January 2013: A Vegetarian Harvest

2013 Started off with a warm and cozy dinner...

The Hostess

The Rookie

The Theme
A Vegetarian Harvest

The Menu

Appetizer: Gougères

Main Dish: Farro Risotto and Leek and Potato Soup
 Side Dishes: Marinated Beets With Walnuts and Blue Cheese
Shredded Brussels Sprouts and Kale Salad
 Dessert:Torta di Sant'Antonio with Freshly Whipped Cream

Drink: Twelve Mile Limit Cocktail

Background

It was a cold and rainy night in December when I picked out this menu. Doesn't that type of weather make you want to curl up with a bowl of thick soup by a crackling fire? 

I didn't tell my boyfriend there would be no meat until our dinner guests had already arrived and were bringing their dishes into the kitchen. He was...less than excited. I think only one of the guys was "okay" with the idea. The other two filled up on meat products earlier in the day. Honestly, I didn't miss the meat. The farro risotto and the soup were very filling. The salads were a perfect accompaniment. The ladies began by toasting to our first dinner of Supper Club 2.0 with glasses of Twelve Mile Limit cocktails (the recipe described it as "potent" and I can confirm it is). Gougères started the evening's menu off as described on Saveur's website, but you'll have to check out that post for the final verdict.

After the men were fed and the children were tucked in a back bedroom with a few packages of glow sticks to entertain them, the ladies ended the meal in the kitchen with a slice of Torta di Sant'Antonio (a story all it's own)  and a dallop of freshly whipped cream. Perfection!