Sarah
Today I went shopping for the ingredients for tomorrow night's big dinner. There weren't a lot of things on my list, but I bought a lot of each thing including 8 cloves of garlic, 5 bunches of asparagus, 2 heads of cauliflower, 7.5 lbs of chicken and LOTS of cheese! I was kind of skeptical about whether the commissary would have gruyere cheese (I've never noticed it there!) but they had 2 different kinds and even a few substitutes. I triple checked my list, so hopefully I won't have any last minute trips to the store tomorrow.
I'm starting to get nervous! Maybe 5 items was a bit ambitious for my first try? Plus I have to double most of my recipes to accomodate 10 people so I'm not sure how that will work out (will everything fit in my pots?). Thank God that Amy didn't specify that the food had to "look like the pictures in the book" or "taste like a little bit of Paris". I plan to start cooking tomorrow morning...
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Sarah
Where to find a tart pan? My first task in preparing for dinner on Tuesday has been a challenging one. I've been to 3 retail stores and 1 restaurant supply store and am still tart-less. Later today I'll up my ante and head to Williams & Sonoma where I will officially enter the world of the discriminating gourmet. How could I even think of making the lemon meringe tart in a pie dish?! What is a tart without the fluted golden brown crust?
Also in search of a pastry bag and tips...
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Sarah
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Sarah
After a careful review of Amy's selections I've decided on a menu for my first dinner:
Starter: Cheese Straws
Chicken with Forty Cloves of Garlic
Asparagus with Hollandaise
Cauliflower Gratin
Dessert: Lemon Meringue Tart
All family and friends who want to come RSVP by Saturday night 1/10. No more than 10 so RSVP right away!
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Sarah
On Christmas night a formal wager was made between my older sister Amy and I. I will cook each recipe she selects from "Barefoot in Paris" for her at least once, and then I may assume ownership of her new cookbook. No exceptions for food quality or mistakes! She did not drive a hard bargain.
On New Year's Eve, Amy marked all of the recipes in the book for me to cook. More than 40, but I say, bring on the challenge! I've always wanted to learn how to cook French food and though Ina Garten is no Julia Child the food will be delicious.
In my corner: EVERYONE! Let's face it - everyone wants me to win this one. Their mouths started watering at the first mention of veal chops and loin of pork. But I will be the ultimate winner! New skills, new cookbook, and lots of fun dinners with everyone I love. Who could ask for more?
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Today I went shopping for the ingredients for tomorrow night's big dinner. There weren't a lot of things on my list, but I bought a lot of each thing including 8 cloves of garlic, 5 bunches of asparagus, 2 heads of cauliflower, 7.5 lbs of chicken and LOTS of cheese! I was kind of skeptical about whether the commissary would have gruyere cheese (I've never noticed it there!) but they had 2 different kinds and even a few substitutes. I triple checked my list, so hopefully I won't have any last minute trips to the store tomorrow.
