A Birthday Dinner

 

This weekend was my mother-in-law's birthday.

 

Each year, as a gift, I make us all a dinner - a four course dinner.

 

I love to cook. I love reading cookbooks and planning menus and the shopping and prepping and the setting the table. I love making the meal and enjoying it with them.

 

And so, it's become a tradition.

 

This is what was served this year:

 

Seared Diver Scallops with Parsnip Apple Puree and Crispy Bacon 

 

Beef Tenderloin with King Crab Claws, Mash, Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Toasted Walnuts and Corn Pudding

 

Trio of Cheeses:

3 Year Cheddar with Apple, Gorgonzola with Pear and Pecans, and a Honey Pistachio Goat's Cheese Truffle

 

Molten Chocolate Cake with Macerated Blackberries and Vanilla Whipped Cream

French Macarons:

Chocolate, Coffee, Vanilla and Raspberry

 

Each course was paired with a wine.

 

It was a lovely evening. When dinner is served in courses, it just makes for a long, relaxing night. It gives lots of time to savour each course, and enjoy the company.

 

Of course it's a little harder to do all that while cooking... But it's still lots of fun.

 

 

I had spent the morning helping my parents move in to their new place (lots more of that to come!), and was busy painting. So, by the time I got home, I needed to get started cooking and didn't have much time to take many photos of our table. But, I did manage to get a few.

 

I didn't do anything too crazy, but I did make her an arrangement. Yellows, greens and whites are her favourite so I used some beautiful yellow Roses, with green Hydrangeas, white Tulips and even some young white Hyacinth's.

We all had a wonderful night.

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

A Birthday Dinner

 

Last weekend, in celebration of my mother in law's birthday, I decided to throw a small dinner party.

 

It's not often I get to cook dinner for her, so when the occasion does arise, I try to make it a special one.

 

It's been a while since I've been able to enjoy a glass of wine, so bottles over the past year and a half have been collecting in our cellar. I thought this was the perfect occasion to dust a couple off and enjoy them.

 

 

I paired each course with a local wine.

 

Seared Diver Scallops with Pancetta, Garlic Aioli and Parmesan Tulles

 2010 Trius Dry Riesling

 

Pork Chop with Garlic Mash and French Beans

2009 Hillbrand Showcase Pinot Noir

 

Artisan Cheese

(Brie, Bella Vitano and English Stilton with Pear, Grapes and Crisps)

2007 Peller Estates Private Reserve Icewine

 

Chocolate Cake Three Ways

   

 

Needing to seat six, I had to move out our little pedestal table and use our desk for the evening. It worked perfectly.

 

 

I kept the table simple for lack of extra space.

 

 

For dessert, I decided to do chocolate cake three ways. This was her chocolate cake with Swiss buttercream.

 

 

I also did chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream and white chocolate-dipped chocolate cake pops.

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Mom!

 

[all photos belonging to The Grower's Daughter]