Monday, August 23, 2010

Simple Joys of Summer

I love meeting new people, especially new people who are fellow foodies!  I also love dinner parties. I don't know what it is about food but it has the ability to instantly melt away the strangeness and formalities and turn strangers into lifelong friends. But what I love more are weddings!!! Weddings create this cloud of warmth and joy, which no matter how special, no dinner party can recreate. =) 

This past weekend in DC was paragon. It started off with a night at the theatre Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, people watching at Tryst, dinner party at the Boter-Kang residence, biking through Georgetown with The Suitor and his parents, followed by the most satisfying brunch at Peacock Cafe, and an evening unraveled by a warm and touching wedding. And to tie the weekend together, a Sunday funday brunch at Clyde's with both the bride and groom's families. 


FOOD HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEKEND
Boter-Kang Dinner (recipes below)
Boter Salad: This salad, so simple, so easy, and BIG delivery.  There's no dressing required, just let the sauteed onions and melted feta do all the work.
Yogurt-Basil Chicken: Another quick and simple recipe guarantees you'll be licking your plate dry.


Peacock Cafe: This beautiful cafe in the heart of Georgetown offers an extensive menu guaranteeing to please all. From your typical brunch offerings of eggs and pancakes, to heartier options like sandwich and soup.  The golden child of the menu being the sandwiches, which employ equally charming names after famous stars such as Humphrey Bogart and Paul Newman (my personal fav!)


Wedding
I have to admit, at most weddings, often times the food is so neglected and mistreated that I want to cry. But the wedding I went to this weekend (The Suitor's cousin) the dinner again left me in tears, this time happy tears! My fav were the risotto and sea food stations.   
Fabulous Risotto Station: For anyone who knows me, they know risotto is so very, VERY, VERY dear to my heart. I love a creamy light risotto and part of the dinner menu included a make your own risotto station!!!! You had an extensive list of options to choose from, my personal risotto consisted of sun-dried tomato, asparagus, and caramelized onions. 
Creamy Sea Bass: The sea bass was well prepared, a little over-cooked but not dry. Draped with the most creamiest sauce, which enhanced the delicate flavor of the fish while being too over-powering.


Sunday Funday Brunch
Clydes: Funday brunch was the perfect wrap to a weekend of celebrations. I had a Maryland benedict,  but not impressed, but I couldn't leave Maryland without having crab. The pancakes however, executed the perfect wrap to seal the weekend, and the syrup tied the a perfect bow to safeguard the memories for the future.  


Boter Salad 
Spinach
Cherry tomatoes
White Onion - They tend to be sweeter so additions necessary.
Avocado
Garlic
Feta


Julienne the onion and garlic and sauté in a skillet without any oil or butter. The juices of the onion provide the perfect sauté base. While the onions sauté, dice the avocado and combine with spinach and tomatoes in a salad bowl. 


Sauté until tender and remove from heat. Combine with feta and let the heat from the onions melt the feta into oozy goodness! Serve the salad and top with the onion feta mix. 


Yogurt-Basil Chicken
3 Chicken Breast
1.5 Cups Greek Yogurt 
3 cloves Garlic 
Salt & Pepper
Olive Oil
1/2 Lemon
1 bunch Basil


Season the chicken with olive oil, salt & pepper and set aside.  In a food processor combine the basil, yogurt, garlic, lemon zest and juice of half a lemon and puree.  Line a roasting pan or baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Combine the chicken and yogurt mixture in the baking dish and bake for 30-45 minutes on 375 degrees.  


I threw this recipe together on a whim will minimal expectation but boy did this sauce deliver!!! Make sure to have a baguette handy for sauce!!!!


Bon Appetite!!! 





1 comment:

  1. Sounds like an amazing weekend of food! I agree with you on wedding food, usually lackluster!

    ReplyDelete