Dinner at our Friends'

Yesterday, we were invited to our  friends' place for dinner. It always gives me great pleasure to go to their house. They like to entertain and it shows.  The food is always excellent and this time was no exception. You might ask yourself, " so why write about this friend..?"  The answer it's very simple. She impressed me!


First of all let me start by saying that she has been very busy all week. She was home just for a short 2 weeks that were coming fast to an end and she was going to go back to her job, two thousand miles away, the very next day. So, last thing that anyone would need is having company for dinner the day before you leave home. I myself would find that quite an inconvenience, to say the least.  Yet, she insisted on having us over before she had to go away again. She had entertained the previous week to which we were invited too but I took ill and was not able to go. She missed us and truth to be told, I did miss spending time with her before she left again, so, there we were.

 

She put together a wonderful meal. Her mom helped her with some of the food that she cooked ahead of time. Good thing, as our friends have not been at home all morning... In fact, they arrived home just a few minutes before we arrived at their door. In spite of that, everything turned out just right. I guess, it's true what they say, "if there is a will, there is a way". 

Smoked Salmon  Endives

Roasted Chicken

We all pitched in helping set the table, and setting out the appetizers, while talking and enjoying each other's company...then, we all sat down to enjoy the appetizers in front of us.  Meanwhile, the wonderful aroma of mushroom cups  baking in the oven filled the room.
 

Baked Mushrooms with Swiss Cheese

Sliced endives mixed with olive oil, lemon juice, chopped green onions and black olives made for a great salad to accompany the main course. Wonderful and good for you.

Endives Salad

Appetizers usually include a plate with sliced tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers,  green onions and peppers and a platter with two or three kind of sliced cheese selections, and a mixed of sliced  turkey, chicken breast, or roast beef.  

Chocolate Mousse Cake

This chocolate  mousse cake was purchased by our hostess at the local Market Place. I am not for bought cakes so much, (I enjoy baking my own), but this was a wonderful  chocolate lovers dream....Delicious!!


 So, you see, even when you don't have time to stay home and cook all day,  when you are too busy to set the table ahead of time, when you feel that just don't have much time to prepare for company, just know that you don't have to have all that time.  I guess, what I am saying is that, if you  really want to entertain, and have friends over for dinner, you can do it with less time and preparation than you think.
Plan to cook your main courses ahead of time and all you have to do, is to warm the food while the table is being set. Remember, friends can help you set the table, set the food on the table, and whatever else is needed to be done... The purpose is to get together and have fun, and when friends get together, they come to your house for more than just food; they come to be with you, to enjoy your company, to just spend time with you and with each other...  Lesson learned! Thank you Roxana!

So, for the rest of you, go ahead, enjoy life, enjoy your family and  friends...and just remember, when there is a will, there is always a way!

Happy Entertaining!