The Nicol Edit / Christmas / Italian Entertaining
A golden Parmigiano crown, the finest traditions of Italian antipasti and the pleasure of gathering around a beautifully dressed Christmas table.
An original festive creation developed by Nicol Retailer Limited.
There is a moment at every memorable Christmas gathering when the food becomes more than a meal. The conversation softens, anticipation fills the room and something extraordinary arrives at the table.
For Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare, that moment begins with a delicate golden crown of Parmigiano Reggiano. Beneath it lies an elegant collection of Italian cured meats, creamy Burrata, fresh Mozzarella and vibrant Mediterranean ingredients.
It is an expression of everything we love about Italian entertaining: generosity, exceptional ingredients, beautiful presentation and the simple pleasure of sharing.
The Italian Christmas Table
Where Tradition Meets a Little Theatre
The Italian approach to festive dining is rooted in conviviality. A beautiful table is an invitation to slow down, savour each course and enjoy the company of those gathered around it.
Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare takes inspiration from that tradition and reimagines the Italian antipasti experience as a sophisticated Christmas centrepiece.
Carefully folded slices of Italian cured meats create a tapestry of delicate pinks, rich reds and beautifully marbled textures. At the centre, creamy Burrata di Puglia provides a luxurious contrast to the savoury intensity of the salumi.
Roasted cherry tomatoes, ripe figs, Mediterranean olives, artichokes, sweet peppers and fresh basil bring brightness and balance.
Discover more inspiration in the Nicol Retailer Italian recipe collection , where premium ingredients meet thoughtful home cooking.
The Signature Reveal
A Golden Crown Worth Waiting For
The defining feature of this dish is its edible Parmigiano Reggiano crown: a delicate, lace-like creation baked until golden and shaped into an elegant dome.
Its beauty lies in its simplicity. A celebrated Italian cheese, carefully prepared, becomes the most captivating element of the Christmas table.
Lift the crown in front of your guests to reveal the feast beneath. Then break the crisp Parmigiano into golden shards to enjoy alongside the cured meats and soft cheeses.
To discover more about the heritage and traditional production of this celebrated cheese, visit the official Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium .
For pairing inspiration, explore Nicol Retailer’s Italian cheese buying guide .
The Ingredients
An Italian Symphony of Flavour and Texture
The Art of Italian Salumi
Delicate Prosciutto Crudo, rich Coppa and refined Bresaola create the foundation of the feast. Aromatic San Michele Salame Napoli brings a deeper savoury note, while Martelli Pistachio Mortadella adds its distinctive silky texture.
The Luxury of Italian Cheese
Fresh Burrata di Puglia is the creamy heart of the dish. Delicate Mozzarella and mature Parmigiano Reggiano complete a beautifully balanced cheese selection.
Mediterranean Jewels
Sweet roasted tomatoes, fresh figs , olives, artichokes and roasted peppers bring vivid colour and refreshing contrast.
The Finishing Flourish
Fresh basil, peppery rocket, toasted pistachios and a restrained drizzle of De Nigris Balsamic Glaze provide the final touches.
The Nicol Italian Edit
Exceptional Entertaining Begins with Exceptional Ingredients
From beautifully crafted Italian salumi to indulgent artisan cheeses, discover the ingredients that make Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare a feast worth celebrating.
The Recipe
Make Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare
Bring the beauty of an Italian Christmas celebration to your own table. Follow our original recipe below to create the delicate Parmigiano crown, arrange the premium antipasti and perfect the final golden reveal.
Serves: 8–10 guests
Preparation: 40 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Cooling: 20 minutes
Total: Approximately 90 minutes
Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare – The Golden Italian Christmas Reveal
Ingredients
Edible Parmigiano crown
- 240 g Parmigiano Reggiano finely grated
- 3 g Fresh rosemary finely chopped
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
Italian cured meats
- 150 g Prosciutto Crudo thinly sliced
- 120 g Bresaola thinly sliced
- 120 g Coppa thinly sliced
- 120 g Salame Napoli thinly sliced
- 150 g Mortadella with pistachio thinly sliced
Italian cheese centrepiece
- 375 g Burrata di Puglia 3 x 125 g balls, drained
- 200 g Mozzarella drained
- 20 ml Extra virgin olive oil
- 15 g Fresh basil
Mediterranean Christmas jewels
- 250 g Cherry tomatoes
- 4 Fresh figs quartered
- 150 g Marinated artichoke hearts drained
- 180 g Mixed Italian olives drained
- 150 g Roasted red peppers drained
- 100 g Sun-dried tomatoes drained
- 35 g Shelled pistachios lightly toasted
- 40 g Rocket
- 20 ml Balsamic glaze
- 20 ml Extra virgin olive oil
To serve
- 400 g Rosemary focaccia sliced and gently warmed
Instructions
Make the golden Parmigiano crown
- Preheat the oven to 190°C / 170°C fan. Line a baking tray with non-stick baking parchment.
