The Perfect Family Sunday - Italian-Style.

Family is “the only Italian institution” – Father Lydio Tomasi (Founder of the Center for Migration Studies)

This month, at Pizzeria Oregano, we are focussing on what matters the most - family. Until the beginning of September, we want you to assemble your favourite people and head over to Oregano where we will feed you handsomely for just £10 each! 

But we also want to encourage you to embrace Italian family life at home, so this week we are giving you all that you need to plan the perfect Italian Sunday family meal.

At the heart of Italian culture is family, and at the heart of the Italian family is the “gioie della tavola” or “the joys of the table”. Apparently, only 5% of Italians choose to eat out on a Sunday, so we can’t think of a better day to set your traditional Roast aside in favour of a more Mediterranean Sabbath. The key to a perfect Italian Sunday is food prepared with love and care, lots of people and lively conversation.

First step: assemble the relatives! If you live too far away, or simply do not have an arsenal of aunts and grandparents and cousins at your disposal, invite your neighbours, and your friends, and their kids and Bob’s your uncle!

The typical meal structure for a special Italian festa is something like this: aperitivo, antipasto, primo, secondo and contorno, dolce, caffe, digestivo. The primo is usually pasta or risotto, or something similar, and the secondo tends to be the meat or fish course. In any case – there’s a lot of courses there so we suggest assigning a course to each of your favourite guests, and just taking care of the secondo yourself.

Now, let’s get started. While everyone arrives, share an aperitivo – we suggest a glass of Prosecco and some olives. Then – a tavola! – Get yourselves seated, as many people as you can fit in your house. If you need a special table for the bambini, you know you’re doing it right.

The menu should be simple but delicious, using as much locally-sourced produce as possible.

1) Antipasto – Bruschetta (Grilled sourdough bread, rubbed with garlic, then topped with roasted veg, cannellini beans, and fresh tomatoes)

2) Primo – Fettucine ai Funghi Porcini (A delicious pasta dish which is both rich and fresh, as well as incredibly simple – nothing but mushrooms, parsley, mint, and garlic is needed)

3) Secondo – Stinco di agnello (Lamb shank, we suggest giving it a good roasting with red wine and herbs)

4) Contorno – Insalata Caprese (The famous red, white, and green salad with fresh tomatoes, fragrant basil, and delicious Mozarella di bufala)

5) Dolce – Tiramisu (Can’t beat it really, the Italian trifle equivalent, make a trough of it so people can come back for more)

Send the kids out to run amok, while you crack out the coffee (espresso – hot, strong, and in very small cups!) Round things up with a limoncello digestivo as you sit back and loosen your belt.

If you’re serious about doing things the Italian way, you’ll be taking this SLOW, enjoying every morsel of conversation as well as every morsel of food. Things should eventually wrap up around 8pm. And there you have it – the perfect Sunday, Italian-style. Get in touch on Facebook or Twitter and let us know how you got on!