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verbicideNow that was a fun night.
It was really fun geeking out so completely. I even wrote these tiny menus on vellum and parchment paper as part of the table setting.
We started the night off with the gougeres, sitting around the table catching up. We had the same French pinot noir to drink as I cooked with. Next, we started on the salad course. I'd dressed some butter lettuce with a lemon-thyme vinaigrette that I'd sort of winged. I'm not very experienced with salad dressing, so I was really happy that my vinaigrette turned out. Some shaved parmesan and croutons were the only other additions.
While the last few things finished off, we exchanged presents. And Emily has truly listened to my ultimate desire. As I frequently shout, "I want a pony!" and "Is it a pony??" she has finally helped me realize my dream and bought me my very own My Little Pony. You may all refer to me as the Crystal Princess.
Finally, the main course. I'd made a relatively light mashed potato recipe (small amounts of butter and cream, salt, and fresh chives). I roasted asparagus for the first time, and I've only recently learned that I really like 'em. Roasting was pretty damn simple and quick so I'm hoping to add that as a regular part of my cooking repertoire. And of course, the Coq au Vin. I was pretty pleased with it. And I think the credit goes to Alton Brown here, because he really broke down every single part of that recipe.
Also, have I mentioned how much I love all my new kitchen-y things? The Le Creuset pot from my mom and the glorious All-clad pan Sarah got me and the new Shun knife from OB and Em. Not to go on and on about them, but it's really incredible to see what a difference proper tools can make. It was still hard work and was probably the most complicated dish I've ever made, but in the end it was worth the labor. I would totally make that again. (Just not, you know, tomorrow.) Sarah and Emily both had seconds and I about passed out from the shock of seeing them both eat so much. (Sarah actually goes to restaurants and orders a single pancake. As much as she loves food, she generally has the stomach capacity of a tiny mouse.)
I was even satisfied with my baguette! It browned a bit too much on top so I was worried, but it tasted fine--in that it tasted like bread. I think I need to work on my general bread-making skills to improve the texture and color and shape, but overall I was pretty happy!
We nibbled on red grapes, green apples, and brie, cambozola, and gruyere for the cheese course, and finished with the Tarte Tatin with vanilla bean ice cream while watching Cars.
I think pastry is a tough skill to master. I have a few baked dishes I've relied on for a long time now (berry cobbler, fresh fruit hazelnut-tart), but it's been a long time since I've worked on pie dough. So I think it's going to take at least another try before I'm satisfied with this. It was, however, much improved from the first attempt. Another small mistake, I should have let the ice cream churn longer. It seemed done, but really wasn't set properly.
The kitchen is a total mess. I usually clean while my friends are still around, or at the end of the night, but I think I've earned a little break. Tomorrow morning/afternoon is going to be very busy -- talking with Alain for an hour, meeting my French professor at a cafe, then movie with Pete. But it'll be an early night and I can clean to my heart's content tomorrow night. Dishwasher can only do so much at a time!
It was really fun geeking out so completely. I even wrote these tiny menus on vellum and parchment paper as part of the table setting.
We started the night off with the gougeres, sitting around the table catching up. We had the same French pinot noir to drink as I cooked with. Next, we started on the salad course. I'd dressed some butter lettuce with a lemon-thyme vinaigrette that I'd sort of winged. I'm not very experienced with salad dressing, so I was really happy that my vinaigrette turned out. Some shaved parmesan and croutons were the only other additions.
While the last few things finished off, we exchanged presents. And Emily has truly listened to my ultimate desire. As I frequently shout, "I want a pony!" and "Is it a pony??" she has finally helped me realize my dream and bought me my very own My Little Pony. You may all refer to me as the Crystal Princess.
Finally, the main course. I'd made a relatively light mashed potato recipe (small amounts of butter and cream, salt, and fresh chives). I roasted asparagus for the first time, and I've only recently learned that I really like 'em. Roasting was pretty damn simple and quick so I'm hoping to add that as a regular part of my cooking repertoire. And of course, the Coq au Vin. I was pretty pleased with it. And I think the credit goes to Alton Brown here, because he really broke down every single part of that recipe.
Also, have I mentioned how much I love all my new kitchen-y things? The Le Creuset pot from my mom and the glorious All-clad pan Sarah got me and the new Shun knife from OB and Em. Not to go on and on about them, but it's really incredible to see what a difference proper tools can make. It was still hard work and was probably the most complicated dish I've ever made, but in the end it was worth the labor. I would totally make that again. (Just not, you know, tomorrow.) Sarah and Emily both had seconds and I about passed out from the shock of seeing them both eat so much. (Sarah actually goes to restaurants and orders a single pancake. As much as she loves food, she generally has the stomach capacity of a tiny mouse.)
I was even satisfied with my baguette! It browned a bit too much on top so I was worried, but it tasted fine--in that it tasted like bread. I think I need to work on my general bread-making skills to improve the texture and color and shape, but overall I was pretty happy!
We nibbled on red grapes, green apples, and brie, cambozola, and gruyere for the cheese course, and finished with the Tarte Tatin with vanilla bean ice cream while watching Cars.
I think pastry is a tough skill to master. I have a few baked dishes I've relied on for a long time now (berry cobbler, fresh fruit hazelnut-tart), but it's been a long time since I've worked on pie dough. So I think it's going to take at least another try before I'm satisfied with this. It was, however, much improved from the first attempt. Another small mistake, I should have let the ice cream churn longer. It seemed done, but really wasn't set properly.
The kitchen is a total mess. I usually clean while my friends are still around, or at the end of the night, but I think I've earned a little break. Tomorrow morning/afternoon is going to be very busy -- talking with Alain for an hour, meeting my French professor at a cafe, then movie with Pete. But it'll be an early night and I can clean to my heart's content tomorrow night. Dishwasher can only do so much at a time!
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