dinner club

Dinner Club – Fall Soup

It had been a while since our last dinner club gathering. Summer is so full, then school it was starting… But I missed it, and was ready for it to begin! You might remember that we had put cuisines from all around the world in the drawing and at the last dining event had drawn Israeli cuisine. But to get back into the swing of things, I sent out a simple invite for a soup swap. It seemed timely and seasonal, and a nice way to fall back into the groove. It was a small and intimate group this time, 7 out of our now baker’s dozen, 13. It was so good to see everyone again around my dining table, and so great to try some new things! (If you are new to my blog and would like some background information, click on Dinner Club.)

I apologize for the photography, my dining room has very little natural lighting to begin with, let alone in the evening. Because this is supposed to be like my version of a Girl’s Night Out, I make no apologies about the paper plates. (The last thing I want on my night out is a large stack of dishes…) So the place setting was kept simple. (Although for the picture it might have been nice if I had soup in the bowl. Hindsight…)

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But how beautiful is the centerpiece from the remaining flowers in Holly’s garden! After the first Dinner Club, we added this assignment. It’s essential.

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I divided the assigned tasks into 3 soups, 1 bread, 1 drink, 1 centerpiece, and a dessert.  I was assigned bread. And I am slightly embarrassed to say I took the easy way out (just this once). Although there are no rules one has to follow, in theory I’d like to challenge myself a little more. But hey, let’s be real… sometimes I’m just happy the house is ready for company and I’m dressed. So I bought the loaves at the store and the pumpkin cornbread was a box mix from Trader Joe’s. There. I said it.

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Fun dinner drinks is another thing I love. Catie made a great version of a recipe she found on-line with organic apple and pear juice with ginger ale, garnished with organic apple slices. (I hope I haven’t made my friends feel like if they’re bringing something to my house that it has to be organic…) Honestly, the pictures do not do it justice. It was so refreshing and delightful!

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How cute are the rustic apple slices to garnish the drink! They were fun to eat or add to the drink.

How cute are the rustic apple slices to garnish the cup! They were fun to eat or add to the drink.

We had trio of really delicious soups for supper. Rhonda (aka my mom) brought GG’s Beef Stew. It’s a tomato broth hearty and rustic stew, full of beef, potatoes, and carrots. It’s a family favorite where the meat and vegetables are perfectly tender -and never disappoints. Tara brought a scrumptious Autumn Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup from Once Upon a Chef. It was a gorgeous bright orange seasonal soup that I want to eat every day until December. It had a warm curry twist that I fell in love with. Molly brought a creamy cheesy Asiago Bisque from Chef in Training. Asiago Bisque! Need I say more? It had potatoes and bacon and every bite was better than the one before.


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My setting ending up looking like this.

We could have served the soups one at a time, like separate courses, but then I couldn’t have gone back and forth with spoonfuls of each one. And since they were all hot and ready to go, why not? A fall feast fit for a queen! (I really wish I was a better photographer.) But we didn’t stop there… We had to have dessert! Bailey the youngest member of our group made a white cake with a cream cheese frosting. I am also proud to say I did contribute something from scratch, Chocolate Brownies from Three Sister’s Bake.

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I had a great time as usual, and I can’t wait for our next get together! This time we will stick to the plan and try Israeli cuisine. For the recipes to any of the soups click on the name of it, highlighted in red. They are all worth it. For photography tips, ask someone who knows!

Flavors of India

Can I just tell you that Dinner Club -India Night was a roaring success! It was a complete dive into another culture without ever having to leave the country. It started by researching recipes and continued at Bombay Grocers getting ingredients my local supermarket didn’t carry, and things I had never even heard of like fenugreek leaves, jaggery and cardomom pods. And can I just add, that the man who greeted me from behind the counter and assisted me throughout the store was absolutely fantastic. Hands down the best service I’ve ever received shopping for groceries.

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Between the first Dinner Club and this, we decided it might be fun to incorporate some decor into the assignments. So setting up for the evening was fun too. Although I have to ask you to keep in mind that this is my “Mommy Night,” and doing a ton of dishes is not my idea of indulgence. This experience is about exploring new foods and recipes, getting together with friends and enjoying ourselves. So, remember this was about fun, not perfection in trying to recreate the Taj Majal… and please don’t judge the paper products.

