Dinner Party - the first of 2010

[transcendancing]

So the other day, callistra and I mused about having a dinner party. Rather, she mused and didn't feel like doing all the cooking, with me then volunteering to do some of it. We decided to keep it small and just invited kae_dash and aescapulius being that schedules have made it far too long since they and the Parkers crossed paths for any length of time :P

Today when I went shopping for ingredients with Calli, we got a bit carried away and planned grand things, allowed some common sense to reign and kept it to 3 courses, asserting that the cheese platter really wasn't necessary (though would have been awesome).

We did a whirlwind of cooking - all five of us, and accomplished huge amounts in a small amount of time. While the idea of Beef Wellington appealed to both Calli and I, we decided to prepare a bit more for that (both of us have been watching a little too much Hell's Kitchen, which features a strong thread of Beef Wellington).

What did we make:

Starter: Garlic Bread

Entree: Butter, roasted pumpkin, sage and bacon fettuccine topped with crumbled goats cheese.

Main: Roasted chicken with cashew nut stuffing with a green salad on the side.

Dessert: Crepe torte with mascapone vanilla cream and strawberries.

This complimented by a bottle of Moet & Chandon that was a renewal gift to Calli and Chesh. First time tasting such a well known bubbly - and I can say I could taste the difference. It was far lighter and fluffier, less heavy on the palate than other sparkling wines that I don't enjoy as much. Now eager to taste the Bolli and Christal (sp?) as well for comparison.

Notes:

* We didn't home make the garlic bread but it was tasty and allowed us to other cool things
* I fudged the butter sauce for the pasta from a few recipes, and we were quite delighted with the end product, though more walnuts and sage would have been good.
* We home made the pasta - my first time, and now I know how the process generally works, what to look for etc I'll be trying it here at home.
* Dessert ended up twice as awesome as the original plan as the crepes didn't quite happen as originally planned (rolled with fruit filling and topped with cream).


I loved the ease of conversation and the being together-ness. It was really lovely. After we ate we sat down and introduced aescapulius to Alton Brown's 'Good Eats' which he in his geeky glory, delighted in.

Tonight was just a perfect experience of friendship, and sharing, and creativity, conversation - connectedness. This is what I want for 2010.

I think that this is what my year will be about. Still a few conversations to have around that before I'm sure though, then a post of it's own.

Comments

[From: strangedave.livejournal.com]

It sounds lovely.

In fancy champagne, individual taste probably matters, as the fancy ones tend to have their own distinct styles, some (Bollinger for example) very much emphasise the yeast characters, some are more driven by delicate fruit and acid. Billecart-Salmon and Veuve Cliquot are two we like a lot.

[From: callistra.livejournal.com]

I really liked the Cliquot Sheldon and Splanky bought us for the renewal too!
:-)

[From: mynxii.livejournal.com]

I expect that the styles are wildly different - but I am looking forward to trying them :)

[From: redbraids.livejournal.com]

That sounds fantastic!