Dinner Impossible

We just couldn't get it together before Christmas, what with 80% of the attendees being in the restaurant business, but finally we got everyone to commit to a date.... That may have been the most difficult part, despite the fact that Chris decided upon an ambitious "tasting menu" for everyone with 20 courses (!) Thank goodness he's a chef, is all I have to say! We invested in all kinds of tiny china and teensy cutlery and loaded the bar and kitchen with ingredients!

Chris and I didn't sit for the dinner; there was too much to do plating and serving - but we had the best time! The "before" beauty shot:

(Excuse the window treatments. They are foul. In an old house, sometimes you have to throw your money in less glamorous directions...)

The menu:

Basket of Local Breads with Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar

Caesar Salad Soup/Pizza Soup Duo

Caprese Stack/Tomato,Feta, and Cilantro Salad/Roasted Artichoke Hearts with Saffron Butter

Roast Beef Canapes with Sun Dried Tomato & Horseradish Aioli

Bacon-wrapped Sweet Chile Shrimp/Mini Crab Cake with Remoulade

Blue and Cream-Cheese Stuffed New Potatoes

Puff Pastry with Black Bean and Corn Relish

Celebration Paella

Cheese Ravioli with Aged Gouda Cream/Linguine with Walnut & Blue Cheese Cream

Pork Tender with Cranberry Orange Marmalade

Pan-Seared Lamb with Lavender and Balsamic Glaze

Beef Wellington with Veal Demiglace

Cream Cheese and Raspberry Ice Cream

Milk Chocolate Creme Brulee

Pop Rock Cheesecake Andes Mint

The friends:

The aftermath:

(Yes, you've counted them correctly. Twelve empty bottles of wine. Not counting the cooks' one in the kitchen.)

Thanks to Robert from Kitchen:Impossible and what-his name, Doogie Hauser his guest host, for the mixed soups idea. People were at first a little freaked out by the perfectly-divided in half crazy-flavored soups, but once they tasted this course, everyone wanted more! (Sorry, kids, not how it goes! :)) The pop rock cheesecake was the one course both of us put our heads out of the kitchen for; head after head popped into the air as each person bit in and said "OH!" The best part for us was hearing the boisterous goings-on in the dining room. Everyone had a great time together. We feel so proud of ourselves for pulling this one off.