What a wonderful September evening! We had some friends over for dinner to enjoy champagne or melon Martinis outside, watching the sunset and our "brasero".
Table set and flowers from the back field...
I filleted sardines and let them pickle in white balsamic vinegar and salt, with a touch of sugar (to balance the flavours). With barbecued whole grain toasts and butter, they we a real treat!
A carpaccio of veal marinated in lemon juice and Argan oil for four hours and finished with crushed aniseed and a few salted capers...
First course (inside now!) was cod poached in coconut milk and kaffir lime leaves finished off with lime juice with a sprinkle of mango and chilli powder...
I know it seams a lot but they are small portions!
Main course was barbecued tuna with cucumber, paprika and smoked salt mayonnaise with 'straw' chips/fries
Cheese and salad followed and for dessert, I made a maple syrup ice cream with redcurrant preserve and chocolate crumble with a sprinkle of roasted almonds
Coffees and teas were taken outside in front of the fire... a very pleasant evening!
Oh my goodness. You put me to shame. If we have friends over for supper, my main criteria is make something that can be shoved in the oven in advance, so that I can put the kids to bed. Anything that is easy (and tasty too). And then I ply everyone with wine and hope they don't notice what an average cook I am... I have to say your field flowers look very pretty.
ReplyDeleteHi Gillian,
ReplyDeleteI can't help myself! See it as my hobby. I didn't spent more than two hours in the kitchen, fish is the trick , quick to do. I am sure it is hard to spare even ten minutes with young ones needing you - I admire anyone who manages any dinner party with small children to care for. I will post some fancy quick food for you soon!
Ivan
I love these (still) long warm evenings. There will be many fewer of them from now on. I made your mushroom soup recipe last week for guests. And although I broke the cardinal rule of not experimenting on guests, this time it worked out. I thought the soup was delicious. Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThank you, happy you liked it. We too are making the most of this bonus weather, our outside fire is lit every night so we can stay out longer, bliss! I have a good butternut squash recipe - when I can find some! Normally we grow them, but this year we just didn't get around to planting any, next year for sure! I like viewing your photos each day, thanks for sharing them.
Ivan