Prom Dinner!

A fun and interesting challenge arose a few weeks ago:  cater a "table for 2" dinner for my nephew and his senior prom date.   Now this is something I have never done before!  It seemed like a cool idea, so immediately I started thinking about the caveats:  food needs to be appealing to teenagers, yet needs to be something they wouldn't have "everyday", setting needs to be memorable, a restaurant "feel", prep needs to be quick (hosting a mother's day brunch the next morning!), and of course, it was a lovely spring day- very important to include what was in season and local!  The dinner would be served on the back deck - lovely and private, surrounded by new leafy greenery.

My list of stuff available in the back yard in early May:  chicken eggs (more on that later), tons of mint, great asparagus, a few different herbs, and oh yeah, a big jar of wild honey from our friend who keeps bees!!  The menu started to come together, once I decided that lamb "lollipops" would make a quick and easy, yet "springy" main course.  I also had a trick up my sleeve...this was the first day of a local  farmer's market, so I could pick up some fresh greens, bread, and a raspberry pie!!  Done.  This would be easy.  EASY, I tell you......

This first course was really quick to make:  note the great sesame semolina baguette from Mediterra Bakehouse....sooo good.  Thanks, Karen, for the awesome honey!!

The hens were cooperative, and delivered the goods.  I decided that the most teenager-friendly salad dressing would be a homemade ranch.  Local buttermilk, a bit of mayo, and a long list of herbs and spices was all it took.

These were really pretty!!  I have never made lamb chops before  --super easy.  Just cut them from the rack into individual bones, then marinate in a garlic, olive oil, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper bath.  They take minutes on the grill, and won rave reviews from the prom folk.  The fresh-brewed iced tea, steeped with lots of new mint leaves, was a big hit too.

Yes, this was purchased!  From the fine folks at Sand Hill Berries.  This was the Raspberry Cream Pie, which was as good as they said it would be.  I made some softly whipped cream, slightly sweetened, with a touch of vanilla, to top it off.  Sand Hill Berries is a great place to visit, if you are in their neighborhood.  Its a beautiful farm, with a country store, and even a little outdoor cafe.  

So, all in all, it was a success.  My only regret was my after party:  the dishes.  Cooking and serving a dinner for 2 doesn't sound like many dishes, but it was.  Oh, it was.  Each course was plated on new plates, there were serving platters, cooking vessels, and lots of silverware.  The cooks ate in the kitchen,  surreptitiously keeping an eye out for the progression of the meal. 

Some pictures of the prom-goers were taken.  I especially liked the shot where the chickens had filed around the couple's legs, seeming to think they were not at all out of place amongst the tux and the gown-clad humans.  

From all accounts, they had a great night!!

A Long-Awaited Food Tour of France

So, I told you there would be pictures.  Of France's food.  These have been waiting for you.  I like to look at them often and relive the magic of each moment.  Boulangerie's, Patisserie's, Fromagerie's, Le Halles de Lyon, and more.  We traveled from Marseilles in the South of France, up the Rhone River to the Saone, then on to Paris.  We left Paris heading north on the Seine, and ended up on the coast of Normandy.  Each stop, each town, brought new delicious finds.  Viking kept us well-fed, but treats were still around every corner.  It is pretty hard to resist the things of beauty that line the streets and the shop windows as you pass buy:  hot croissants, made to order crepes, pastries, big-as-your-face meringues, candied fruit, and oh, the cheese.  If you love cheese, the place to be is France.  I hope the pictures do it some justice, as each and every thing was spectacularly beautiful and delicious!!  Enjoy.....