Sunday, May 18, 2008

The morning after

Had some friends over for dinner last night.
I was too busy hostessing to take photos, though I wish I'd gotten a shot of the fabulous cheeseplate one couple brought. I had many ideas of new things to make for the entree, but in the end opted for the sanity-saving pan of lasagna, assembled the night before, and a big salad. Another friend brought crusty French bread that we sliced and slathered with garlic butter, then heated in the oven. Wine was also brought and consumed.

Yes, Mom, I washed all those dishes before bed. It is nice to wake up to a clean kitchen.

For dessert, super-rich rhubarb ice cream courtesy of Katy at Sugarlaws. Garnished with strawberries and strawberry sauce (berries pureed with a little caster sugar) and a mint sprig, along with crisp, thin almond cookies brought by another couple.
I prepped the ice cream ahead of time and garnished one dish early so I could take a picture of it. Survey says: Thumbs up!

I would also like to try making a rhubarb sorbet.

13 comments:

  1. As soon as I read rhubarb ice cream my mouth started to water. I've started some off from seed this year so another couple of years. . .

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh that's the rhubarb not the ice-cream!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yum, KB, that looks great. I have a big rhubarb plant in my garden, and I'm always looking for new ways to use it. If only I still had an ice cream maker that worked . . .

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like yummy dishes..will have a go at the rhubarb ice cream..have an ice cream maker..just need to unearth the rhubarb from all the weeds! :O)

    ReplyDelete
  5. So many recipes for rhubarb that I see these days and I just haven't used it yet. One more thing that's pushing me closer and closer towards that big "RHUBARB" moment!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi,
    I just found your blog via Casa Decrepit. I lived in Denver up until 4 years ago - your photos make me homesick :) Your house is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Breezy, definitely something to look forward to! I will also be planting some this year. Plants, not ice cream.

    db, have you tried it? Do!

    Sue, you can still make it! If you have a steel bowl, you can do the low tech kind, putting it in the freezer and then stirring every few minutes.

    Gina, boy, do I know weeds! But if you've got rhubarb in there, use it!

    John, 'tis the season!

    Hi Jenne! Thanks for stopping by. I looked at your blog and subscribed. You have a great house, too! Love those old Victorians.

    Groovy, it will perk you right up!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, that looks really, really good. I also would have loved to see that marvelous cheese plate? What cheese did they bring? I wanna know!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Let's see, there was an herbed goat cheese, something a little firmer (not sure what?) and a fabulous bleu whose name I can't recall. With rosemary and celery crackers. Helpful, eh? I will ask tomorrow and see if my friend remembers.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I always wonder if I should provide a cheese plate at my parties, but the urge to bake always wins out.

    I've been easing into the habit of washing dishes before going to bed, too, and I agree, it feels great to wake up to a clean kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Julie, you can stick with baking and just ask a guest to bring some cheese. This was a nice surprise because I'd just said, "Bring something for an hors d'oeuvre, like a dip or something snacky."

    It's fun to do a whole meal start to finish, but so much more work, so if someone offers to bring something, I'm happy to hand off the hors d'oeuvres, the salad or the dessert to someone else. And of course, the wine!

    ReplyDelete