Okay, I have to admit it. I love to entertain. I love to have people over and cook dinner for them. We had the Rev's staff over tonight and I served dinner for 15 people. It was great.
I must admit the dinner wasn't too extravagant but I would like to think it was substantial. I did a roasted pork loin that I had cured over night with a Chinese 5 Spice rub. I also did a beef rib roast. This was a good cut of Amana boneless prime rib roast so I didn't do anything more than brown it and roast it correctly. It is amazing how good, good beef can taste if you don't over due the preparation.
Then I did roasted sweet potatoes with a pecan and whiskey sauce compliments of the Foodnetwork. This was a total success. We did this for Thanksgiving and it was such a success I had to do it again. I even did a double batch so I could take it into the store tomorrow for the potluck. I will say one thing about the recipe. It says to lightly roast the pecans at one point and both times I have prepared it I have totally destroyed the pecans. Just skip the toasting and go right into making the sauce and it turns out great.
I love putting out appetizers before a meal. It is one of my favorite things to do. This time I had an olive selection that included pickled mushrooms. This is the third time I have done that and the third time that I was the only one eating it. I think I need to learn to leave that out of my offering. I also put in the humus with flat bread and again that was a hit. I have this reputation with the Rev's staff for making this great humus. It is very simple. I buy the classic Mediterranean style humus. Then I drizzle on a little extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle it with some paprika. This is how I had it when we were in Jerusalem and I really like it that way. Several people tonight complimented me on the humus. I served three kinds of cheese with crackers. The Widmer cheddar was the real hit. I had a good Gorgonzola which was okay and a Crescenza-Stracchino that wasn't as popular. I thought it was amazing but the guests didn't choose it as much. I guess that shows that this group prefers the cheeses they are familiar with.
The wine that was a real hit with me was the Vouvray 2008 from Monmousseau. This was a blanc de blanc that the guy at the wine shop was very excited about and I would agree with him. It was a very affordable wine (about $10 per bottle) and very pleasing. My guests enjoyed it. I also had Chardonnay, a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Savignon. All pleasing wines but he Vouvray was the hit.
I must say it was a great night. All of the guests had a great meal and a great time. The Rev and I agree that we needed to bring them all over some night for games and do it again. Maybe not the whole meal but another night together. We had a great time.
The Rev and I had a great night with friends. I hope this holiday season you are able to say the same.
Peace.
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