A Northern-Italian Christmas Feast
This Christmas, let the flavours of Northern Italy take center stage with a menu that blends tradition and simplicity.
From effortless appetizers to hearty secondi and indulgent dolci, this spread mixes beloved family recipes with the convenience of our ready-made products. Whether you’re in the mood for a hands-on cooking session or a speedy dish to impress, this menu offers something for everyone—and plenty of memories to be made.
You undoubtedly know the Aperol Spritz, but have you ridden the Bicicletta Spritz? This simple three-part cocktail combines dry white wine, sparkling water, and Campari so you can expect more of a bitter bite. You’ll see, mixing the drink is as easy as riding a bike!
Ricotta, Hazelnut and Truffle Honey Crostini
The art of aperitivo is learned, but that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated or time consuming. These canapés will impress your guests and have them like bees to a honeypot. Crunchy and creamy, sweet and salty, it has it all and then some.
Full disclosure: yes, this recipe takes time because the cod needs to soak for up to 3 days, so think prepare ahead of time. But rest assured, your patience will be worthwhile — after all, Rome wasn’t built in a day! This famous northern Italian antipasti bursts with flavour that’ll be sure to start your evening right.
Homemade tortellini is a labour of love that the whole family can help with. A classic dish from Emilia-Romagna that highlights the regions most famous foods: Parmiggiano Reggiano, mortadella, and prosciutto in a simple yet flavourful homemade broth. The best of Bologna in a heartwarming meal.
For Stefano, it wouldn’t be Christmas without his mom’s famous mini meatball lasagna. She only makes it once a year, so we have to enjoy every bite! It used to take a lot of time to make, but thanks to our products, we’ve cut down some of the prep time. A hearty and special meal, from the Faita-Venditelli family to yours!
If there’s one smell we could use to describe the holidays in northern Italy, it would be milk-braised pork, or as they say, “arrosto di maiale all latte.” The milk tenderizes the meat and even caramelizes while cooking, thus making a rich and deep sauce. We usually serve it with cipollini agrodolce, simple sautéed greens, and a crisp radicchio and pear salad.
We’ve all heard it growing up: “eat your greens.” But these greens couldn’t be further from what you were served as a child. This recipe is simple, nutritious, and quite honestly the best way to cook them. Embrace the anchovies, they add that much desired layer of umami. You won’t have to remind your kids to eat their greens, they’ll be wanting seconds and thirds.
Here’s a winter salad that I love to prepare with braised meat. Simple to put together, it’s different and will have a guaranteed wow effect on your table. The pears add a fresh and sweet touch that softens the gorgonzola cheese and the hazelnuts and radicchio bring the all crunchiness we love in a salad.
Who knew five ingredients could do so much with so little? Prepare these truffles ahead of time and freeze them until you’re ready to impress your guests or give them as a gift. Get your kids involved, they’re that easy to make. Proof that less truly is more.
This dome-shaped showstopping Tuscan dessert was originally made for nobility. Thanks to our panettone, we’ve made it that much more accessible. All you have to do is stuff it with a rich ricotta cream and refrigerate until ready to serve, like for Christmas dinner, for example. A dessert fit for a king!
Translates to “ladies’ kisses,” these cookies are from the town of Tortona in Piedmont, where hazelnuts are abundant. As if the roasted hazelnuts weren’t enough, we’re filling them with our rich hazelnut cocoa spread. Get ready for crunchy and melt-in-your-mouth textures. Get also ready to have more than just one.
Want to jazz up your dessert table even more? Add some roasted chestnuts, crunchy torrone, mixed nuts and winter fruits like clementines and persimmons for some variety and a splash of colour.
Buon appetito e buon Natale!
