Italian inspired festive menu ideas by our very own Flavours chef - Antonio

Christmas time is the perfect season for trying new recipes. Just think of all the family gatherings and dinner parties where you want to impress your guests and family with that little extra something!

So, as we are getting excited with what new recipes we could try – we thought we would ask for some help from our Italian chefs, before they get too busy cooking for our NY cooking holidays in Italy.

Today’s recipe Lasagne con Polpettine is a typical Apulian Christmas dish, brought to you by the chef on our cookery holidays in Puglia, Antonio.

LASAGNE CON POLPETTINE

Pasta:

·  1/2kg flour

·  3 eggs

·  Water, if necessary

Sauce:

·  1/2kg mixed beef and pork (minced)

·  70g mortadella

·  70gr prosciutto cotto (cooked ham)

·  300gr mozzarella

·  100gr parmesan and pecorino cheese (grated)

·  Onion, oil, “passata” (tomato puree) for the sauce

Directions

Fry the onion with oil, add “passata” and cook for 30 minutes to make tomato sauce.

Make the pasta and cut into rectangular shapes (10X15), then cook in a pan of boiling water with salt and oil, dry the cooked pasta (which should not be wet).

In the meantime make very tiny meatballs and fry in sunflower/vegetable based oil.

In a large baking dish, cover the base with a layer of sauce, then pasta, then a layer of sauce, add mozzarella, prosciutto and grated pecorino, then continue to layer. Cook in the oven for approx 40 mins at 190°.

(Veggie version: omit the meat and add a little béchamel sauce when layering)

So, why not try this delicious recipe and treat yourselves and guests with a festive Italian recipe? If you love Italian food you can find more ideas from all of our Italian chefs here  .