Party Ideas






Italian Budget Dinner Party: Recipes

profile image
Go Previous
Article
Go Next
By Jeanne Benedict
Celebrations Expert
 
Comments (0) | Rating (0)

 Italian Budget Dinner Party: Recipes 
Italians love to incorporate fresh, seasonal produce into their recipes.

Sticking to a budget doesn't mean you can't have a great time and delicious food. Check out the Estimated Cost Breakdown for these recipes and try them for:



Food and Recipes
Close all
Olive Polenta Squares

Ask any older Italian and most will tell you that polenta was the dish that was served when families were on a serious budget. My Italian mother-in-law refers to it as porridge!

Add a predominant flavoring ingredient to it, such as olives, and cook it with a highly-seasoned bouillon cube (as opposed to water) and you've got a restaurant quality appetizer. See the Estimated Cost Breakdown for this recipe.

More Reasons To Celebrate
 More Reasons To Celebrate
Plan your party with the best-looking invitations on the web!

Ingredients
  • 2 (3.5 gm) chicken bouillon cubes

  • 2 cups water

  • 3/4 Cup yellow cornmeal

  • 1 (3.8 oz) can sliced olives

  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil

Steps
  • Bring water and bouillon cubes to boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Slowly sprinkle cornmeal into water while quickly whisking mixture. Continue whisking for 3 minutes smoothing out any lumps as mixture thickens. Replace whisk with wooden spoon and cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens, about 1 minute. Spoon should stand in mixture and polenta will come away from sides of pan. Remove from heat and stir in olives.

  • Spread mixture on to a lightly oil baking sheet making ½-inch thick rectangle of polenta. Cool until polenta is set, about 15 minutes. Cut into squares and serve as an appetizer.

    Makes 6 servings.



Super Easy Fettuccine Alfredo

To turn this delicious recipe into Fettucine alla Carbonara, cook 8 strips of bacon and then chop it up into bite-size pieces. Whisk in the bacon along with 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat to the Parmesan sauce.

See the Estimated Cost Breakdown for this recipe.

Ingredients
  • 1 Teaspoon salt

  • 1 Cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 5 oz.)

  • 2 large eggs

  • 1/2 Cup heavy whipping cream

  • 1 1/2 lbs. fettuccine ( about 1 1/2 boxes dry pasta)

Steps
  • Add 1 teaspoon salt into a pot of water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add fettuccine and cook until tender, about 15 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, add the Parmesan, eggs and cream into a large serving bowl and whisk until combined.

  • Pour pasta into a colander to drain. Immediately add to serving bowl and toss with Parmesan sauce mixture until coated. Serve hot.

    Makes about 6 servings



Espresso Trifle, Stylishly Served in a Martini Glass

This easy dessert will conclude any dinner on a sweet note.

See the Estimated Cost Breakdown for this recipe.

Ingredients
  • 1 shot espresso (purchased from a coffee store like Starbucks)

  • 3/4 Cup water

  • 1 Cup sugar

  • 1 store-bought pound cake, cut into cubes

  • 6 individual portion cups of prepared vanilla pudding (Jello brand)

Steps
  • Add espresso, water and sugar into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool.

  • Alternate layers of pound cake cubes and pudding into 6 individual Martini glasses. Pour cooled espresso syrup over the top of each one and serve.

    Makes 6 servings



 

Email
Bookmark
Comment
Rate
Flag
Add This

Sign Up To Receive Our Newsletter
Email:



twitterfacebook

community answers

Celebrations Drink Calculator
boozeometer


Popular Party Ideas
Easter Cupcake Ideas
Crazy for cupcakes? Whip up some of these Easter treats for the holiday lik...

Spring Party For Kids
Spring is upon us! The kids are tired of being indoors, drinking hot cocoa,...

Easter Desserts
These desserts are for those who relish traditional holiday baked goods. Th...

Bridal Shower Cupcakes
Brides are the center of attention at their showers, but cupcakes have been...

Easter Morning Breakfast Ideas
Easter morning brings lots of excitement. There are new baskets to inspect,...




Vendor Search
Find Local Party Vendors
Find
Near
e.g. "Washington, DC" or "20001"

Party calendar
MAR 2010
 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March Celebrations
03-1-10
Beer Day
03-2-10
Dr. Seuss's Bir...
03-2-10
Read Across Ame...
03-7-10
Oscars 2010
03-10-10
Mario Day
03-12-10
Girl Scouts' Bi...
03-14-10
Daylight Saving...
03-14-10
Pi (3.14...) Da...
03-17-10
St. Patrick's D...
03-20-10
First Day of Sp...
03-21-10
Corn Dog Day
03-22-10
World Water Day
03-26-10
Legal Assistant...
03-28-10
Palm Sunday
03-30-10
Passover

OUR FAMILY OF BRANDS