Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Informal Dinner Party

We had friends over for dinner last Friday night. The weather was way too warm for January, but we took advantage of it and enjoyed the first course outside on our back deck. The menu is listed below:


First Course

Fol-Epi Cheese – A slightly nutty, buttery French cheese

Pyrenees with Green Peppercorn Cheese – Semi-soft piquant cow’s milk cheese

Saucisson Sec Sausage – House-cured pork from The Belmont Butchery

Blue Skies Crackers - Available at Tan-A Grocery


Wine

2004 Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina

Second Course

Chicken Breasts with Green Olives and Capers

Sauteed Carrots in a Lemon-Butter Sauce

Orzo with Parsley, Fresh-ground Black Pepper, and Grated Romano Cheese


Wine

2003 Les Chevrefeuilles Domaine La Remejeanne, Cotes du Rhone, France

1999 Domaine Bois De Boursan, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France

Dessert

Macaroons with Grated Orange Peel


Wine

2004 Nachtgold Eiswein, Rheinhessen, Germany

Dark Roast Espresso-style Coffee


What a treat to host a casual multi-course meal! My general strategy was to do as much of the second course prep work before our guests arrived. We had a very easy-to-prepare first course and I did no cooking while we enjoyed the appetizers al fresco. As folks had more wine and digested the first course, I prepared the main meal while everyone gathered in the kitchen and chatted. We ate the next course in the dining room at a very leisurely pace. Dessert was a breeze because our guests brought the sweets. I believe it was a delightful evening for all.

3 comments:

  1. Is there a good cheese store here?

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  2. Hi MMH! The cheese stores (actually cheese cases - the only cheese only stores I've run across are in Paris)I frequent are River Cit Cellars (in Carytown catty-corner from the Byrd Theatre) and Ellwood Thompson's Natural Market (at the corner of Ellwood and Thompsom in Carytown). I will also pick up cheese at The Fresh Market (on Parham Rd.)

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  3. Sorry for asking the same question twice :) I thought I had asked it in a different blog. thanks for the answer.

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