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mandragoraIt's been a long time since I last did a full blown dinner party and now I'm remembering why. They're bloody hard work!
Having some friends round for a slashy gathering? No problem. That I can do till the cows come home. Having friends round for 'supper', ditto.
But a dinner party... I'm already knackered, and it's not happening until tomorrow night. But today I've been sorting out dining room chairs (not an easy task as I had to haul several down from the loft) and food shopping. Naturally, Sainsbury's had everything I wanted except for one essential item. So, I had to go to Safeways as well. Normally food shopping takes about an hour. Today it was three. As for the bill... I'm still wincing.
Then, in a frenzy of organisation, I made the dessert. The food processor had every part known to humankind - except the one I wanted. So, I ended up having to whisk by hand. So not fun. To add insult to injury (literally) as I was putting the food processor parts away I managed to slice a good half inch sized gash in my hand. So far the cut is not clotting and I'm gloomily contemplating whether it'll need stitching. I can't even put a butterfly plaster on it because I'm allergic to sticking plasters. The hypoallergenic ones are, not to put too fine a point on it, crap.
Trouble is, I owe everyone who's coming tomorrow night dinner several times over. Guilt got the better of me which led to me inviting them for a long overdue reciprocal engagement. However, I'm now contemplating giving up guilt for Lent. Or, for the summer, seeing as it comes first.
For anyone who's at all curious as to what culinary masterpieces (ahem) I'm rustling up, menu is behind the cut tag.
Starter is stuffed mushrooms, because I love mushrooms. They're stuffed with a parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, together with onion and garlic. Easy to make and easy to cook, as they can be shoved in the oven to cook 25 minutes before serving.
Main course is seafood with mangoes. Seafood in this case is calamari, large prawns and scallops cooked in a ginger and wine sauce. I'll be serving it with a herbal salad garnished with baby Italian tomatoes and yellow peppers, for the colour contrast.
Dessert is chocolate brulee, which consists of white chocolate custard mixture poured over fresh raspberries. I'll be chilling the ramekins overnight and add and grill the sugar tomorrow, then put them back in the fridge to chill again. I'm a bit nervous about it because I'm not sure that the custardy type mixture thickened sufficiently, but think that it will solidify when chilled.
Following that there will be cheese and biscuits. I picked up a selection of cheese, including brie, stilton, Port Salut, a rather interesting looking goats cheese and a well matured cheddar.
After that there will be coffee (the real stuff, not instant) and petit fours.
I'm exhausted just typing it, let alone cooking it.
Having some friends round for a slashy gathering? No problem. That I can do till the cows come home. Having friends round for 'supper', ditto.
But a dinner party... I'm already knackered, and it's not happening until tomorrow night. But today I've been sorting out dining room chairs (not an easy task as I had to haul several down from the loft) and food shopping. Naturally, Sainsbury's had everything I wanted except for one essential item. So, I had to go to Safeways as well. Normally food shopping takes about an hour. Today it was three. As for the bill... I'm still wincing.
Then, in a frenzy of organisation, I made the dessert. The food processor had every part known to humankind - except the one I wanted. So, I ended up having to whisk by hand. So not fun. To add insult to injury (literally) as I was putting the food processor parts away I managed to slice a good half inch sized gash in my hand. So far the cut is not clotting and I'm gloomily contemplating whether it'll need stitching. I can't even put a butterfly plaster on it because I'm allergic to sticking plasters. The hypoallergenic ones are, not to put too fine a point on it, crap.
Trouble is, I owe everyone who's coming tomorrow night dinner several times over. Guilt got the better of me which led to me inviting them for a long overdue reciprocal engagement. However, I'm now contemplating giving up guilt for Lent. Or, for the summer, seeing as it comes first.
For anyone who's at all curious as to what culinary masterpieces (ahem) I'm rustling up, menu is behind the cut tag.
Starter is stuffed mushrooms, because I love mushrooms. They're stuffed with a parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, together with onion and garlic. Easy to make and easy to cook, as they can be shoved in the oven to cook 25 minutes before serving.
Main course is seafood with mangoes. Seafood in this case is calamari, large prawns and scallops cooked in a ginger and wine sauce. I'll be serving it with a herbal salad garnished with baby Italian tomatoes and yellow peppers, for the colour contrast.
Dessert is chocolate brulee, which consists of white chocolate custard mixture poured over fresh raspberries. I'll be chilling the ramekins overnight and add and grill the sugar tomorrow, then put them back in the fridge to chill again. I'm a bit nervous about it because I'm not sure that the custardy type mixture thickened sufficiently, but think that it will solidify when chilled.
Following that there will be cheese and biscuits. I picked up a selection of cheese, including brie, stilton, Port Salut, a rather interesting looking goats cheese and a well matured cheddar.
After that there will be coffee (the real stuff, not instant) and petit fours.
I'm exhausted just typing it, let alone cooking it.
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no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 11:50 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 12:05 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 12:06 (UTC)no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 12:14 (UTC)*g* Well it was either have them chilling overnight, or have to make dessert at the crack of dawn tomorrow morning. Yes, we are *trying* to be organised.
Glad you like the sound of the food, so do I, as long as it works!
no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 12:06 (UTC)(buy a baby blow torch! Burn the sugar! Burn!)
no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 12:17 (UTC)Very sensible. I'm thinking of telling everyone who's coming tomorrow not to mention it to any mutual friends, because otherwise all the people I also owe dinner to will start wondering when their invitation will be forthcoming. I'm thinking maybe 2007...
I thought about a blow torch earlier today, but don't know if I can be bothered to nip down to Homebase tomorrow. I think that the grill will work okay. If the damn things solidify in the first place.
no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 17:59 (UTC)As for the other people you owe dinner to, take 'em out to a restaurant if you're feeling guilty. More expense, less hassle, less chance of food processor-related injury.
no subject
Date: 2 April 2004 23:43 (UTC)We-ell, you *could* have the chair from the study... Unfortunately, though, I neglected to prepare an extra portion. Alas, if only I'd *known*. I could send you the recipe, though.
Taking people out to a restaurant is a Good Idea, except that I suspect that it would be regarded as cheating. Sigh.