Eat like an Italian with Lidl's Italiamo range

The Cuisine of Italy is a reflection of this wonderful country of sapphire blue skies,land of the rolling hills, the ever winding roads with their tall elongated cypress trees,terraced vineyards,olives groves with their curiously twisted trees, glimpses of sienna red tiled roofs and above all, of warm,generous and hospitable people. The country's culinary tradition is as long as its history and an Italian meal is a leisurely, sociable affair, often taken in the open air.
Lidl's  Italiamo range is a vast array of Delicious Italian Delicacies that you will not be able to resist. Available in all stores as of Monday 24 th February .
Here are a few recipes and ideas for you to entertain without fuss or expense; Forget the cares of the day and linger, Italian style with your favourite people.
A typical Italian meal starts with An Antipasti platter, which usually includes an assortment of Cured Meats, Olives, Vegetables, Salads and Cheeses but it varies greatly according to regions.So for the most hassle-free, no-cook starter in the world, just take a trip to your local Lidl and pick up a selection of antipasti. Arrange on a large platter, with bowls of Olives and marinated vegetables and allow your guests to compose their own selection on their plates, leaving you with plenty of Chill-out time with friends and family as these recipes take 30 minutes or less to prepare as there is really very little cooking involved.
( Slates from Slated Ireland. www.slatedireland.ie )

Antipasti Platter 

Create an array of enticing Italian cured meats, cheeses & condiments       All Prices as of 22/02/2014

•  Mortadella Bologna @ €1.59
• Antipasto Misto Emiliano Sausage @€2.69
• Salamis @€2.29
• Green & Black olives @€2.49
• Sun dried Tomatoes @€1.49
• Grissini Rustici @€1.79
• Gorgonzola cheese @€1.99

Roasted Peppers with Anchovy & Capers

• Assorted peppers @ €1.79
• Anchovy fillets @ €1.49
• Extra Virgin luccese Olive oil @ €3.49  
• 1 tbs of capers
• 3 garlic cloves
• Basil @ €1.49
• freshly ground black pepper

Place peppers on a roasting tray , drizzle with a little of oil and bake in a pre-heated oven at 220 c for 15 mins or until the skins are charred.
Wrap immediately in cling film and set aside. This will help the skin to blister and will be easier to peel. When cooled, scrape off the skin, remove seeds and cores. Layer the peppers with  thin slivers of garlic,chopped capers, anchovy fillets, basil, blk pepper and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Bruchetta a la Romana

• Organic Cherry tomatoes @ €2.49 , finely chopped
• 1 shallot, finely chopped @ €0.79 for 250 grms
• 1 ripe avocado @ €0.59,  chopped into small cubes
• flat leaf parsley, chopped
• freshly ground blk pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive oil @ €3.49
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tsp of red wine vinegar. Acentino Rosso @ €1.29
• Focaccia bread to serve @ €0.39 each

Place the tomatoes, shallot, avocado, flat leaf parsley in a bowl. Add the red wine vinegar & blk pepper to taste .
Pre- heat the grill and toast the sliced bread for 2-3 mins on each side. Rub both sides of the toasted bread with the garlic clove.
Spoon the avocado and tomatoe mixture on top, Drizzle with the olive oil and serve.

Chicory Salad , Pears, Walnuts and Gorgonzola

• Chicory @€0.99
• Conference pears, Bag @ €1.99, cored and quartered and cut again into wedges
• Gorgonzola Cheese @€ 1.99
• Radishes, finely sliced @ €0.59

For the dressing :

• 2 tbsp of White wine vinegar Acentino blanco @ € 1.29
• 1 tbsp of honey
• 1 tsp of Dijon mustard
• 4 tbsp of olive oil

Trim the base of the Chicory and separate into leaves. Rinse into ice cold water to make the leaves nice and crisp. Pat dry and toss lightly into the dressing along with the sliced radishes.
Arrange on a plate, Scatter over chunks of the Gorgonzola and chopped Walnuts. Drizzle over the remainder of the dressing.


Buffalo Mozzarella, moon blush cherry tomatoes, celery & Canellini beans Salad

• Buffalo Mozzarella @€2.99 for 250 grms tub
• celery @ €0.39 , sliced
• Mixed leaves salad bag @€1.49
• Canellini beans

Moon dried Tomatoes

• Cherry tomatoes, cut in half horizontally @ € 0.89
• 1 tbsp of Olive oil
• 1 tbsp of balsamic vinegar, Acentino Balsamico de Modena @€ 1.29
• pinch of sugar
• Pinch of  dried herbs de Provence, Kavia @ €0.39
• freshly ground blk pepper

Place the tomatoes cut side up on a baking tray, drizzle over the olive oil, balsamic, sugar, pepper and dried thyme. Bake in a pre- heated oven at 50c for 1 hour until softened and shrivelled up.


NB: This can be made when you have already a hot oven, place the tray in the oven and all you have to do is switch your oven off. Any left overs will keep very well in a cold place drizzle with extra olive oil.


Now repeat the process as per the Chicory salad, arrange on a plate , and drizzle over the remainder of the dressing .

Aubergine and Mozzarella Involtini

• 1 bag of frozen Char grilled Aubergine @€2.49 , Defrosted or char grilled your own Aubergine @€ 0.99 each
• 4 tbsp of olive oil, sliced in half
• 1 tin of Chopped tomatoes,Arrabiata @ €0.59
• 100 grms of Black olives @€2.49 for 330 grms tub
• 1 tub of Buffalo Mozzarella @€ 2.99 chopped
• 1 tub of pesto @ € 0,79
• toasted pine nuts
• fresh basil to garnish

Pre-heat oven to 200c.
If you are preparing your own, cut the aubergine length ways from top to bottom into 3 mm thick slices. Brush with olive oil and char grill in a pre-heated griddle pan for 3-4 mins on each side.
Lay 12 slices of aubergine onto a board and chopped the rest into a bowl.Add 4 tbsp of Arrabiata sauce, half the olives and half of the mozzarella.
Spread some pesto onto each aubergine, spoon some of the tomatoe and cheese mixture at one end of each aubergine slice and roll up into a fat cigar shape.
Place seam side down in a baking dish. Spoon the rest of the Arrabiata sauce over the aubergine rolls, and top with the remaining  mozzarella. Bake for 20-25 mins. Garnish with the pine nuts, olives and basil.

Italians rarely finish a meal with a dessert; Cheeses and fresh fruits are normally served instead. But for those with a sweet tooth, the Italiamo range of desserts is sure to impress.


buon appetito.xx


Tagged:  italy- bruchetta- antipasti- moon dried tomatoes- aubergine- chicory- gorgonzola- pears- mozzarella- pesto- peppers- lidl

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