Cocktails
Smoked salmon with Creme Fraiche, Capers and Onion on Pumpernickel Toast
Shrimp wrapped in Basil Leaves and Prosciutto
Soup
Cream of Asparagus Soup
Salad
Mandarin topped Tossed Salad
Main
Beef Bourguignon
Buttered Noodles
Honey Roasted Carrots
Dessert
Banana Cream Pie
This menu looks fairly complicated, but one of the reasons that I came up with it, is that I could prepare some of the key ingredients the day before. Over the next few days I will go through the recipes for each course and what I was able to do ahead of time. For example, Beef Bourguignon can be made almost completely the day ahead and just warmed up on the day of the dinner. The Asparagus Soup can be made a day ahead too, and slowly warmed up just prior to serving. The dressing for the salad and the salad prep can be done way before dinner and the Banana Cream pie can be made several hours prior to guests arriving. That means that the appetizers and the carrots are about the only items that really need much work on the day of the dinner. This plan will allow me lots of time to spend with our guests, yet serve a fairly elegant dinner without lots of last minute work. I will have some pictures of each course and recipes over the next few days. I hope you enjoy the journey.
Do you buy fresh shrimp, frozen raw shrimp, or frozen already cooked shrimp ?
ReplyDeleteI buy fresh if possible, but most of the year all you can find is frozen. I only buy wild caught shrimp, never farmed. I never buy already cooked shrimp. They are generally overcooked and watery.
DeleteI really liked this menu. Will be arranging a holiday party at one of LA venues. Want to have delicious food. Will have a good menu list as want to make my guests happy. I am really excited for the day. Hope will be able to arrange best there.
ReplyDelete