- Spread 120 g of the grated Parmigiano into a thin, connected 24–26 cm circle. Scatter with half the rosemary and pepper. Bake for 6–9 minutes until melted and golden.
- Cool for approximately 30–60 seconds until flexible but no longer runny. Carefully drape over an inverted, lightly oiled, heatproof bowl to form a shallow dome. Repeat with the remaining Parmigiano and seasonings to make a second dome if desired. Leave to cool and harden completely for approximately 20 minutes. Keep dry.
Prepare the Mediterranean vegetables
- Toss the cherry tomatoes with 20 ml olive oil. Roast at 190°C / 170°C fan for 15–18 minutes until softened. Cool before placing near chilled cheese and meats.
- Drain the artichokes, olives, roasted peppers and sun-dried tomatoes. Quarter the figs. Toast the pistachios gently in a dry pan, then cool.
Shape the Italian cured meats
- Fold the Prosciutto into loose ribbons, the Bresaola into rosettes and the Coppa into soft overlapping layers. Fan the Salame Napoli and fold the Mortadella into quarters. Keep covered and refrigerated until assembly.
Prepare the cheese centrepiece
- Drain the Burrata and Mozzarella. Arrange in a shallow serving dish or at the centre of a large platter. Add cooled roasted tomatoes and torn basil, drizzle with 20 ml olive oil and season with black pepper if desired.
Assemble and reveal
- On a large platter, arrange the Italian cured meats in distinct clusters around the Burrata and Mozzarella. Fill the spaces with figs, artichokes, olives, peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and rocket.
- Scatter over the toasted pistachios and add the balsamic glaze sparingly. Just before presenting, balance one cooled Parmigiano dome securely over the centrepiece without crushing the ingredients.
- At the table, lift off the edible crown and break it carefully into shareable pieces. Serve promptly with warm rosemary focaccia. Offer the second crown separately or as a replacement.
Notes
Nutrition
The Nicol Edit / The Art of Serving
Beyond the Recipe: A Celebration of Italian Hospitality
A truly memorable Christmas table is not defined by extravagance alone, but by the pleasure of sharing exceptional food beautifully.
In Italian entertaining, the arrival of the antipasti signals the beginning of something special. It invites guests to gather, savour and enjoy the anticipation of the courses to come.
Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare embraces that tradition with a contemporary, theatrical flourish. The golden Parmigiano crown provides the spectacle; the exceptional Italian cured meats, artisan cheeses and Mediterranean ingredients deliver the flavour.
Whether presented at an intimate Christmas dinner or as the centrepiece of a generous festive gathering, the secret lies in creating a beautiful balance of elegance, abundance and effortless hospitality.
The Entertaining Edit
Four Beautiful Ways to Serve Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare
01 / The Grand Christmas Starter
For a sophisticated Christmas dinner, present the antipasti on a generous ivory ceramic platter, allowing the delicate colours of the salumi, creamy cheeses and Mediterranean produce to take centre stage.
Lift the Parmigiano crown in front of your guests before dividing the feast into individual portions. Finish each plate with a delicate golden shard of crisp cheese.
02 / Warm Rosemary Focaccia
Few accompaniments are more satisfying than freshly warmed rosemary focaccia, served in a linen-lined bread basket.
Encourage guests to enjoy it with creamy Burrata, delicate Prosciutto and roasted cherry tomatoes, finished with a little extra virgin olive oil.
03 / The Italian Grazing Table
For a relaxed festive gathering, allow Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare to become the focal point of a generous Italian-inspired spread.
Add small bowls of Mediterranean olives, marinated artichokes, roasted peppers and fresh figs , with additional cheeses and warm bread served separately.
04 / A Refined Italian Lunch
For a lighter festive occasion, serve the antipasti alongside a simple salad of fresh rocket, basil and lightly dressed leaves.
A restrained dressing of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice complements the richness of the cured meats and cheeses without overwhelming their flavours.
The Sommelier’s Table
The Perfect Pairings for an Italian Christmas Feast
With its balance of rich cheeses, savoury cured meats and vibrant Mediterranean ingredients, Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare pairs beautifully with drinks that refresh the palate and allow the food to shine.
