There’s no place like home! Why go out when you can create your fondest memories with friends and family in the comfort of your own home? For the most delicious, memorable, comfortable experience, set the stage Family Style with Contessa!
Keep it casual and personal! Aim for what you consider your most comfy everyday setting. Don’t wait for a special occasion! Some of the best things in life are spontaneous. Play your favorite music! Nothing ties a room together like the perfect song. Keep it real! Use the decor you already have. A colander can make a great fruit bowl. Let your imagination fly! Homegrown flowers are a great touch. Have fun with things! Ignore the rules. Cloth napkins are a tradition! Set the stage with your existing place mats, or get creative and make your own. Many things can serve as place mats. They don’t even have to match. Avoid scented candles! Allow the aroma of delicious Contessa meals to fill your home. Don’t forget appetizers! Olives, pickles, artichokes, fruits, cheeses, chips, salsa, you name it! We all love salad! Homemade dressing and croutons made from scratch are to die for. Crush your own black pepper! Nothing says homestyle like freshly baked bread. Mmmmm! The smell! Have a fruit tree? Make juice! Live off the land! Entertain! Round up some jokes beforehand. Play a game. Make new memories! Don’t forget dessert! Ice cream works every time. For group fun, how about some do-it-yourself milkshakes or sundaes? Throw on a movie! Pull those board games out of the closet! Enjoy the company of one another.
Affection, passion, crush. Tenderness, fondness, infatuation. No matter which word you choose, no matter what language you speak, it’s all love! And nothing goes better with love than a delicious meal to ignite your senses. Why go out to dinner when you can have a romantic dinner for two in the intimacy of your own home? Contessa sets the stage for you and your sweetheart, producing authentic meals from all around the globe.
Escape with your lover to a faraway place without even leaving your dining room! From the yin and yang of Asian dishes to the exotic tastes of the Mediterranean, from spicy Hispanic flavors to traditional homestyle fare, Contessa’s got you two covered.XOXO
Aroma, presentation, taste, touch, sound. The Asian spirit is about balance, and you can achieve it yourself with the help of Contessa Asian meals and a few tips! Leave the dining table for another night! How about sitting on floor pillows around the coffee table this time? Drape a runner! A Lazy Susan makes for an authentic and convenient centerpiece. Mood is all about the music! Think zen. Use cloth napkins! Wrap them with rice paper for added fun. A natural element, like a river rock, can make a wonderful replacement for napkin rings. Nothing says Asian like chopsticks! While you’re at it, how about using your best china? Floral accents make a difference. Try lilies or orchids! Hot n’ Sour Wonton soup or Chinese Chicken Salad whets the appetite for the main course. Wash it down authentically! Green tea and sake are perfect choices. Indulge in a green tea ice cream or Asian pears for dessert. Confucius say: Finish with fortune cookies for fun conversation!
The Latin spirit is bright, spicy, and sensual! Why go out for Hispanic food when you can do it at home? Contessa offers a collection of Hispanic meals to help you make it the perfect evening. Here are some tips: Music! The infectious grooves of salsa gets the appetite going! Look for collections of instrumental Latin music and other compilations. World music works great too! A unique runner or scarf is a perfect decorative touch for the table! Don’t forget the basics: sour cream, cilantro, freshly cut limes, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips. Let the vibrant colors of the food shine! Presentation equals pop! For large gatherings, a buffet-style serving system can be a great idea. Include houseplants! Use what you have. Avoid scented candles, which can interfere. Let the delicious aroma of the food do its thing. Drinks! Mango margaritas, Mexican cerveza, fresh mint lemonade! Mmmmm! Drink responsibly. Don’t forget dessert! Flan, ice cream, or tropical fruit are traditional. Weather warm? Dine on the patio! A cool green salad is a welcome complement to any spicy dish.
Ah, the flavor of the Mediterranean! Tangy sauces, fresh vegetables, fine wine… few cuisines invoke the flavor of an ocean breeze like Contessa Mediterranean dishes. Here are some tips to do it right! The more, the merrier! Invite friends and family! Think efficiently! Europeans have learned to enjoy their belongings to the fullest, cherishing them for generations. Use what you have! Classical music, opera, or even movie soundtracks fit in perfectly with the Mediterranean spirit! Remove those paper napkins! Use cloth napkins. Mediterranean meals work wonderful outside as well as inside. If weather permits, take advantage of the warm weather and dine outside with the breeze! Let your food be the table’s decor! Use a crisp white table cloth or no table cloth at all. Formal silverware gives the feel of fine dining. What are you waiting for? Break it out! Don’t forget to show off those flowers you picked from the garden! Candlelight, candlelight, candlelight. Unscented is best! Appetizers can be easy! Olives, cheeses, Melba toast, bread or crackers, fruits, and balsamic vinegar for dipping. Use your imagination! Salad is always a good start in Mediterranean cuisine. Cut tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, a little salt and pepper. Top it all off with olive oil and a good vinegar! Fresh bread can be your secret weapon! Warm Focaccia or Ciabatta slices with some extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar make the mouth water. Offer your guests a choice of white or red wine. Everyday glasses are fine. Prepare a witty toast beforehand! Vanilla ice cream is a staple, as is spumoni if you can find it. A dash of balsamic vinegar on vanilla ice cream is surprisingly delicious! Offer hot tea or coffee as an option. Sweet tooths love Biscotti or Panettone! Please drink responsibly, and always have a designated driver.