Tagged: friends
On Saturday’s Events
I suppose dinner parties can’t be fun if something unexpected doesn’t occur. In the end, there were only four of us, and it couldn’t have possibly been better otherwise. What I really love, is to be with the people I feel truly comfortable with (to the point of eating the cake with bare hands, straight from the stand). Highly improbable of happening, with seven people around. But that’s just plain me. I give honours to my best guests ever, Hemout and Miguel Maria. These are my V.I.P.’s!
Since the amount of people reduced so drastically, some of the dishes were left apart. I didn’t plate the smoked salmon. The best choice ever, because the turkey meatloaf was just to the count and everyone seemed to have preference in a hot dish, opposed to the “tapa” styled dinner. The chocolate cake was definitely a killer, and really made us sit back on our chairs! It was great…
Thank You.
Tonight at Sugarbilly’s
Once more I return for yet another edition, if not the last in Lisbon, of dinner at Sugarbilly’s. The day starts early for a Saturday (that would be about 11:00 a.m.), and I start clearing the house to prepare the party. It’s one of those days that I want to get by quickly, just so I can sit down and have a glass of wine in peace, before anybody arrives. My heart fills with joy when a cooler breeze comes around, and the rays of light lose their profusive radiance. Substitute the electric for the candle-light, and it’s simply delightful.
We’re about seven people, so I decided not to make a main dish, just a few things. A cold plate with smoked salmon, cream cheese, herbs and lemon; a turkey meatloaf with spinach; raw carrot and zucchini salad; and some home-fried olive oil potatoes. Bread, crackers, cheese, fruits and chorizo always come in of course! As for dessert, that’s always a different story with old Sugarbilly. I haven’t made any desserts with chocolate lately, so I made a flourless chocolate cake (magnificent recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine) and some créme fraiche with mint to cut the richness. Imagine making a career out of giving dinners to friends… Isn’t that just too alluring?
Photos will be taken later and some recipes posted, so stick around!
How to Trip: A Dinner with the Buddies
I love to do this stuff, specially when I have someone else do the kitchen work with me. Our creativeness opens many doors. There are a bunch of things needed to prepare a great dinner, and I have to give credit to my Grandma Lena for this one. She gives most welcoming meals, making something as simple as a family dinner into an authentic feast.
The first detail everyone should remember is the table decoration and it’s surroundings. Since it’s a Christmas dinner, let’s make it warm and cozy with some theme related garments. Don’t ever forget to have your sound system working.
It’s time for serious talk.
