Celebrate the warmth and joy of an Italian summer at Bella Italia: chance to win a £250 voucher NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

One of our Mumsnet Family Friendly members, Bella Italia say "Italians are known for enjoying the good things in life- savouring the things which really matter: family time, relaxation, sunshine and of course great meals cooked with great ingredients! At Bella Italia, we share this passion, and you can now get a taste of the Italian summer with our new menu.

Start your meal with our Taste of Italy Antipasti platter with cured meats from the north and south of Italy and enjoy it over a lovely glass of Aperol Spritz. Our new Salmone Limone pasta, is the perfect summer dish, made using pasta from Italy’s oldest pasta maker, the Agnesi family, and it’s their craft which you can enjoy in many of our pasta dishes. To top it off, add a little sunshine to the end of your meal with our delicious Limoncello meringue pie."

Check out their new video here:

To celebrate the new summer menu - share on this thread what your favourite Italian summer dish is - add your favourite(s) to this thread and you will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £250 Bella Italia voucher

Bella Italia are also giving you the chance to create lovely family memories at Bella with their fabulous Kids Eat Free offer - get your code here

In bocca al lupo
MNHQ

It's got to be penne chicken arrabbiata. Just the right level of spice and a rich tomato sauce to set off the chicken. Goes perfectly with a cold glass of Pino Grigio and good company.

With ciabatta bread,olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dunking and sharing.

I like to finish the meal with limoncello ice cream, sunset and good conversation.

Bellissimo!

Antipasti is my ideal way of eating in the summer, following it up with gelato would be perfection.

What I love about Italian food, especially in Summer, is how fresh, light, tasty and meat-free it can be, and I'm not vegetarian!
So, for me, it would be a simple caprese salad; tasty, sweet tomatoes, light but delicious mozzarella, fresh basil and lovely olive oil. If I'm being honest, a big bowl of olives, too. My children love them!
Planning dinner now ...

Spaghetti alle vongole - spaghetti with clams. My favourite from holidays in southern Italy (Puglia, Campania). So simple and fresh tasting - it epitomises classic regional cooking. Wth a local wine to wash it down.

Followed by gelato (had to be really!) pistacchio. Mmmm!

Not particularly summery, but it would have to be aubergine parmigiana, followed by an affogato.

I love a tomato and mozzarella salad but my favourite ever Italian dish is tiramisu. Cool, creamy, with that boozy hit it's just absolutely delicious!

Gosh nearly ALL Italian food is a winner with me!

I love risotto, pizza and pasta... though maybe for a summer treat (out on the balcony, sun shining, glass of wine on hand) I'd go for some bruschetta with mozzarella, tomatoes, red onions & drizzle of olive oil

Carbonara is always a hit with all the family. Serves with freshly baked crusty bread. Yum!

A lovely prociutto & melon salad, followed by GF pasta in a simple ragu. Sometimes the simplest dishes can hit the spot. An ice cold Aperol spritzer to wash it down. Perfection.

I have a lovely memory of the perfect pizza I had when in Italy many years ago (pre kids when we had money and time for travelling!!). This had roasted Mediterranean veg on it and I remember ordering two because it was so amazing. There's no way I could replicate the taste here in the UK!

We do make loads of Italian pasta recipes though - carbonara is my kids favourite.

Carbonara, without a doubt. Easy to cook without spending too much time in the kitchen, and everyone can dive in to the pasta and a big, fresh Mediterranean side salad too. Perfect for a summer's evening!

Caprese! Love the simplicity of Italian food - tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, gluten of extra virgin olive oil and some cantata to mop up the juices. Perfect.

For me it's a delicious range of breads with oils etc and calzone- yum

A green risotto with lots of lovely vegetables like asparagus as baby broad beans and shavings of Parmesan. Alongside a dry white wine.

Prosecco, Pizza and ice cream / gelato. All enjoyed outdoors with friends.

I love the social element of what I see as the Italian way of eating. I like big mixed platters of small nibble foods - finely sliced meats, ripe warm tomatos, mozerrella slices, lightly dressed salad leaves, pickles, breads and oils. I like it when we have a big family meal and people casually graze on the nibble platters of food as the wine is poured and conversation flows.

A very low stress way of eating, drinking, socialising that fits particularly well with casual summer gatherings.

I love a wee caprese.
(Followed by mountains of pizza and ice cream)

Caprese, the perfect Italian salad.

Arancini with a salad for me.

Limoncello crema for me. I drink it very cold as a pudding , so technically it's a dish.

insalata di riso

It would have to be melanzane parmigiana for me - I just love aubergines!

Warm roast pepper, tomato and mozzarella bruschetta.
Spinach, pea and ricotta tagliatelle
Peach and water melon gelato
Yum!

I love a really fresh crusty bread with goats cheese and a cold glass of Pinot Grigio.

I love all the beautiful fresh food, and huge giant olives to start with...but for me if I am really honest it is always going to be pizza that wins, ideally with some lovely summery vegetables on it to balance out all the cheese and prosecco