Dinner For Friends

We went camping this last weekend for a few days during Spring vacation. My old chilhood friend, Kim, whom I haven't seen in 11 years, lives in S. Oregon. We've been chatten a lot lately and and although I know she has missed me, I believe she has missed my food as well.

We planned on getting together and have a wine pairing dinner. I had been planning on what to make for weeks, and I decide on this menu of my favorites. And I was able to pull it all together in the confines of our little 5TH-wheel camping trailer. At a picnic table. But I was so caught up in the moment and the fun, especially after a couple glasses of wine, that I didn't get any pictures of the dinner it's self. But I'd like to share my menu with you along with what pictures I do have!

The Menu!

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Chevre Cheesecake in Biscotti Crust

White Wine

Artisian Cheese and Fruit

Grilled Proscuitto wrapped Pear On Baby Greens
Macadamian Nuts and Goat Cheese
Raspberry Honey Vinergerette

Red Wine

Beef and Spinich Pasta Ravioli and Wild Mushroom Ravioli
in a Bechamel Sauce

Beef Tenderloin Steak
Topped w/ Blue Cheese

Spiced Merlot Molten Lava Cake
with Chocolate Dipped Strawberrys

Dessert Wine

We started with appetizers .
Bacon Wrapped Dates stuff with a pecan is one of my favorites. I love the crunchiness of the pecan, the sweetness of the date, and the saltiness of the bacon. When Kim saw this on the menu she was quite unsure of what to think. Contemplating a "HELL NO", she took a bite and was smitten.

Another one of my favorites,
Chevre Rosemary Cheesecake with Biscotti Crust!

A sweet/savory cheesecake that has the tang of Chevre cheese,
the unexpected flavor of rosemary, and a sweet biscotti cookie crumb crust.
An explosion of flavors complimented by a glass or two of white wine.

The Assembly Line

One bottle of wine that I served was a Mt. Rainier white, that I bought at Harry And Davids in Oregon. It was a light, crisp, fruity wine that I served ice cold in chilled glasses. It paired perfectly! I should have bought a stash of that.

The next course was a cheese platter.

I served slices of Ile De France Brie. A soft ripened cheese that is mild and buttery.

An Aged Cheddar from KerryGold that was rich and smooth.

and KerryGold Dubliner that was nutty and had strong characteristic of a Parmesan.

The last cheese was a dry Jack cheese, The Hubby's favorite.

Served with a mango coconut roll, a spicy slice of mango,
on a lemon leaf lined plate.

Crackers included!
Cook's note: Bring cheese to room temperature before serving!


For the salad, nothing better then a

Grilled Prosciutto Wrapped Pears with Baby Greens,
Macadamia Nuts, Goat Cheese and
Orange Honey Vinaigrette

Served with Barefoot Sauvignon Blanc!

The Reds!

I made Beef Ravioli when we had our Daring Baker's Lasagna challenge, just for this occasion.
An hour before we left, the UPS man showed up at our door with
a trial of the new Riserva pasta line by Buitoni, Wild Mushroom Ravioli.
I served both pastas together with a simple white sauce, aka Bechamel .

What a treat!

Thank you Buitoni and Foodbuzz!

The main course was Blackened Beef Tenderloin topped with crumbled Blue Cheese.
The picture says it all!

The dishes waiting to be filled and baked with Merlot Spiced Molten Lava Cakes. Another one of our favorite decedent desserts that we just love to find an excuse for.

A special dessert for a special occasion! Just wish I had a picture. I guess that just gives me another reason to make this cake! :)

The Aftermath!

Last was the dessert wine by the rip roaring fire. I've tasted many dessert wines and all are expensive. We found one at Trader Joe's that we just love, again, our favorite. It's Trader Joe's Moscato Dessert Wine. Priced at $4.99 for a small bottle, it's a little luxury I can afford!

I hope you enjoyed the dinner as much as I did.

It was a weekend of good friends, good food, and good weather.

The wine? It was great!!! ;)