It's my turn to host my book club for dinner this month - on the 29th. There will be at most 10 of us. The last time, I made the Molto Manicotti and a Caesar Salad - except many of my friends are very diet conscious - I served two pieces to each and about half ate only one because it was so rich - or maybe they didn't like it. Several people asked me for the recipe, so I guess the review was mixed. Anyway, this year I'm trying to serve a lower fat meal.
So, here are my goals for the dinner...
- very little last minute activity (I don't want to be in the kitchen missing out on conversations)
- include creamed spinach (The main character in our book's favorite food - we read "Away" by Amy Bloom)
- I usually serve dinners plated, but I think I want to pass family-style this time.
I've been thinking about using some of the Tomato Basil soup I made from my garden (Old Bay's recipe) which we loved instead of a salad course. Maybe a pork loin roast - maybe stuffed, or a lemon/chicken dish and for the starch... rice pilaf.
And appies - I've been wanting to try the Shrimp puffs, but not sure that it all goes together...
For dessert, the character also loved ice cream. So, I saw a recipe I want to try where you make a thin cookie molded over a small bowl to make a holder for ice cream. I need to test the recipie. I was thinking about getting a good quality vanilla and making small dips with my cookie scoop ahead of time, then serving with a variety of toppings to pass.
So, here are my goals for the dinner...
- very little last minute activity (I don't want to be in the kitchen missing out on conversations)
- include creamed spinach (The main character in our book's favorite food - we read "Away" by Amy Bloom)
- I usually serve dinners plated, but I think I want to pass family-style this time.
I've been thinking about using some of the Tomato Basil soup I made from my garden (Old Bay's recipe) which we loved instead of a salad course. Maybe a pork loin roast - maybe stuffed, or a lemon/chicken dish and for the starch... rice pilaf.
And appies - I've been wanting to try the Shrimp puffs, but not sure that it all goes together...
For dessert, the character also loved ice cream. So, I saw a recipe I want to try where you make a thin cookie molded over a small bowl to make a holder for ice cream. I need to test the recipie. I was thinking about getting a good quality vanilla and making small dips with my cookie scoop ahead of time, then serving with a variety of toppings to pass.