliare – meaning “to cut” – refers to a type of pasta originating from the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions of Italy. This pasta, similar to the fettuccine and has a flat, ribbon-like appearance.

Instead of water, it is made with eggs, with a ratio of one egg to one hundred grams of flour.

How to cook Tagliatelle

Being an absorbent pasta, the tagliatelle remains firm when it is served with heavy, meaty sauces such as the bolognese sauce. Meat dishes containing rabbit, veal, pork, or beef is also commonly served with this pasta.

What’s Tagliolini?

Tagliatelle VS Tagliolini

The names of these two kinds of pasta may sound a little similar, but do not confuse tagliatelle with tagliolini. Tagliolini is a variation of the tagliatelle pasta.

The difference between these two kinds of pasta lies in its form. Tagliolini has a cylindrical shape and has a paper-thin thickness with a dimension measuring less than 3 millimeters.

How to cook Tagliolini

Unlike tagliatelle, smooth, thin sauces work best when one is whipping up a dish with the tagliolini pasta. One will often find this pasta prepared with a white truffle sauce.

Being a versatile pasta variety, richer sauces, such as the carbonara, or other sauces containing creamy ricotta also work well with the tagliolini.

Over to you

Want to find out more about these Italian delicacies? Find out more about these types of pasta – and even try cooking them – with local chefs during a visit to Rome. Sandra, a local home chef in Rome, would be happy to have you at one of her pasta making cooking classes! 

Image credits: 1, 2

Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina

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Gnocchi Alla Sorrentina

Gnocchi alla sorrentina translates directly to mean “gnocchi to Sorrento”. This recipe originates from Sorrento, a lovely town located in the south of Naples. The gnocchi alla sorrentina is representative of the Mediterranean diet, and contains ingredients such as Basil, Mozzarella and tomato sauce.

The dish, gnocchi, may sound relatively unfamiliar to some of us, particularly for those residing in Asia or who seldom consume European dishes. Gnocchi refers to soft, thick dumplings made from semolina, wheat flour, eggs, cheese, potato, bread crumbs, or other types of ingredients.

The gnocchi are served warm or hot, and are eaten as the first course in a meal. Similar to most Italian dishes, the recipes, names and ingredients used to cook the gnocchi varies, depending on the region that the dish is prepared in.

Can’t wait to tuck into the gnocchi alla sorrentina? Our BonAppetour hosts, Angelo and Simona can whip up a tantalising serving of this dish! 

Also, find out more about our hosts in Italy here!

Images credits: manusmenu.com, yeunglei.com, 3.bp.blogspot.com

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A Day of Feasting in Italy

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A Day of Feasting in Italy

Breakfast: Do as the Romans Do

When in Rome, eat as the Romans do!

Wake up to a fragrant cup of frothy, well-made cappuccino. The milk is perfectly frothed, such that a thin layer of foam remains on the top of your lips after each mouthful. Satiate your hungry tummy with a tempting selection of pastries such as soft brioche and buttery croissants.

Lunch: Munch on Tigelle

Are you ready for a Tigellata Experience?

Tuck into tigelle, a small, round and thick flat bread that originated from Modena. The dough for the tigelle is made from wheat flour, water and salt.

The Tigellata Experience is not complete without a spread of scrumptious accompaniments to go with the bread – we have been told that cold cuts, homemade pesto modenese, vinegars, jams and cheeses with mustard and grilled vegetables are going to be laid out on the table. Mmm!

Dinner: Feast like a King

After two mouthwatering meals, make some space in your stomach for an excellent dinner, for a spread of Roman delicacies await.

Get ready to savour dishes such as bruschette al pomodoro, which are crisp slices of toasted bread with tomato. Next, tuck into the rigatoni alla carbonara, a pasta dish with a combination of ingredients such as eggs, bacon, parmigiano and pecorino cheese, topped with a sprinkle of heady black pepper.

Taste the succulent slices of porchetta, which refers to pork marinated with a variety of fragrant spices, and sample mouthfuls of cicoria ripassata, a dish made from sauteed local vegetables.

A perfect meal does not end without dessert, and this one is no different. A creamy tiramisu is served at the end of this satisfying dinner.

Looking for more local dining experiences in Italy? Explore our BonAppetour hosts page here!

Image credits: sagreneiborghi.it, sweetpeaskitchen.com, startingtocook.com, blog.giallozafferano.it, olsensbake360.com

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