Episode 72: Italian Night at home: Hosting and cooking comfort food favorites!

Are you ever overwhelmed by the thought of hosting a dinner party? Do you often find yourself stuck in the kitchen, cooking at the last minute, and missing out on the conversation? If you're tired of complicated dinner parties and craving a simple yet elegant way to entertain loved ones with an Italian feast, then this episode is for you. We'll guide you through making home cooking and hosting easy and enjoyable! This week you’ll discover: How to assemble a brilliant first course made entirely of prepared items you source and elevate from your local grocery store 3 make-ahead comfort foods that make hosting a breeze, including a game-changing technique for fail-proof risotto! An approachable strategy for homemade pasta that brings your friends and loved ones into the kitchen A dessert you can make from scratch to wow your friends, or a premade option that you can assemble and serve in an unexpected and delightful way Don't miss out on the chance to invite some friends over for a memorable Italian dinner party. Tune in now to learn how to make it easy, fun, and enjoyable for all—especially for you! *** Links to from this week’s show: Ina Garten’s antipasto platter Marinated mozzarella balls from We Are Not Martha Grissini breadsticks White bean bruschetta (hot) from Full of Beans and a simple white bean salad to top bruschetta from Fifteen Spatulas Simple homemade anchovy dressing from The Kitchn Sunday Sauce by Ali Slagle for the NY Times Marcella Hazan’s tortellini and her Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking cookbook Classic tortelloni from QBCucina , and Tortellini with asparagus and lemon from Taste of Home How to make easy oven baked risotto via The Kitchn Instant pot risotto from Pressure Cook Recipes Jules de Strooper cookies and Italian pizzelles Sonya’s crostada/galette recipe *** We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack , or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!