Well...we start out with a cold antipasto. That is a assortment of breads( Oh I love the olive bread), cheeses, dry sausage, sopresatta, prosciutto, olives, fresh mozzarella with tomato and basil, assortment of peppers and basically finger foods. With wine flowing...
My Pop tells the kids to not fill up on the bread...always:p The little kids love putting the black olives on their fingers tips to eat them. I did that too before I got to sit at the BIG table:D.
1 Hour in between next course and a reminder that no politics will be spoken.
My Mom brings out the trays of home made fresh manicotti. Everyone is limited to 2 except the kids. The wine still flowing.
1 hour in between next course. No politics reminder...again.
Then the main dish usually is a Karl Ehmer ham on the bone with candied yams and asparugus. Basted with ginger ale and some Vermont syrup.
I'll never tell where I got it:D.
After that everyone makes a beeline for the couches, the belts open up and some snooze until dessert right there in the living room. Most picking their teeth. Makes for some good pictures:p
After the dishes are cleaned, the nuts( walnuts, hazelnuts, brazil nuts and roasted chestnuts), figs and dates are brought out.
THEN....
The cakes, desserts and espresso coffee are served with Sambuca or anisette.
Home made ricotta chesse cake, aginettes(lemon cookies), marzepan cake that and but kicking Ambrosia( sour cream, marshmallow, pineapple, coconut shreds, choc chips, tangerines, fluffanutter) that my wife makes.
After that all you basically have to do is pass out:p