Both Mary Corsini, my parents’ good friend and charmingly wacky, superstitious, next-door neighbor lady, and Lea Worcester, the Mary Corsini of my generation, would often have occasions when they’d invite you to come by, for a little drinkie, little snackie – basically cocktails and appetizers. When my brother lived in Minneapolis, and was married but childless, I remember some pleasant happy hours with him and my sister-in-law, and sometimes our parents, too. We’d have a martini, or gin & tonic, or maybe a beer, and olive tapenade, melon salsa & chips, cheese & crackers. Maybe some partially cooked broccoli “trees” for my mom. Nuts.
Last night I tried to arrange such an occasion. One of my friends had a birthday May 31, and I invited her and a few others that didn’t make it. I had a little too much food per the number of people. Our enjoyment was also marred by the presence of a gang of middle school girls at their most sullen and unpleasant.
I made a Cafe Flora curried lentil spread – got a ton of that still – but I think it could enrich the sauce of any other curry I choose to make in the near future – and, farther term – I think I can freeze it. I grilled 3 pitas lurking in the back of the fridge, and the three of us ate all but a few wedges. I got out some cheeses & grapes, and bought a few olives – no problem dealing with any of these leftovers. Oh, and I made apricot chutney – guess I’ll have to use it inside a baked Brie sometime.
I took a bunch of pictures, but of course, John is way better with my fixed lens than am I. Still the outdoor ones look pretty good.
- Outdoor table
- Food on the deck
- Table outdoors - maybe the trick is just to shoot outside
- Another view of my plate
- My plate
- The whole spread, outdoors
- Olives & feta cubes from Sentry
- The amazing Marika Gouda with fengugreek & Jarlsburg (a little dried out, but still good)
- Apricot chutney
- Grilled pita bread - used my Mario Batalli pannini press
- I do kind of like how this shot of grapes turned out
