First,here's a little story & knowledge as to why I wanted to theme this year's Christmas as "Limoncello".
So,after our Wine Tasting at my Birthday Party_"Under The Tuscan Sun"(2011)...conducted by the Regional Manager from Candoni Wines....
An Italian lemon liqueur mainly produced in Southern Italy,especially in the region around the Gulf of Naples,the Sorrentine Penninsula and the coast of Amalfi, and islands of Procida,Ischia,and Capri.Although there is debate about the exact origin of the drink, it is at least one hundred years old.
Traditionally, it is made from the zest of Femminello St. Teresa lemons, also known as Sorrento lemons or Sfusato Lemons.Lemon zest, or peels without the pith, is steeped in rectified spirit until the oil is released. The resulting yellow liquid is then mixed with simple syrup. Varying sugar to water ratio and temperature will affect the clarity, viscosity, and flavor. Opaque limoncellos are the result of spontaneous emulsification (otherwise known as the Ouzo Effect) of the sugar syrup and extracted lemon oils.
Limoncello is the second most popular liqueur in Italy and it has recently become popular in other parts of the world.Limoncello has an ethanol content of 28-32% & considered optimal ,it is traditionally served chilled after-dinner,has many variations i.e. Pistachiocello (flavored with pistachio nuts), Meloncello (flavored with cantaloupe), and Fragoncello (flavored with strawberry).And with less alcoholic, (at around 16% vol.) creamier version also exists, known as Crema di Limoncello.
First..we did our Tradition of Toasting with
Candoni Prosecco
...in my long handle Toasting Glasses...see below on coffee table_here's a photo I found of 2....
THEN after a bite to eat...Let the Tasting begin_(Tasting Tray with Shot glasses & Limoncello).
And, another friend (Bev)_offered the OTHER drink of Italy she'd pick up on her last trip to Florence,Italy...
Grappa...is an alcoholic beverage, a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Italian origin that contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume (70 to 120 US proof)....of which WE ALL SAID..."JUST SAY NO"!
"THE MENU"
For my "Limoncello Christmas Dinner Party" (12-7-14)....Appetizers: Lemon & Fig Tapenade w/Lemon Pepper Crackers, Prosciutto & Fig Crostata, Artichoke Dip,Cornichons,Stuffed Pepperoncini.
Salad: Fresh Mozzarella Celery Salad w/Limoncello Vinegar Dressing and Arugula w/ Warm Broiled Lemons served w/ warm Focacci Bread.
Main: Crab Cakes w/ Lemon Tarragon Tarter Sauce,Green Bean Gremolate, Spinach Ravioli and Fettuccine w/Shrimp in Limoncello Creme Sauce.
Desserts: Pandora Lemodora Cake w/ Limoncello Ice Cream,Baba' al liquore di limoni Cake,Cookies(Pantorrone al Lomomcello & Amaretto Limoncello).
Beverages: Lemon Verbena Tea,Prosecco & Pinot Grigio. "Limoncello Tasting"_Limoncello Panna Liquore & Gioia Luisa Limoncello Liqueur,+Grappa.
Snacks:Limoncello Almond candy and Limoncello Dark Chocolate........It was "A LEMONY WEEKEND HERE AT AARON'S HILLTOP FARM,Texas".
~Toasting Glasses w/Red handles~
YUMMY!!!!!!
TABLESCAPE...
Last but not least...I want to make this clear...Gioia Luisa Sweets Limoncello Rhum "Babà" is NOT to be taken lightly(Italian After Dinner Dessert).It is a small yeast cake saturated in Hard Liquor.
Limoncello in this case_usually Rum. It was part of the Gift Basket I ordered from www.dolceterra.com
Great Products,Great Customer Service...Thank-You!
My FAVORITE was the Limoncello Panna(Creme)...OMG!! So good,smooth,rich....WAIT...I need a shot right NOW!
And in the end...it's these GURLFRIENDS pictured_that count the most_and we missed Amy in Washington State & Shelly in Hill Country,Texas....maybe next time!
My "Partners -in-Crime"....(Bev.came late,not in photo)..
Ginger P.,KB,Val,Joy D.,Pammy P.(me) and Jilly P. Indeed, it was a "Limoncello Christmas" here at Aaron's Hilltop Farm!
"SEAL OF APPROVAL"
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