One of the things I wanted to do in July was a French dinner, and I did. Not a big one, just my friends Ingalill and Benny who are neighbours. It was decided to have it on the same day as France and Croatia played the final in the football world championship. What can be better than hit "two birds with one stone"?
Here is the meny from my wonderful "Guest and Menu" book I received as a gift many years ago. It always comes in handy on occasions like this.
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| The Menu |
I started with foie gras on biscuits with pickled cucumber and a fig jam, served with champagne from Serge Jumel, a blanc de blanc. We also had the starter, pan fried scallops with garlic and chili before the match. To this I served one of my favourite Alsace wine, a Pinot Gris, 2016 from Wolfberger. After this initial eating we settled down in front of the tv to watch the game.
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| Foie gras and champagne |
I started preparing the main course, Duck l'Orange in the pause and we continued to eat during the game. Duck is one of my favourite dishes and I must say, I found a nice recipe for the sauce. It tasted very well. To this I served another Alsace wine, a Pinot Noir, 2016 from Cave de Bennwihr. It went very well with the duck. It seems I was too take up by the cooking and forgot to take a photo of the duck.
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| Pan fried scallops |
For dessert I wanted to make a fried Camembert with fried parsley and cloudberry jam. My friends were full though and we decided to take it another evening. We settled in front of the tv with a glass of wine to see the end of the game. Victory to France! Congratulations.
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| Wine for the evening |
We ended the evening with another glass of champagne on the balcony. It was a very nice, relaxed evening. No pressure when you invite good friends you know very well. I was quite pleased with the menu, favourite things of mine. The only thing which did not exactly match was the Pinot Gris for the scallops. Only because I added a little bit of pressed lime on the scallops, which made far too much acid in the food to go with the low acidity wine. Just to remember next time. Another wine or no lime!
What a great dinner! Wish you had invited me. Was it real fois gras? So many places don't allow it any more. (I think they are nuts.)
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Thank you. Yes, it was the real stuff. I know one should not eat it, but from time to time I give in. It is really excellent.
DeleteThe evening sounds just lovely. I like the way you give consideration for pairing the wines, and like me, over catering always occurs when planning to host such a party. I hope the camambert dessert isn't waiting too long.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I have taken some courses in wine and food, and it is always nice to try to get the right wine to the right food. It tastes so much better. I hope to do the camembert tonight.
DeleteWhat a wonderful meal you prepared! And wines for everything. So impressive.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Planning a meal is sometimes the best part! I like pairing the wine with the food. If you get it right, it tastes so much better.
DeleteWhat a wonderful meal to celebrate France. The scallops look delicious.
ReplyDeleteOh Lisbeth, it looks and sounds just splendid! There's nothing better than dinner with friends no matter what the menu but a French one makes it all the more special. I am wildly impressed by your efforts!
ReplyDeleteThank you Sami. Just live scallops. This was a first time recipe and It tasted very well.
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