Relax and enjoy dinner

 

I’ve always been drawn to Italian culture. I enjoy their food, wine, language and how they truly seem to enjoy life. Many times I feel our society allows time to waste away without enjoying the essence of it. We’re in a hurry to get somewhere or do something, we overcommit, overeat and drink, and many of us don’t even spend quality time with loved ones. We worry about everything and don’t seem to find the time to grow and nurture our spirituality. We take care of our family’s basic needs, and some may manage to squeeze in a family vacation once a year to try to relax and reconnect.

During my recent trip to Italy, I learned that for Italians, meals are an important daily ritual where several dishes are prepared and shared in a relaxed family-oriented environment. Most families meet each Sunday for a meal, usually after church.

The meal starts with a refreshing drink called Spritz (a refreshing drink served in the summer, as an appetizer. See recipe link below), then antipasti, an appetizer of cured meats and cheeses. This is followed by a first course, a pasta or risotto (rice) dish, and then the second course, for the most part, a meat that may or may not have a small portion of cooked vegetables. Last, comes dessert accompanied by either a shot of espresso or a cappuccino. If you skip coffee and dessert, the meal ends with a shot of limoncello or grappa. Wine is served with lunch and dinner. One of the locals we met during a wine tour said that if there’s not wine with a meal, it’s breakfast!

Vegetables and salads are not commonly served but are available upon request, and the salad not served at the beginning of the meal like in the U.S. Make sure you call your server for the next dish because he/she will not come to remove your dish when your plate is empty, nor ask you if you are ready for the next course. Even if the server sees your plate is empty. Dinner is not to be rushed but savored while enjoying the company of loved ones.

It’s different in the U.S. When dining out, sometimes your next course comes when you’re not even finished with the first one. Soon after finishing our last drink, many of us feel obligated to purchase more drinks to keep sitting at the table. I don’t feel we give meals the priority we should. I’ve observed many families, including mine, having dinner with the television on or on cell phones. I’m no exception and don’t want to be hypocritical. But after experiencing dining in Italy, I would like to incorporate some of their traditions, such as savoring a great meal and good conversation with no distractions.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Beverage/ItalianSpritz.htm

Rosa

Rosa Talavera

2 Replies to “Relax and enjoy dinner

    1. I’m glad Tiffany. We are now keeping the television off during dinner and talking. You would not believe all the things you can find out about what’s going on in your teenagers life!

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