Saturday Night Dinner

I made a nice dinner at home last night for myself and a friend of mine. The wine (even though I don't normally drink I did have a few tastes) was Gruet NV Brut and 2005 Chateau Gabaron Bordeaux.

Tapas of Lightly Cured Wild Salmon with Safforn Yogurt, Marinated Olives, Marinated Manchego, Marcona Almonds, and Baby Artichoke Hearts:


Salad of Baby Fennel, Avocado, Grapefruit, and Citrus Vinaigrette:


Peppered Chateau Briand (rare) with Chantrelles, Red Wine Demi-Glace, and Truffled Asparagus:


Coeur a la Creme with Raspberries and Shaved Chocolate:


O.k., o.k., so I didn't have the heart shaped mold to make the dessert a true "coeur". But it was good nonetheless.

rwj

Nice is an understatement, Robert. This was spectacular!! I could have stopped with the appetizer plate and salad alone. Wow!

Thanks, Jo Ann. We ate it all though, as dinner lasted approximately 4 hours!

rwj

[Jenise]

Robert, what a grand meal! I hope it made the sale. And say, aren't avocado and citrus fruit a match made in heaven? I'm surprised it's not done more often.

A couple questions: is the fennel in the salad just sliced and used raw or is it marinated? Or cooked?

How did you do the truffled asparagus? Those are two ingredients that I associate with almost opposite times of the year.

Beautiful presentations. For a cowboy.

A couple questions: is the fennel in the salad just sliced and used raw or is it marinated? Or cooked?

How did you do the truffled asparagus? Those are two ingredients that I associate with almost opposite times of the year.

Beautiful presentations. For a cowboy.

The fennel was sliced very thin and served raw.

I used black truffle oil on the asparagus.

rwj

Gracias, amigo!

No prob, bro. Keep in mind that it was a finishing oil and not used for the actual cooking of the asparagus.

First, it was lightly blanched in salt water. Then it was sautéed in EVOO over very high heat. Finally it was finished with the truffle oil.

rwj

Beautiful work, Cowboy !! I hope your friend appreciated all your efforts..

Thanks, Celia.

And Jenise, I just love avocado and citrus. You are right on the money with "a match made in heaven".

rwj

Wow! Beautiful meal both in concept and presentation!
Ines

That looks absolutely delicious Robert! Your friend is very lucky!