June 21th is the date on which the summer solstice falls this year, which is the time when spring ends and the summer season begins astronomically in the Northern Hemisphere! It will be the longest day of the year, and why not celebrate the beginning of summer with a nice feast involving your loved ones and lots of enjoyable food?
Today, we at Dolceitaliano bring you an unmissable selection of gourmet, artisanal and Made in Italy references to accompany you in your early summer buffet!
Summer has officially arrived, and to combat this scorching heat we suggest an original muggy-proof idea to accompany your aperitif: mocktails! Cool, non-alcoholic cocktails ideal in combination with a savory buffet. We suggest a simple and delicious recipe with Dammann Frères' Fidji herbal tea, with herbs flavored with notes of lemongrass and ginger, apple and orange pieces.
Tip: adding honey will maximize the flavors of the herbal tea!
To prepare a 1-liter pitcher you will need tea: 70 g of Fidji herbal tea; water: 650 gr; ice: 1.5 kg; honey: 100 g.
METHOD OF PREPARATION:
This herbal tea will refresh your spirits and allow you to start your summer solstice celebration on the right foot!
Savory treats
After a worthy welcome mocktail, the appetizer dances begin! But you know, with the heat and mugginess, people prefer to snack on small bites so as not to weigh themselves down. So let's focus on preparing a fresh buffet with good and digestible products!
What could be fresher but at the same time tasty and enjoyable than a charcuterie and cheese board: to make the classic old-school board fresher and tastier, try serving it with sides of vegetables and fresh fruit and why not, lots of jams and honeys to go with it. Jam and cheese? The winning pairing! Here's a guide on the perfect pairings between different types of cheeses and jams:
Now we offer gourmet leavened products to accompany your cutting board: Attilio Servi's savory flatbreads are excellent! Try it in the "Trionfo d'Italia" version with sun-dried tomatoes, pecorino cheese and oregano, with an intense and flavorful taste!
Crispy and appetizing, the tasty breadsticks from Il Buongustaio cannot be missing from your buffet: there is something for everyone! From turmeric and cereal to more unusual flavors like seawater and goji berries. With this kit, you can try the whole selection at once, offering your diners a wide range selection!
After this delicious and original buffet, you need a toast and why not, a sweet treat!
On warm summer evenings, you cannot miss a good wine to cheer in company: white and fresh are the watchwords, and the right wine is Malvasia Istarska 2021 by Benvenuti, a new producer who has landed on Dolceitaliano. This wine presents itself on the nose with pronounced notes of green apple and peach followed by a foreal note of acacia. Dry, adorned with beautiful freshness and great minerality it will be perfect for celebrating the beginning of summer!
And after a good wine, it's time to turn to dessert: today we suggest summer-proof and buffet-themed ideas! Original, fresh and always tasty is Angelo Grippa's Babettone jevulese, with ebolitane apricots and bourbon vanilla bath! Try it and enjoy!
Classic and timeless? The tart! We bring you Master Pastry Chef Roberto Cantolacqua's version with apricot jam, fragrant, sweet and fruity, it will be the perfect conclusion to your banquet in honor of the beginning of summer!
