I few weeks back, I received an email from Foodbuzz asking is I was interested in hosting a Buitoni Frozen Meals and Salad pairing party. My first thought, was ummmm…..let me consider it a minute…..YES! Honestly, I jumped at the chance to participate. I saw it as a great opportunity to try out some new foods, cook up some delicious accompaniments to go with it, and best of all, have a group of friends over to celebrate the entire process. So I submitted my proposal and waited to hear the result. Shortly after sending out the email I received the reply back that they liked my proposal and to get my party started. Woohoo!
I immediately got to work putting together an event that would represent the eight different regions of Italy. I found an amazing cookbook that was my inspiration for the entire idea:
Buitoni sent us 10 coupons to use towards their Complete Frozen Meals so we decided to try five different flavors of pasta and pair it with five different salads from each of the regions of Italy. The pastas we chose were:
Grilled Chicken and Spinach Cannelloni
Braised Beef and Sausage Ravioli
Chicken and Mushroom Ravioli
Shrimp and Lobster Ravioli
Four Cheese and Spinach Ravioli
I love how easily these meals cooked up. It really helped to bring the whole party together quickly. All the choices were delicious and everyone loved trying the different flavors. The two favorites of the evening were the Chicken and Mushroom Ravioli and the Grilled Chicken and Spinach Cannelloni.
The salad pairings were a huge hit as well. We did warm salads in addition to cold and also threw a fruit salad in for the kids (there were seven of them there – never a dull moment!).
All in all it was a really fun experience and I can’t wait for the next opportunity to host another fun filled party! Here are a few pictures from our evening:
Julie,
What a delightful evening! The spread looks outstanding, and it seems like the company was great. I'm glad you had a wonderful evening!
i'm fairly certain that i would have to be rolled away from the premises after a feast like this. no, there would be no walking. 🙂
Wow look at you go girl! You know Iove ya right? I've got a little somethin' somethin' for you over at my place today. Swing on by and take a look.
http://mawhats4dinner.com/it-must-be-award-season/
Lots of yummy love,
Alex aka Ma, What's For Dinner
http://www.mawhats4dinner.com
Friend, please invite me to the next party.
What fun! It all looks marvelous–especially the salad with cherries! Recipe???
I have that book too!! what a wonderful meal you created!! and your pictures are beautiful!!
thanks so much for sharing them!
That looks like it was so much fun! I had that opportunity as well, but passed since it's our busy season at work, but next time–I'm in, it looks like it was fun to do, keep on having a great vacay!
anne
http://www.anniebakes.net
Love your house, Julie. The colors are elegant!
I DID purchase a bag of Buitoni's pasta. It's 100% better than anything I could whip up! Please DON'T get the wrong idea. Once upon a time, I was GREAT cook. I honestly don't know what happened, but one day I prepared a meal and it was inedilble. From that day on, everything I prepared tasted ickky. I must have dissed Betty Crocker, for her "boxes" and she cast a spell on me and bopped me over the head with a wooden spoon. Hey, THAT'S where my confusion stems from. All in all, I WISH I could have been a guest at your Italianfest. The antipasto looks antipasta! The platters look delightfully devine.
I love your yellow kitchen and your red glasses!!
Those dishes look great, especially the pastas.
Dennis, isn't that book amazing?! Everything I've made from it has been delicious so far.
Recipes will be coming for some of these. I took pictures of the process and all! I didn't take pictures of the fruit salad proceedings, but I'd be happy to pass it on as it was worth a second making. I promise to put it out once I return home after the 4th.
I loved being a part of that fun evening. Thanks for letting me be a part of it!
Kate
Everything looks so yummy. Love your salads. What a spread!