What is an "Aperitivo"?
That's how Italians call the little "something" they have before lunch or dinner: a chance to meet friends, chatting and laughing together... and make you crave for your meal.
Yes, this is the secret: the Aperitivo is not supposed to feed you or satisfy your hunger. It is something that will tickle your appetite, and set your mood for a greater culinary experience.
If you are not too hungry, a good Aperitivo can even be enough to satisfy you until the next meal.
So, ready?
What are we drinking?
The first thing we need to remember is that the real core of the Aperitivo is about drinks: actually, "Aperitivo" is also the name of a whole cathegory of drinks which are especially made for the occasion.
Some of the most popular drinks for a perfect Aperitivo are champagne cocktails (such as Bellini) and bittersweet soft drinks, such as ginger ale, or slightly alcoholic drinks and cocktails, such as Sanbitter (Campari and soda), Campari, Bloody Mary, and so on.
In Northern Italy, we would just choose a glass of a local sparkling white wine ("spumante") or champagne; somebody might even enjoy a bier or a fruit juice.
My personal choice would be a glass of Bellavista Cuvée Brut, a dry, sparkling white wine ("spumante brut") from a region known as "Franciacorta", in Northern Italy. Take a look at their website to learn more about this outstanding wine, that would also be excellent for an elegant dinner: http://www.bellavistasrl.it/home.php?lang=EN. You can also try a Brut or Satèn by Bersi Serlini: http://www.bersiserlini.ieng/home_eng.html.
I am sure your local Italian Food & Wine store would suggest you more ideas to buy a superb Italian sparkling wine.
At my favorite Italian high quality food market in New York, EATALY (200, 5th Avenue), you will find an excellent sparkling wine from the Franciacorta region, the "Prima Cuvée Brut" by Monte Rossa, as well as the Prosecco by Serafini Vido - both perfect for your Aperitivo... and for so much more than that! Do not miss a visit to their amazing store, and also take a look at their website (you can also buy online): http://www.newyork.eataly.it/.
If you want to turn the wine into something fruity, you can prepare a Bellini with 2 oz peach puree and 4 oz champagne or white sparkling wine: just mix them together, and enjoy! You can also use fresh orange squash instead of the peach puree: absolutely lovely!
What kind of appetizers?
What I like most about Aperitivo is variety: make sure you have a colorful and joyful assortment of little delicious things, in small quantities.
A simple start: a few little bowls with olives, chips, pickles, salted peanuts, cheese cubes (try real Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Pecorino Romano, or the sweet Asiago). You can also make some simple dips (I will post some interesting recipes in one of my next articles! Don't miss it!), and serve them with toasted bread or raw vegetables.
This time, I will give you a few ideas to make some "mini bruschettas" (we pronounce it "brus'kettas").
MINI BRUSCHETTAS
Buy a fresh french stick and cut it into slices (no more than half a inch thick). Toast or grill them until they become golden and crunchy (7-8 minutes in the oven will be ok). When they are ready, pour a few drops of extra virgin olive oil on each slice, or butter if you like.
Then... time to decorate them!
- Extra simple: rub the bread with garlic, add a pinch of salt. Do not use butter, only extra virgin olive oil.
- Pizza style: a little piece of fresh tomato, a little piece of mozzarella, an olive, oregano or basil.
- Healthy: a slice of grilled pepper, zucchini or eggplants.
- Tasty: garlic, anchovy and 2-3 capers.
- Traditional: mayonnaise, capers or pickles.
- Nordic: salty butter (no oil), smoked salmon, dill.
- Mountain taste: just add salam.
- Rustic: crumble some sausage and brown it with a very little oil until it becomes crunchy. Spread the bread with it and add a pinch of grounded black pepper.
- Easy: just spread the bread with some olive purée (try "Polpoliva" by Eataly!).
- ... set your fantasy free!
Enjoy your Aperitivo... and don't forget that chatting, laughing and fun are our basic ingredients!
Comments
Thank you, very interesting. I did not know they drink ginger ale in Italy, seem an English tradition.
Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed my simple ideas.
We do have ginger ale, but we call it with a different name - "acqua tonica".
We also have a red soft drink known as "ginger", which is similar to it and it is very common for Aperitivo.
May we use some marmelade on your " bruschettas " as english people does ?
It's up to you.
Marmalade is typically made from oranges, so it is quite sweet.
I'd rather choose some spicy jams (onions, peppers, pumkpin, etc.), or wine jelly.
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