Next week is our annual meeting for work. This means the prospect of a very busy week stuck in a large convention centre listening to debate and speeches. Generally a VERY long week.
It has become traditional for us to host a dinner with friends and colleagues just before the big meeting. This year, because I messed up on the purchase of concert tickets for Paul's Anniversary gift, the dinner was on Friday night.
I made a jug of cocktails to start. Called a Blueberry Smash it had vodka, St. Germain, blueberries, lemons, limes, and mint all muddled. When you start measuring alcohol with a 2 cup measuring cup the term 'smash' is most appropriate!
We had planned on stuffed zucchini flowers for the next course but with yesterday's early morning rain the farmer was unable to get out on the field to gather them. Instead with went with an old Jamie Oliver recipe for fried ricotta cakes with tomato salad.
After everyone had finished this we brought out a number of 'nibbly' snacks:
Bruschetta, caprese skewers, prosciutto and melon, and a fava bean, ricotta, and mint crostini.
I had made the white lasagna with zucchini for the pasta course. We were getting full by then is served very tiny servings - the lasagna which normally served 4 - 6 was cut into 12 pieces. My friend Nancy leaned over and said quietly 'I'll take all the leftovers of this home" . . .so she did. I guess that means it was OK. :-)
The main course was Tuscan marinated grilled pork chops, creamy polenta with tomatoes and cheese, and panzanella salad.
(not the best pic but you get the idea :-))
It is Nancy's birthday on Tuesday so we celebrated it with her favourite carrot cake for dessert. Joanne managed to whip it up in the midst of working, getting rid of the furniture from her daughter's bedroom, and putting the new furniture together. Nancy was thrilled with the birthday surprise and we were all thrilled with the birthday cake . . . in fact someone, currently sitting her at the laptop pecking away, might have enjoyed a sliver for an early secret breakfast with coffee. MMMMM
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