My good “blend” Mara first initiated me into the Sisterhood of Traveling Pans way back in June of last year. Since then, the Sisterhood has met several more times, but with the wedding, honeymoon and holidays, I have regrettably not been there.
That all changed on Sunday night in the city. The theme? Heart healthy, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
As usual, I was amazed by the dishes these women put together. Pictures simply do not do them justice, but I will make them try as hard as they can!
For starters, there was a fresh spinach salad, made with chickpeas, pears, red onion and balsamic.
Fresh asparagus seasoned with cajun spices.
A platter of beets and mandarin oranges with homemade dressing.
Handmade turkey potstickers with Asian soy sauce for dipping.
And finally, my contribution: Humbecue Salmon Salad ! Served with rye and sesame crackers.
For the main entrees, there was whole wheat pasta, which had every type of mushroom you can imagine (the kitchen smelled like heaven) and fresh Parmesan cheese.
Chicken lettuce wraps with “everything from the fridge” sauce (including ketchup and mustard)!
And last but not least, Mara’s homemade wheat rolls …
…served with black bean burgers !
Nom, right?
We brought everything to the gorgeously arranged table for serving.
I took a bit from each dish and by the end of the meal, my tummy was very happy with me.
Wine was also served, of course. It has heart healthy antioxidants, you know.
The conversation was fabulous as well. We discussed our biggest cooking disasters (mine being that I still have never been able to make a decent batch of chocolate chip cookies), booming new businesses, family and friends. Many laughs were shared.
When the table was cleared for dessert, Tina amazed us all by bringing out a stunner.
I kid you not, this may have been the best dessert I have EVER had. Where to begin? Let’s start from the top. We have fresh strawberry with sugar-coated mint leaves and edible flowers. Next to that, peeking out from underneath, are homemade macaroons. Those, combined with the heart-shaped meringue and raspberries, help balance the exotically rich flavor of the homemade dark chocolate sorbet in the center.
That’s right. Homemade. Dark Chocolate. Sorbet. Four of the best words you could ever string together.
The goodies were surrounded by sprinkles of orange dust . Orange dust. I think it’s self-evident that there wasn’t a single person in the room who was not oohing and ahhing over this dessert.
We left Beth’s house with full stomachs but more importantly, happy, healthy hearts. Sure, we could say it was the food that did it. But I’m more inclined to believe that a night filled with laughter, no matter what is on the menu, is what truly adds years onto our lives.
(How’s that for a cheesy ending?) 
Do you host or attend dinner parties, supper clubs, etc.
I’d love to hear your stories, too.
Abrazos,
My good “blend” Mara first initiated me into the Sisterhood of Traveling Pans way back in June of last year. Since then, the Sisterhood has met several more times, but with the wedding, honeymoon and holidays, I have regrettably not been there.
That all changed on Sunday night in the city. The theme? Heart healthy, just in time for Valentine’s Day.
As usual, I was amazed by the dishes these women put together. Pictures simply do not do them justice, but I will make them try as hard as they can!
For starters, there was a fresh spinach salad, made with chickpeas, pears, red onion and balsamic.
Fresh asparagus seasoned with cajun spices.
A platter of beets and mandarin oranges with homemade dressing.
Handmade turkey potstickers with Asian soy sauce for dipping.
And finally, my contribution: Humbecue Salmon Salad ! Served with rye and sesame crackers.
For the main entrees, there was whole wheat pasta, which had every type of mushroom you can imagine (the kitchen smelled like heaven) and fresh Parmesan cheese.
Chicken lettuce wraps with “everything from the fridge” sauce (including ketchup and mustard)!
And last but not least, Mara’s homemade wheat rolls …
…served with black bean burgers !
Nom, right?
We brought everything to the gorgeously arranged table for serving.
I took a bit from each dish and by the end of the meal, my tummy was very happy with me.
Wine was also served, of course. It has heart healthy antioxidants, you know.
The conversation was fabulous as well. We discussed our biggest cooking disasters (mine being that I still have never been able to make a decent batch of chocolate chip cookies), booming new businesses, family and friends. Many laughs were shared.
When the table was cleared for dessert, Tina amazed us all by bringing out a stunner.
I kid you not, this may have been the best dessert I have EVER had. Where to begin? Let’s start from the top. We have fresh strawberry with sugar-coated mint leaves and edible flowers. Next to that, peeking out from underneath, are homemade macaroons. Those, combined with the heart-shaped meringue and raspberries, help balance the exotically rich flavor of the homemade dark chocolate sorbet in the center.
That’s right. Homemade. Dark Chocolate. Sorbet. Four of the best words you could ever string together.
The goodies were surrounded by sprinkles of orange dust . Orange dust. I think it’s self-evident that there wasn’t a single person in the room who was not oohing and ahhing over this dessert.
We left Beth’s house with full stomachs but more importantly, happy, healthy hearts. Sure, we could say it was the food that did it. But I’m more inclined to believe that a night filled with laughter, no matter what is on the menu, is what truly adds years onto our lives.
(How’s that for a cheesy ending?)
Do you host or attend dinner parties, supper clubs, etc.
I’d love to hear your stories, too.
Abrazos,