A Mediterranean-Style Dinner Party

I recently decided to host a dinner party chez moi along with the help of a friend. I hit the SM farmers market that morning with a Mediterranean-themed menu in mind, followed by a trip to Andrew's Cheese Store on Montana.


I scooped some delicious dates at the market, which I stuffed with this ridiculous blue cheese (wish I remembered the name). I roasted the bundles for about 10 minutes and voila, the easiest, yummiest app slightly more interesting than a cheese plate.




A few weeks prior I had acquired a jar of my newest obsession, candied wild hibiscus flowers, these purple-magenta gems I added to coupe glasses and topped with Henriot rose. The hibiscus flowers imbue the Champagne with a hint of sweetness like a Kir and also add a pale pink tinge (hello Valentine's Day). The flowers also appear to effortlessly float in the glass which looks just oh so pretty. Love.




Meanwhile, I marinated the lamb for a few hours in red wine, ginger, fresh tangerine juice, cumin, corriander seeds and cilantro, then roasted it until a lovely medium-rare. We served this along with mashed chickpeas spiked with cilantro, roasted garlic, and caramelized onions. Instead of mashed potatoes, mashed chickpeas, a healthier alternative. Great switcheroo.


We threw together a salad with baby arugula, shaved fennel, pomegranate seeds (I bought a white pomegranate), and crispy prosciutto, and finally mini baby eggplants sauteed until silky smooth with tomatoes and basil.




For dessert, a super serious Bon Appetit torte which essentially just calls for chocolate, eggs, cream, and sugar (doesn't get much better than that!). This dessert is called La Bete Noir which translates into "The Black Beast," and is basically just like eating a block of rich and creamy dark chocolate. A most appropriate name. I suggest serving this with a dollop of unsweetened heavy cream and some fresh berries.