bocca di bacco

Summer Sizzle Table

Screen Shot 2015-06-03 at 11.46.36 AM The fun continues!

I have had so much fun in the whirlwind of the past few weeks, but when it comes down to it, my true passion will also be found in food. Being able to do what I am passionate about, and get to share it with people, is a dream come true! Which is why I am excited to share that I will be hosting a summer edition of Kristin's Table, my five-course food & wine tasting event, next week! Join me for "Summer Sizzle Table" at 7pm on June 9th at Bocca di Bacco Chelsea for a truly unforgettable evening of food, wine, and learning together. Reserve your seats today by emailing monica@kristinsollenne.com. See you there!

Arancini Bocca di Bacco

arancini balls When the weather is gloomy, I always find cooking to be a perfect way to spend an afternoon or evening. It's cozy, the house is warm and fragrant from the stove simmering away, and you can always open a bottle of your favorite wine to sip while you cook! And, when it's all done, you have a wonderful meal to enjoy together. It almost makes me thankful for the clouds!

One of my favorite classic Italian dishes to cook at home is Arancini, Italian-style saffron rice balls. With Earth Day this week, I was reminded of how important it is to reduce our waste in every capacity, and food is no exception! This is a perfect dish to prepare using leftover risotto from the previous days dinner. Never throw away ingredients that you can reinvent in a new, delicious dish!

You can choose to customize your Arancini based on your taste, or what you have on-hand, but the general way to make them uses risotto, mozzarella, egg,  and bread crumbs.  You'll mix the pre-made risotto, eggs, and bread crumbs together and form them into balls before adding your mozzarella into the center of each, rolling in additional bread crumbs and frying lightly in hot oil. At Bocca di Bacco we serve these delicious risotto balls with a delicious red sauce, which I highly recommend--and of course, every Italian dish is better paired with a glass of wine!

What's your favorite way to re-invent leftover ingredients? Share your tips in the comments!

The Catering Salon

Well guys, I have to admit, I LOVE PARTIES! What do I love about them? Planning the party, creating tablescapes and designing menus to fit any occasion. So it only made sense for me to branch into my NEW catering company, the Catering Salon! We now cater for weddings, birthdays, corporate events and pretty much any party you can think of. Whether the event is taking place in one of our restaurants or at another venue, we can cater and design an event just for you! Cool, right?!

I wanted to create an event production company that would work around anyone's budget and vision. So, whether it's a black-tie bar service or a casual aesthetic, we would take care of your needs from A-Z. 

Every booked event will receive a complimentary tasting as well, which I think is so great! Sometimes I find that when planning parties you don't really know what you're getting until you're actually enjoying your party! With Catering Salon, you get to be a part of the party process all along the way. 

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We have two menus to choose from, a Three Course and a 4 Course. Both menus include butler passed hors d'oeuvres and include cake cutting or champagne wedding toasts if it's a special event. I'm really proud of the team we have created for the Catering Salon and can't wait to spend your important celebrations together! 

To learn more or to begin planning your event, shoot us an email! I'd love to hear your feedback and answer any questions you may have!