This week marks the last week that our friend Luke will be able to join us for Monday Night Dining, at least for quite some time. He will be heading state side, and then back to Australia, to start a new chapter in his life. He has already had a few farewell get togethers, but we wanted to send him off in Monday Night Dining style.
We started out with a Seared scallop, with beurre blanc, hot sauce and tomato salsa.
Shawn is really becoming an expert at getting the scallops just right, and even without filling the apartment with smoke. The sauce on this one was so good, that I had to get out spoons, so we could get every drop.
For the main, we served Pan fried sea bass, with caramelized beets, cauliflower puree and sauce vierge.
We were watching Masterchef Junior, and they had the kids cooking a dish similar to this. It looked so good, we decided to put our own spin on it. The fish was beautiful (from City Fish) the plating was colourful and the flavours amazing. Steph brought a bottle of Thirty Bench – 2013 Small Lot Chardonnay. This was a surprisingly crisp and light chardonnay, that did not overpower the delicate fish.
Our dessert tonight was a vanilla panna cotta with Blood oranges.
Panna Cotta has been one of our go to eggless desserts. The best part is that you can flavor it with whatever is in season. Luke and I love blood oranges, so I added some zest to the panna cotta and we made a simple coulis, from the oranges, with some orange segments. Yes, that is the real colour of the oranges, and the flavour is almost a mixture of orange and berries.
Although Luke has only been in our lives for relatively short time, he has made an impact. He is a deeply caring and empathetic person, but at the same time whimsical and even silly, which I think is just what we needed lately. We will all miss him, especially Enzo, but we wish him well, as he embarks on another adventure into the unknown. Bon Voyage!!!
A fitting send off for our young Aussie friend. I am sure Luke will be inspired to cook Monday Night Dinner for his friends back home : )