We recently entertained friends for dinner, and I decided to plan a menu around a mix of my favorite dishes. I have made some of these for a very long time and quite often as week-night dinners. But I also added some new recipes because I always have to try new things, and often these become favorites as well.
I was pretty sure that my guests would agree that the menu included their favorites as well. There was nothing exotic but all the courses were restaurant quality, and the inspiration for at least some of them came from restaurants.
Originally we were not planning to sit in the garden to start as pop-up thundershowers were in the forecast, but it was such a beautiful evening that we quickly transferred all the nibbles, plates and drinks to our patio. It was a great choice as it was a warm night with a gentle breeze and the garden is beautiful at this time of year. All the annuals are in their prime and they all look full and lush. No doubt they were helped by the rain that we seemed to have had every other day this summer. The only flaw in the landscape were my hydrangeas as some of the blooms became so heavy with the rain that they were leaning close to the ground. These became my table center pieces while leaving many still in the garden. Here’s my menu.
Hors d’oeuvres
Gateau Salé
Serve with hot honey or top with coarsely grated gruyere or parmesan, not melting just adhering a bit. Maybe a sprinkling of smoked paprika to finish.
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Spicy Spanish Mushrooms
Spicy Spanish Mushrooms are a wonderful tapa and a lovely addition to a trio of small bites as a start to an evening with friends. The dish is Spanish through and through, from the garlic scented olive oil to the reduced sherry vinegar. A tasty morsel.
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Piquillo Pepper and Chevre Bites
Easy to make, pretty to look at and delicious, these Piquillo Peppers are just perfect as a small bite. Serve with Spicy Spanish Mushrooms and a few slices of Gateau Salé with hot honey.
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Appetizer
Grilled Calamari
Lemon, roasted garlic, capers and roasted tomatoes all topped with tender calamari. This Grilled Calamari recipe was inspired by a Toronto restaurant that we used to visit on downtown shopping expeditions. It was the perfect lunch at a perfect restaurant.
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Main
Rack of Lamb with Roasted Potatoes, Garlic and Rosemary
I love rack of lamb. It is simple and it is delicious. I served this version of Rack of Lamb with Roasted Potatoes, Garlic, and Rosemary recently. It's a lovely combination and both the lamb and the potatoes are prepared and cooked in under 30 minutes.
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Dessert
Honey Roasted Figs, Crème Fraîche and Limoncello
This Honey Roasted Fig recipe is delightful. The crème fraîche and the limoncello are delicious and the black grapes are sweet and juicy. This recipe is a must during fig season. Be on the lookout, it is one more perfect black fig seasonal recipe to add to your collection.
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We came in for the rest of our dinner, but as usual, we split up the courses between our kitchen island and our dining table. Everything, except the appetizers, had to be cooked last minute, so the company and the conversation kept going while I prepared the rest of the courses.
