December 17, 2007...12:31 pm
Cater it and fake it!
So, you are planning a dinner party this weekend…or maybe it’s for Christmas Eve. Regardless of when, you suddenly find your self surmising all of the “stuff” you have to do in the next 7 days before “the big day” - Christmas. You still have to shop for Uncle Jim and your Sally’s teacher…oh, and don’t forget all those cookies you need to bake for your neighbors… Christmas cards? Oh, those. Suddenly, the idea of throwing this party - or offering to host Christmas at your house (Dang! you forgot to hire someone to come clean for you, too, didn’t you! 
) - just doesn’t seem like the good idea it did 6 six weeks ago!
Well, here’s an idea to help take take part of it off your shoulders. Order a lasagna from Cucina di Paolo http://www.cucinadipaolo.com/ or the Stuffed Olive http://www.thestuffedolive.net/id7.html. We’ve sampled both and think they are pretty good - though my husband definitely would tell you he prefers the Stuffed Olive!
This weekend, we participated in a Progressive Dinner and were responsible to assist with the main dish. On my way to Costco to get some lasagna, I suddenly remembered Cucina di Paolo - which was nearby. Not feeling ambitious enough to brave the Costco crowd (on a Saturday a.m., no less), I did a U-turn and picked up a 15-piece traditional lasagna for about $30. Mission accomplished. Several of our friends who tried it, said they thought it was pretty tasty.
Cucina di Paolo can make the lasagnas on demand (takes about 5 min.), or you can buy what they have in the case. The offer several different ones you can try (14 varieties according to their website). We did the traditional which was pretty mild and comes with an alfredo-type sauce that you pour on top.
The Stuffed Olive on the other hand is a more spicy lasagna - AND THICK! You definitely need to call ahead (at least day is preferred).
Both restaurants have more than just lasagna if that’s not your style.
Either way, when it takes the pressure off you, and you don’t have to do anything but pop it in the oven…how can you go wrong?
(and then, pick up some amazing artisian bread from Zeppole Bakery and a bottle of wine from 8th Street Wine Co.! - see previous posts!)
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