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The evening started with the not-so-traditional iced chai latte. From brewing the fragrant tea concentrate to tasting the light notes of almost an egg nog like beverage, the whole thing was delightful.  http://www.biggirlssmallkitchen.com/2011/06/working-with-what-you-have-iced-chai-tea-latte.html

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Next we partook in an Indian Feast. Oh my goodness, I had no idea I liked Indian food so much! Wow, where have I been hiding? Indian food is great! I dare say, it even changed my perspective on cilantro. I don’t know, somehow it worked.

Cauliflower Fritters with Cilantro-Ginger Sauce, http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alexandra-guarnaschelli/cauliflower-fritters-recipe.html

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Indian Quinoa Salad with Golden Raisins

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Did you know that by weight saffron is worth more than gold? It also has amazing health benefits like cancer fighting properties, increasing circulation, positive effects on eyesight, anti-aging properties, etc. Crazy, right? We should sprinkle it in our morning coffee! Saffron Rice, http://vegrecipesofindia.com/saffron-rice-or-kesar-rice/

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Naan (Indian Flat Bread)

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The main course was an assortment of simmered chicken in a variety of six different sauces; Butter Masala, Madras Curry, Tikka Masala, Korma Curry, Mango Curry and Kashmini Curry. Unbelievably good. I couldn’t pick a favorite.

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Not pictured, but not to be left out, a delicious fried potato and pea cake called aloo tikki served with a mango chutney. Also a great and flavorful potato dish that I would love to make again in the fall, aloo gobimatar, http://www.sharmispassions.com/2014/12/aloo-gobimatar-recipe-easy-potato.html?=1

We finished up the night with a lovely ice cream, almost sorbet type dessert called Malai Kulfi, yes please!!  http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/210541/easy-malai-kulfi/

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I think this Dinner Club is the best idea I’ve ever had. And maybe it was the saffron talking but I thought the night was great, and the food was delectable. Next time it’s Israeli food… I’ll let you know what happens!

Dinner Club

Okay, so my two year old is potty training and my baby, who can not be set down due to allergies and constant itching is already 5 months old. My nine year old has soccer practice and games at least three times a week and my 4 year old only goes to gymnastics once a week. So, what do I do with all of this free time? I want to start a dinner club! (Oh, and a blog, but that’s another entry).

I have a strong desire to make fun dishes that I know my family won’t eat. So, where’s the fun in that? No where, that’s where. Cooking is a stress reliever after all, and don’t I deserve some time for myself? I think I do. There it is then, I’m starting a Dinner Club. Fortunately for me I have friends that like to cook, bake, eat and share. I knew they’d be down.

Once a month I have decided that a group of my friends and I would each make a dish for a Mommy’s Night Out- Dinner Club (or In, in my case, since I’m hosting it, but Owen is taking the kids out). Each dinner will have a theme. I will send out an e-mailed invite and then those who can make it are given randomly assigned dishes. Dishes are subject to change depending on what seems right for the theme. For example, our first dinner was a Traditional Potluck. I thought it would be a nice way to get our feet wet. Then I literally drew names and dishes from a pile, well two separate piles. Dishes included, a main dish, soup, salad, pasta salad, 2 desserts, (it’s a potluck!) three sides and a drink. It was so fun to see and try what everyone brought!

I made the main dish, slow cooked Orange Glazed Ham. Rachel had salad, which included Brussels sprouts, toasted almonds, Manchego, dried cherries and dried cranberries, etc. Erica made Italian Wedding Soup. Tara made a Butternut Squash, Champaign risotto. Molly made a potato dish with the best crispy fried leeks. Jenn made a slaw type dish with Brussels sprouts and bacon. AnnMarie made a rice pilaf with mushrooms. Bailey made fudge and brownies. Catie made blueberry crumble bars. Brenda made lemonade and brought flavored Perrier’s and coffee. Rhonda brought a creamy cold pea and pasta salad. It was a smorgasbord and delicious to say the least. Next time, I’ll take pictures.

After dinner we put all of our suggestions in a bowl for future themed dinners we’d like to have. Suggestions included ideas like, Breakfast for Dinner, Cheeses of the World (where each dishes would have to include a cheese), Italian, and so on. Catie drew Indian. So, that’s it. Our next dinner will be Indian and will include an appetizer and bread. Indian, what do I know about Indian food? Tempura… Chicken Satay… Curry & Turmeric… Not much! That’s what this is about! I’m so excited!

I’ll keep you posted…