Prosecco Brut
Lively, refreshing and elegant, with acidity that complements creamy Burrata and delicate Prosciutto.
Franciacorta Brut
A refined Italian sparkling wine particularly suited to a special Christmas celebration.
Pinot Grigio
Crisp and balanced, offering a refreshing accompaniment to Mozzarella, Prosciutto and Mediterranean vegetables.
An Alcohol-Free Aperitivo
Chilled sparkling water with orange, rosemary and ice makes a beautifully simple non-alcoholic alternative.
From the Nicol Kitchen
The Chef’s Notes: Five Details That Make the Difference
Beautiful presentation begins with thoughtful preparation. These simple finishing touches help transform excellent ingredients into a memorable dining experience.
I. The Delicate Parmigiano Crown
Use finely grated Parmigiano Reggiano and spread it into a thin, connected lace-like circle before baking. Shape while still flexible, then allow it to cool completely. A spare crown is a useful precaution for special occasions.
II. The Art of Folding Salumi
Avoid tightly stacking every slice. Fold Prosciutto, Coppa and Mortadella into soft ribbons and delicate rosettes, creating movement and showcasing their beautiful natural textures.
III. Balance Richness with Freshness
The richness of Italian cured meats and cheeses is beautifully balanced by sweet roasted tomatoes, fresh figs, olives, artichokes and fragrant herbs.
IV. Give Burrata Centre Stage
Drain the Burrata carefully and arrange it at the centre of the platter shortly before serving. Finish with a little extra virgin olive oil and fresh basil.
V. Save the Reveal Until the End
Add the golden Parmigiano crown at the final moment. Lift it gently in front of your guests, then break it into delicate pieces to enjoy with the antipasti.
Effortless Christmas Entertaining
Prepare Beautifully. Celebrate Effortlessly.
The most accomplished hosts know that exceptional entertaining begins long before guests arrive.
Prepare the Parmigiano crown in advance, allow it to cool completely and store it in a dry, airtight container. Roast the tomatoes and prepare the Mediterranean vegetables earlier in the day.
Keep cured meats and fresh cheeses refrigerated until shortly before serving. Assemble the platter near service time and position the crown at the last moment.
For reliable guidance on preparing, chilling and serving food safely, consult the UK Food Standards Agency .
The Nicol Shopping Edit
The Italian Ingredients Worth Discovering
From exceptional cured meats to indulgent artisan cheeses, beautiful food begins with ingredients worth celebrating.
Recreate Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare with Italian delicatessen favourites available from Nicol Retailer.
The Salumi Collection
Premium Italian Cured Meats
Explore Italian salumi for elegant antipasti, festive sharing platters and memorable entertaining.
Shop Italian Cured MeatsThe Cheese Collection
Italian Artisan Cheese Selection
Discover Burrata, Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano for a luxurious Christmas feast.
Discover Italian CheeseThe Italian Delicatessen
San Michele Salame Napoli
A distinctive Italian salami that adds depth and savoury character to the antipasti selection.
Explore Salame NapoliThe Italian Delicatessen
Martelli Pistachio Mortadella
Delicate Italian Mortadella with a silky texture and distinctive pistachio character.
Discover MortadellaPlease check current availability, pack sizes and product information on individual product pages.
The Entertaining Guide
Everything You Need to Know
Which Italian cured meats are best for Christmas?
Prosciutto Crudo, Coppa, Bresaola, Mortadella and Salame Napoli provide a varied combination of flavours and textures for festive antipasti.
Can the Parmigiano crown be made in advance?
Yes. Allow the crown to cool completely, then store it in a dry, airtight container until shortly before serving.
What cheese pairs best with Italian cured meats?
Burrata, Mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano provide beautifully contrasting creamy, fresh and mature flavours. Explore our Italian cheese buying guide for further inspiration.
Where can I buy Italian antipasti ingredients online?
Explore Nicol Retailer for Italian cured meats, artisan cheeses and Mediterranean specialities.
The Final Word / The Nicol Christmas Table
A Christmas Feast to Remember
Some of the most memorable moments of Christmas happen around the table.
The anticipation before the golden Parmigiano crown is lifted. The first taste of delicate Prosciutto with creamy Burrata. The conversation, laughter and pleasure of sharing beautiful food.
Nicol’s Natale Spettacolare brings these moments together in one extraordinary Italian-inspired Christmas creation.
Create the reveal. Share the feast. Celebrate beautifully.
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