When it comes to hosting an Italian Valentine’s Day dinner, you don’t need to stress about elaborate preparations. The essence of Italian cuisine lies in its simplicity and fresh ingredients. Here are some tips to create an inviting menu with minimal fuss:Baskets with Tuna Mousse – Cestini con mousse di tonno followed by a simple dish of Penne alla Vodka and for dessert delicious Puff Pastry Hearts filled with cream - Cuori di sfolgia di San Valentino.
Baskets with Tuna Mousse - Cestini con mousse di Tonno
Baskets with tuna mousse are a quick and delightful appetiser, perfect for parties and Christmas Eve. This easy recipe allows you to prepare these tasty baskets in just a few minutes, making them a fantastic choice for serving at the appetiser table. They are also great for buffets or as an aperitif. The tuna mousse is very simple to make and incredibly delicious. It pairs well with a variety of appetizers. You only need a mixer or an immersion blender to prepare it.
Ingredients:
1 roll of phyllo dough; 280 g canned tuna; 60 g creamy cheese (such as stracchino, crescenza); 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Preparation:
Place the tuna drained from the oil in a bowl. Add the cream cheese, lemon juice and a pinch of pepper, then blend to obtain a cream. Cut out squares from the phyllo dough, approximately 8X8 cm. Please place them in the cavity of the muffin mould and fill them with a ball of baking paper. Cook in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 10 minutes, then take out and let cool. Fill the phyllo baskets with the tuna mousse and place them in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Bring to the table together with all the other aperitifs or starters.
Penne all vodka - Penne with Vodka
Ingredients:
430 Penne; 300 g tomato puree; 200 g cooking cream; 1/2 onion; 1/2 glass vodka; 100g bacon; 1 pinch salt, pepper, chili pepper; extra virgin olive oil; parsley
Preparation:
While you boil the water and then cook the pasta, finely chop the onion and brown it in a pan together with the chopped bacon. Now add the vodka and let it evaporate, followed by the tomato puree and a sprinkling of salt, pepper, and chilli. Stir and let cook for a couple of minutes. Now add some parsley or a few fresh, finely chopped thyme leaves. Now add the cream and mix.
As soon as it is al dente, drain the pasta and pour it into the pan. Stir over medium heat and mix the pasta with the sauce. Serve the Penne alla vodka while still hot. You will smell what a scent!
Puff Pastry Hears for San Valentino - Cuori di sfoglia di San Valentino
Puff pastry hearts are a simple and delightful treat for Valentine's Day. Using ready-made puff pastry, especially if you have a roll that's nearing its expiration date, significantly shortens preparation time. This choice allows you to create an impressive dessert without spending too much time in the kitchen.
Ingredients:
1 roll of ready-made puff pastry - 1 egg yolk - 200 ml fresh cream - 3 tablespoons raspberry jam - 2 tablespoons icing sugar
Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). 2. Unroll the puff pastry and use cookie cutters to cut out 8 heart shapes. Prick only 4 of the hearts with a fork so they don’t puff up during baking. Brush the remaining 4 hearts with the beaten egg yolk. 3. Place the puff pastry hearts on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Bake them in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden. 4. Once cooked, allow the hearts to cool. 5. Meanwhile, whip the cream with 1 tablespoon of icing sugar until it forms soft peaks. Transfer the whipped cream into a piping bag. 6. Fill the bases of the pricked hearts with the whipped cream. 7. In a separate bowl, dilute the raspberry jam and divide it over the cream on each heart. 8. Top each filled heart with the remaining unpricked hearts. 9. Finally, sprinkle the tops with the remaining tablespoon of icing sugar and serve immediately. Enjoy your delicious puff pastry hearts!
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