Christmas Entertaining- Food to Have with Those Christmas Drinks - Go Italian Flavours

It is that time of year again and
the Jolly, Deck the Halls With Boughs of Holly Season, is once again, upon us.

So let’s add to the usual suspects, some Italian inspired bites
I am really keen on my pinwheels and they are always popular.
So many ideas for flavours
This year, The wonderful Italian Flavours
Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan

This is so simple and you can prepare ahead,
in fact they need to sit for at least 2 hours, the longer the better in fact

Remove from fridge just before you need them,
Slice, brush with egg wash and bake
Yumo

I use the bought Pastry Sheets.
Quantities are really up to you, depending on how many you want to make.
I make up my simple tomato sauce, for the base
If you don’t use it all, you can pop into a container and keep for a later date

So Ingredients

Tomato Sauce
1 can good preferably Italian chopped tinned Tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped
2 tbs Olive oil
Sea salt and freshly Ground Black pepper
Good pinch of sugar
Splash red wine vinegar

Gently heat olive oil in a pot and add the garlic
Let cook for a couple of minutes, just to soften, don't overcook it will become bitter

Add tomatoes
Stir, season to taste with Salt, Pepper, and Sugar
Let simmer gently till it becomes quite thick
Add splash of vinegar

Put aside to cool

Sheets of Flaky puff pastry
Bunch Basil leaves
Parmesan cheese finely grated

1 egg beaten with a splash of water

Lay out the pastry on the bench
Cover 2/3 of it with the Tomato sauce
Cover with Basil leaves

Grate Parmesan over

Brush to the empty 1/3 with the egg wash
Reserve the egg wash for cooking
Roll up and press down to seal

Cover and into the fridge for at least 2 hours
Overnight is better
Heat oven to 200C
Cut into slices
Place on lined baking sheet

Brush with remaining egg wash
Bake for 16-18 minutes, until golden It may take a little longer, depending on your oven

Keeping on the Italian theme…everyone likes Club Sandwiches
It’s one of the times, that only Supermarket Bread will do.

So I thought Caprese Salad
Tomatoes, Basil and Fresh Mozzarella

I’ve done quite a bit of research on Club Sandwiches, which includes, eating plenty of them!
also reading up on tips.
If you are watching your weight, well, maybe, only eat one.

Make sure you use plenty of butter, this protects the bread from getting soggy
Make sure your fillings are well seasoned and moist

Cut the crusts off, very important
Once again quantities, this is up to you.
So these are the ingredients for the Salad Caprese Club Sandwich

Nice ripe tomatoes, finely sliced,
Sit on paper towels for at least 10 minutes to absorb excess moisture
Bunch of basil leaves
Fresh Mozzarella, I used Boccacini sliced
Packet of sliced bread
Softened Butter
Sea Salt and freshly Ground Pepper

You need 3 slices of bread for each whole sandwich
Place slices of bread on the table
Butter the bread
Cover with slices of tomatoes
Place leaves of basil on  top

Season with S & P
Place another slice on top butter side down
Butter the top side of that
Cover with sliced cheese

Season with S & P
Cover with another slice of bread... Butter side down
Press very firmly,
Cut off the crusts
Slice into 3

or for pretty little sandwiches, cut into triangles

Place on serving plate
Cover with damp paper towels, till ready to serve
If making further ahead, also cover with plastic wrap
But I suggest when using tomatoes, eat as soon as possible

So so yummy

Some other ideas for fillings
Just add seasoning to your taste

Chopped chicken,
Spring onions finely chopped
Chopped parsley
Grated Cucumber (squeeze all of the juice out before using)

3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
Squeeze Lemon juice
Sea salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper
Mix all the mayo ingredients together

Add enough of the Mayo mix to the chicken etc... to make a nice moist filling
Rocket (Arugala)


Hot smoked salmon
Gherkins finely chopped

3 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Touch of gherkin vinegar
Sea salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper
Mix all mayo ingredients together 

Once again. add as much of the Mayo mix, to the salmon as needed


Rocket

So, with the two fillings above
Make the protein layer the bottom layer

Cover with bread
Then keep the rocket separate,
Season
Top with final slice of bread