Italian Feast Part 2

It never feels like a party until the table is laid. I've gone for a slightly more formal table this time with a crisp white table cloth and the platinum chargers from our Wedgwood dinner service.

The vintage-style blue candle holders pick up the predominant colour of the rest of the room. Lay the table early in the day so there is one less thing to worry about.

 

Below is my favourite napkin fold and I have put a small menu card on each place with a fragrant sprig of rosemary cut from the garden to add colour and interest. This gives a slightly rustic feel and stops the whole table looking too clinical.
 

With a napkin folded into quarters to make a neat square, lay it down with a point facing you. Fold the top corner down about half way towards the centre. Turn everything over and fold the two side corners in to just overlap at the centre. Turn back over and you're done!

The menu for tonight features some recipes I have shared with you before on this blog such as tuscan mashed chickpea crostini as a canape, tagliarelle with white truffle butter as the starter and a chocolate and amaretti torte for dessert. The main course is a herb-baked loin of cod with creamy Parmesan polenta and green beans with garlic and all of this is followed by a hearty cheese board with rosemary crackers, dried figs and chutney.
 

Post party note: I think the food was enjoyed by all and whilst it may not have been 100% authentically Italian it vanished very quickly! Much lively conversation and laughter were the highlights of the evening - along with a lot of Prosecco! I hope you'll feel encouraged to give some of these dishes a try yourself. Buon appetitio!