With Christmas just a few days away, we are all busy planning for the big day, and looking forward to seeing family and friends (and figuring out how to wrap a Ukelele… But this Monday our trio gathered for a last Monday Night Dinner, before the big day. A friend that we met in Worcester was visiting from Chicago, to get some coaching, before singing at Westminster Abbey. Steph thought it time that James met our friend Peter. We have also been wanting to have our very first subscriber over for dinner, for some time. This gave us 6 for dinner, our trio, James, Peter and Andrea. We met our guests with sparkling wine, to start the evening off right.
The first question, for this week is “What shall we do with the leftover Duck Confit?” Why not a White Bean Soup, with Duck Confit and Crispy Duck Skin?
We had a bit of a chat, while the main was finishing cooking and then served Boeuf en Croute, with a Madeira sauce (flamed, of course), and mushroom Duxelle, Tomatoes Provençale and Haricots Verts. This was a new boeuf en croute recipe for us, but it came out beautifully. We used a grain fed beef tenderloin from Witteveen’s farm, outside of Brantford.
Now on to the dessert…. When I was asked to bring my favorite trifle bowl along, I was intrigued. Shawn had found a Roasted Pear and Caramel Trifle recipe. Layers of lady fingers, soaked in brandy, roasted pears, homemade custard, caramel sauce and Chantilly cream. Who could ask for more than that?
This was a lovely way to finish the meal. Now on to the best part of the evening. With some talented musicians in the room, we can tackle something important. Christmas Carols!!! We also threw in some Sumsion in G, with the famous “have a banana” motif. I knew that James was an organist, but did not know he played double bass. Alas we did not have one at hand, but it turns out he is also handy on violin and uttered the line “May I adjust your bridge?” We had Peter on piano, and in duet with Shawn, James and Steph on violin and everyone pitching in on vocals. Singing with friends is a great way to get in the Christmas spirit!!! We even had time for a quick Skype Chat with Chris and Rosemary, to check in before the holidays.
Just a few days more and the Jolly old Elf will make his appearance, as we celebrate the birth of our saviour, with family, friends, gifts and food. And I anticipate all of these eagerly!!! Blessing to you all in this season of hope.
Merry Christmas to you my dear friends. Many thanks for all you have done this year, for me and for all those who share a table with us. Your gifts have healing powers. Long may you cook!