Fwd:

Me and the love of my life. You know what he surprised me with yesterday? Season tickets to the Charleston Symphony Orchestra for September through February. I'm super excited! He's so good to me!

Fwd: couple of pics for you.....will have more later....

Wednesday was Donna's birthday. And she celebrated 60 again with a big party at Blues in Mt Pleasant. In lieu of gifts she asked that everyone bring cat/dog food and/or money to donate to the Charleston Animal Society and Pet Helpers. She also arranged a large raffle with all kinds of items being donated to raise money for both of the above-mentioned charities. These were a few of the people from the party that came. We're biased because these people are personally our friends, which is why we're there pictured with them. :) Happy Birthday Donna! It was a great night!

Fwd: Bouchon meal

So here's the latest from my Bouchon cooking, taking place last Sunday. 

First Course: Dungeness Crab Salad with Melon and Arugula Salad

Main Course: Herb Gnocchi with Spring Vegetables

Dessert: Strawberry Tart

So, the crab salad. I didn't have dungeness crab. It's from the Northwest coast and really prevalent in the Fall. Since neither of those things worked in my favor last weekend, I just bought lump crab meat. I didn't know the difference so we were fine. The crab salad was a simple mixture of creme fraiche, lemon juice, zest and herbs. And it was delicious. One of the most simple, refreshing and delicious salads we've put in our mouths. The melon was nice, but not needed and the arugula salad was quite tasty made from a reduction of fresh orange juice and sherry vinegar. Yummo.

The gnocchi. Yes, I tackled and accomplished it! In my ignoriance, I thought I was embarking upon some potato gnocchi only to find out that Italian gnocchi is made with potatoes and French gnocchi is made with pate e choux (flour, butter and eggs). So I whipped it and did as the recipe said. And yes, I impressed even myself. The great thing about doing all of that work is that it made so many! They apparently freeze well and the next time I make gnocchi I only  need to thaw them and then cook them up. Back to how they tasted. Two words. Comfort food. I sauteed them with the spring vegetables and brown butter. They were salty and crispy and soft and chewy and oh so good. Beau and I wished I had made more. Can't wait to do that one again.

Strawberry Tart. I chose to make this because...well...strawberries are in season. It first involved making a Pate Sucree. That was a first. Not bad at all. Until I cooked it. The nice golden brown I was supposed to get quickly turned into a darker golden than I would have liked. So needless to say, it was a bit crunchy. And the homemade vanilla pastry cream, although it tasted super, it was a little bit thicker than I think it was supposed to be. But hey, I've never made pastry cream before so one can't be too sure. The strawberries were placed on top, dusted with powdered sugar and voila. A fairly easy summery dessert that will win a crowd for sure. I personally loved that it wasn't overly sweet. Most of the sweetness came from the berries. 

Still loving this cookbook...

Old friends

Beau and I had dinner with Steve and Amy Kannel last night in Hilton Head. Aside from delicious food, we had a wonderful time catching up and making introductions. It has been 9 years since Amy and I were summer roommates in Colorado and 5 years since I had seen her last. It was so wonderful!

Blast from the Past

A friend and roommate from college, Kristen was in town last night with her husband, Mark. They headed out on a cruise today out of Charleston. We were fortunate to have dinner with then last night. It was so wonderful catching up and being able to introduce she and Beau. It's great seeing friends!!!

Saving

Beau and I are driving to Hilton Head to meet an old friend if mine and her husband for dinner. On the way, we passed a turtle trying to cross the road. Beau turned the car around and walked out in the street, picked up the turtle, carried it down to the marsh and watched it swim away.

Date Night at Ohara and Flynn

Charcuterie and cheese board with some good red wine for our date night dinner. Bela Fleck concert is next!