Southeast Asian or Mediterranean? New American or Indian? These considerations are a customary part of planning a menu, and with budgetary concerns at the top of everyone's mind these days, we challenged caterers to present beautiful and affordable three-course meals that reflect a variety of cuisines.
Here is the fifth of eight internationally inspired menus: A Southern Italian meal priced at $39 per person, from Calihan Catering in Chicago. Flatware, china, and glasses from Hall's Rental and linen from BBJ Linen.
![Antipasti of fennel and blood orange salad with shrimp, grilled tuna with green olive relish, stuffed eggplant with oregano and mint, roasted vegetables balsamico, salami, mozzarella di buffala with marinated roasted peppers and basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16188image1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Antipasti of fennel and blood orange salad with shrimp, grilled tuna with green olive relish, stuffed eggplant with oregano and mint, roasted vegetables balsamico, salami, mozzarella di buffala with marinated roasted peppers and basil and Parmigiano-Reggiano
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash
![Ballotine of chicken stuffed with mascarpone polenta set on sauteed bell pepper](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16188image2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Ballotine of chicken stuffed with mascarpone polenta set on sauteed bell pepper
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash
![Chocolate amaretto parfait with white chocolate spears and amaretto meringue cookies](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2011/11/e16188image3.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
Chocolate amaretto parfait with white chocolate spears and amaretto meringue cookies
Photo: Tyllie Barbosa for BizBash