Mmmmm, Dinner

My friend Sareen is part of The Splendid Table Locavore Nation. For one year, she and her family are trying to eat 80% of their foods within 500 miles of her home. Tough, but tougher (in my opinion) because she has a child under 1 and is pregnant.

On Friday, we went over for an appetizer dinner and to sample some homemade beer. Num.

I love challenges. So, I made very midwestern appetizers.

First up, deviled eggs:
The eggs were 100% local and so was the horseradish. Unfortunately, the mayo, mustard, and paprika were not...

Next up, pickles rolls:

The pickles were handmade by me last summer. The cream cheese is from Wisconsin. The pastrami was bought at Farm in the Market, and local also.

Labels: appetizer, cheese, eggs, pickles

Well, we brought in the New Year with a bang. Aside from the leaking dining room, I had two accidents in the kitchen in two hours. The first, I was peeling a squash and jammed the veggie peeler into my finger. That was the first time I drew blood in the kitchen. It hurt, it was bloody, it sucked.

Two hours later, while chopping an onion, I slipped with the knife and took off a large part of my left middle finger. While there was A LOT of blood, I didn't need stitches. I did get very gun shy around the knives and didn't finish my last dish.

But, New Year's Eve went well. We had a small gathering at our house. We thought CJ was to work the next day, but find out at the last minute that he didn't have. That was great news.

I started with a couple apps, Chicken Liver Pate and Fingerling Potatoes with Caviar.



The pate came from the new Martha Stewart New Classics cookbook. The cookbook is totally messed up and so was the recipe. I had to improvise because the recipe doesn't make sense, but it came out really well. We have been eating it since (it made a lot).

I stole the idea for the potatoes from Emily at a birthday party she threw. Thank God for Ikea and Asian supermarkets for low cost caviar.

Well, in all the excitement, I forgot to take pictures of the rest of what I made. We had a carrot soup that was very good, but like all carrot soups, reminded me of baby food. I made a large batch of roasted veggies, always easy and delicious. Finally, I made goulash. I base it on this recipe. Usually it is very good, but served on egg noodles, it just wasn't that great.

In addition to this, our fine guest brought delicious and awesome food. We had a red pepper spread to die for and an awesome chocolate and peanut butter pie. CJ made Kir Royales and there was lots of wine and champagne.

...

One more thing, CJ and I finally finished the living room. That means for the first time in almost a year we are eating dinner at a table, a dining room table.

Tonight it was trout and risotto. Tasty.

Labels: appetizer, caviar, fish, pate, potatoes, risotto, trout

When asked to bring things to pot lucks and the like I have a couple go to EASY recipes. Bean Salad, Roasted Veggies and this:
I know there is some fancy name, but basically it is fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil cut up. Salt and pepper gets sprinkled on the top and it is drizzled with good balsamic vinegar. Serve with some crusty bread.

Labels: appetizer, easy, tomatoes