I hosted "Girls' Night" at my house this month! These girls are in my bunco group that is no longer playing bunco, but still meeting once a month to "hang out!" I didn't really have an activity planned so I decided to have a themed dinner...."A Night in Italy!"
I spent a summer in Italy during college and I vividly remember all of the cafes & restaurants having lots of red and white checked tablecloths as well as candles lit on every table. In order to create that same atmosphere, I had to get crafty! I decided to create my own wine bottle candle holders. Every night for a couple of nights, I would let a candle melt to create the layered wax effect.
I also would just melt a candle on the side of the bottle and that worked well too!!
I only burned my fingers a few times! :)
My Mom gave me some tablecloths she had on hand, and she cut ivy off of the side of my parents' house for a final touch! I was excited about how this all came together and for absolutely no cost-everything was already on hand!
Whenever I host something at my house, I always feel like I miss out on the fun becuase I am in the kitchen getting the food ready so this time, I prepared as much as possible in advance so I would be able to visit with the girls!
Menu
Pizza Dip
(Pinterest Inspired)
Italian Bread Slices
I just cut italian bread into small slices then covered these in olive oil & garlic salt! I popped them in the oven for about 10 minutes...flipping once! I thought these were perfect for spreading on the pizza dip!
Ceasar Salad
Stouffer's Lasagna
Garlic Bread
Tiramisu
I have a "go-to" Tiramisu recipe that I normally use, but it contains mascarpone cheese - which can be hard to find and raw eggs! Since my friends are in the "making & having babies" stage of life, I thought I would steer clear of raw eggs! I found this "Easy Tiramisu" recipe on marthastewart.com! I gave it a whirl, and thought it turned out to be pretty tasty! This was also a great recipe becuase it was a make ahead dish!
Easy Tiramisu
3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 bar (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 packages (3 ounces each) soft ladyfingers
Unsweetened cocoa powder, for dusting
Directions
1.In a medium bowl, mix espresso powder with 3 tablespoons boiling water until dissolved. Add 1 1/2 cups cold water; set aside.
2.With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese with heavy cream and sugar until light and fluffy.
3.Spread a few tablespoons of cream-cheese mixture in the bottom of a 2-quart serving dish. Separate ladyfingers. One by one, dip a third of ladyfingers in espresso, then arrange in bottom of dish. Spread with a third of cream-cheese mixture. Repeat twice with remaining ladyfingers, espresso, and cream-cheese mixture (can be refrigerated, covered, up to 1 day).
4.Dust with cocoa just before serving.
I had so much fun getting together this "Night in Italy" themed dinner!
I can't wait for more fun dinners with my sweet friends!!
Laura is my bunco partner & she was a great help as usual!!
Thanks for all of your help, Laura!
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