What are your Friday night plans? What about an Italian night in?

Italy is the place where from my ancestors lived, ate, laughed, and danced. I was lucky enough to travel abroad and experience 6 weeks of bliss along the side streets of Rome, the piazzas of Sienna, the markets of Florence, and the gelaterias of Sienna. I miss it every day.

My family is Italian and our traditions are heavily devoted to our roots. Here is a guide to a fun, simple night in to spend with friends or family. I guarantee you will have a memorable one.

Music: play some Dean Martin and Louis Prima! Make a Pandora playlist of Italian Dinner classics, find that old Mob Hits cd you have buried somewhere, or do what my friends do, call an Italian for some suggestions. It really sets the mood to start cooking the meal with the music playing in the background. Put that Prosecco in the fridge to chill!

Menu: No meal is complete without the 3 key parts— antipasto, pasta, and vino. Antipasto can be olives, bread, cheese, roasted peppers, bruschetta, whatever you like. You can get my Grandma’s authentic Italian recipes here.

For these last few summer nights, a cold spaghetti is delicious and refreshing like any pasta salad— just dice garlic, tomatoes, and basil for room-temperature spaghetti. To finish, add salt, pepper, pecorino romano cheese & olive oil.

After dinner, fresh fruit and nuts are served, with more Prosecco. This helps digestion, and is a good snack during the movie.

Movies: Mickey Blue Eyes —for a good laugh // Il Postino —a sweet story with beautiful scenery // It Started in Naples— what’s an Italian night in without Sophia Loren? // Moonstruck —a little New York-Italian culture shock.