The birthday cook-a-thon celebration for my husband was a huge success and just so much fun. We started cooking at noon and ate from 2:45 to 6:45 just in time to put Zach on a 7:10 train back to New Haven. So what do you call a leisurely meal like this that encompasses lunch and dinner? Linner!
While every dish was great, what was even more terrific was the time spent together, planning, chopping, sharing pots, debating, arguing, laughing and agreeing. My oldest son was upset at first with the look of the short ribs. He said they weren’t going to look pretty enough. Being a designer, that made me feel good – at least he learned something from me! We played games in between while watching football. And since one person did not have responsibility for the whole meal, there was time off for everyone. It was really a wonderful day of just being together.
Now for the food! Here’s the photo essay.
— Making a zucchini, red pepper and fennel torta
Onions sauteing for the short ribs
The short ribs, browned
The salads – mozzarella, tomato, baby arugula and olive oil
Linguine with olive oil, garlic and spinach topped with broiled breadcrumbs
The beautiful zucchini, red pepper, fennel and mint torta
The torta serving – so pretty!
The main course – delicious short ribs with creamy polenta squares
The birthday dessert – beautiful warm, chocolate-filled pastries made by Agata, so yummy!
Farro Pasta with Portobello Mushrooms, Chicken, Tomatoes, and Green Beans in a Sherry Cream Sauce
Eggplant Tarts Make a Great Tuscan Starter Dish
Happy New Year 2015!!! Porchetta with a Persimmon, Pomegranate and Frisee Salad
Grilled eggplant, prosciutto, mozzarella, basil and tomato sandwich
Your Thanksgiving Celebration
Mary, this looks fantastic! The torta looks so good – do you have a recipe for it?
Thanks!
– Brit
It was really delicious and clean tasting. My son made it up. Let me see if I can get the details from him. I’ll get back to you!
What a wonderful birthday meal. I think it’s great that the whole family cooked it. You are a lucky woman! 😉
I know, I am lucky! Thank you.
Lovely meal. The salad looks especially delicious to me.
Lillian
lillianscupboard.workpress.com
The salad was fantastic – so simple and so good. It is always about the quality of your ingredients and this was particularly great, creamy mozzarella.
What a lovely way to have your meal. That is the way we do our Christmas meal, leisurely over several hours with each person contributing. Happy Birthday to your husband.
Thank you! We really enjoyed it – as I’m sure you do your Christmas dinner.
Everything looks fantastic! Love the veggie torta!
Thanks!! I’m working on the recipe now so stayed tuned!
What a great meal. I think I’d like to make the same menu!
It was great! Torta recipe to come…
Every recipe you post, you say how you love the “secret ingredient.” I’ve yet to see what that could be. Enlighten me, please.
Thanks
LOVE IS the secret ingredient! Start from a happy place. Cook with the intention of love for all your ingredients, in all your actions. Imagine the joy on people’s faces when they eat your food and how delicious it’s going to taste.