Old World, New Life. A Wine Pairing Dinner

We had a family celebration this last weekend at Lake Almamor.

Celebrating the birth of the newest member of the family

(5 month old Will from New York)

to celebrating the birthday of the matriarch,
it was lots of family, lots of fun, and lots of food!

The Matriarch, Isabel

With a family of 30, we had an action packed weekend. Bird house painting, swimming, and boating were just a few of the highlighted activities. And it all started with a noon tee-off for many, and a welcoming dinner on Friday night,

In the spirit of Old World, we were treated to a menu of:

Argentina Spiced Ribs
Chinese Chicken Drumsticks
German Potatoe Salad
Greek Salad
French Rolls
Dutch Chocolate Cake

Saturday afternoon held a lakeside bbq lunch .

Can you tell by the menu below that this is a family descended of Portugese?

The BBQ Menu

The wine pairing dinner was held on Saturday night.

With each meal served at a different house, we had the wine dinner over looking the golf course. Many activities were planned throughout the evening, including a family photo, games and a silent action for art work that was contributed by the many talented children in the family.

After appetizers, the children were hauled off to another one of the homes where they were served frozen pizza and brownies. The older children helped look after the younger ones. This has become an annual event that I look forward to each year.

Each place setting has their own menu and the table is
decorated with old world maps.
Several family members are in charge of different courses and
the wine that is to be served with their course.

Mozzarella and Tomato Lollipop

Appetizers
Mozzarella and Tomato Lollipops
Spanish Chorizo-stuffed Mini Potatoes
Cristalino Brut Nature Vintage Cava 2005-Spain
Nino Franko RUSTICO Prosecco di Valdabbliadene-Italy
Vinho Verde 2007-Portugal


Spanish Chorizo stuffed Mini Potatoes

First Course
Salade Au Chevre with Thyme and Lavender Honey
Pouilly Fuisse 2006
Laboure-Roi - Vallon d' Or
Burgundy, France

Second Course
Crispy Halibut on Piminton Grilled Corn Cakes
with Red Pepper Coulis
Cabernet sauvignon Rose 2008
Mulderbosh
South Africa

Third Course
Bastilla
Bodega LAN Crianza Rioja 2005
Fuenmayor, Spain
Burgans Albarino 2007
Rias Baixas, Spain


Intermezzo
Champagne, Peach and Mint Chilled Soup with Creme Fraiche


Fourth Course
Beef Medallions Wrapped in Apple-smoked Bacon
On Crispy Fries with Chimichurri Sauce
Santa Ema Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Maipo Valley
Chile

Fifth Course
Old World Cheeses with Quinche Paste, Marcona Almonds
and Turron Blando
Warre's Warrior Special Reserve Porto
Portugal

Sixth Course
Panna Cottta with Berries Compote, Vin Santo Sauce
with Italian Polenta Cookie
Moscato di Asti 2007
Del Marchesi Di Gresy
LaSerra, Italy



We finished up the weekend with a send off breakfast for the whole gang.

What's for Breakfast?

Mexican Eggs
w/salsa, avocado, and Sour Cream
German Glazed Ham
Polish Kiekbasa
Tahitian Fruit Salad
Kartoffelnester Hash Browns
Hawaiian Rolls
Flour Tortillas
Danish Pastry
Hawaiian Mimosa
Brazilian Coffee

I glad I could share my weekend with me.

I hope the menus intrigue you,

the food inspires you,

and the weekend invigorates you!

Enjoy!