Here at one of the best Italian restaurants Orlando, we understand there is nothing more satisfying or soothing than a hot bowl of soup, stew or pasta on a cold winter’s day. Throughout Italy there is a wide and wonderful selection of dishes that will fit the bill perfectly for a hearty and warming meal. Pasta Fagioli and Minestrone soups are probably at the top of most lists when it comes to fulfilling a craving for an Italian cold weather lunch or dinner, but here are a few other suggestions that will help round out your quest for that perfect cold weather Italian meal.
Ribollita is a Tuscan soup made with cannellini beans, carrots, celery, onions, garlic and tomatoes. In some recipes ham or prosciutto is added, but all recipes include leftover bread. This recipe served to utilize all leftover veggies and stale bread in the house. It’s made from what is in the pantry and fridge and there is no need to brave the cold outside. Throw in a rind of parmesan to really make this dish special!
Gnocchi is another hearty dish that is sure to please on a frosty day. These cute little scored rolls of potato can be made from leftover mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes or even baked potatoes mixed with a smattering of flour and salt. Some regions make them from flour or semolina (these versions will include eggs or cheese as a binder.) Gnocchi can be served sautéed in butter, with pesto or a red sauce.
Rich and creamy polenta is another robust dish. Prepared from cornmeal, you can make polenta from scratch or use a quick-cooking polenta and add any assortment of flavors to please your palate. Lots of butter, cream and cheese can make polenta a delicious meal to eat as a stand-alone, or a heavenly bed upon which stewed or braised chicken or beef can be nestled, and thus transforming your meal into one that will warm you from head to toe.
Another meal that is a family favorite and requested during the cold weather is hearty lasagna. Succulent pasta layered with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, ground beef, sausage and homemade sauce – truly a filling and rich meal better suited to chilly weather. Add a beautiful salad dressed with delicious and light olive oil vinaigrette and a tasty red wine. What’s not to love?
How about a fresh and fabulous Zuppa di Pesce? A substantial fish soup consisting of clams, shrimp, mussels, crayfish, cod or any other combination your fish monger says is fresh and at the peak of flavor. Cooked with tomatoes, garlic, carrots, onions, fresh herbs and served with a crusty bread. Move over clam chowder!
Expand your tastes to include some of these hearty and traditional Italian specialties. Your family will be thrilled when you introduce them to your winter menu selections! If you’re craving the Italian excellence but don’t want to cook, head over to Christini’s, one of the best restaurants in Orlando for the most authentic northern Italian cuisines in Orlando. We’ll bring the experience and the elegance, all you need to bring is your family.
