One of my favorite things to do is to have friends over and eat…the husband was away so I invited my geeky friend Miss Karen (we serve on the same IT Team), Miss Shannon and Neighbor Janet. I wanted Miss Karen to show me how to make her world famous salad dressing with tamari sauce…so I made her come over and cook. The only stipulation for an invitation was that you like to experiment and eat. That’s it. And I know these three ladies did.
I set the table with very large chargers for plates…I was planning on eating a lot of food. I also kept lots of space open between settings for the meal, after all, that was the point. We had every single protein that evening, fish, chicken and beef. I pulled out whatever I had in the refrigerator because we were in the mood for experimentation.
I wish I had a wider angle lens, I would have captured Neighbor Janet and Miss Karen in this shot. I guess I could have gotten out of my chair but I’d rather have an uber wide angle outrageously expensive lens.
Neighbor Janet chopped the chicken breast for Pad Thai. She also did most of my dishes bless her heart.
Miss Shannon skinned the salmon for the salad. She kept saying, “Am I doing this right?” and I kept saying, “That’s fine.” not really knowing if it was fine or not.
And now the salad dressings. Miss Karen said that this spice from Trader Joe’s was the secret ingredient.
Miss Karen gave me the recipe yesterday. After all that, I forgot to get it last week and I forgot to take a photo of the cast of characters. I think I see dijon mustard, olive oil, the spice, and is that a pineapple? Anyway, she left me a jar of the spice, what a darling!
I bought this orange pepper for the salad because I thought it would look pretty with the greens. I’m not just into looks. The colorful veggies are also high in vitamins and minerals.
I had some shrimp in the refrigerator that I bought from the Stevenville Crab Shack a few days before. I didn’t want it to go bad so Miss Shannon looked up a recipe on the internet and whipped up some kind of lemon shrimp that was delicious! It was amazing. She just sent me the recipe! That too will be for Foodie Friday. It was divine.
Miss Shannon made this beautiful trifle for dessert,
which is when the boys decided to make a showing.
They didn’t come when the Pad Thai, the grilled shrimp, the bulgogi, the tom yum soup, the salmon salad with tamari dressing, and the olive bread was out. But when there’s dessert, they miraculously make their presence known.
Wow, that’s a pretty eclectic menu…I don’t think it’s going to win any awards but boy was it good!
They are cute though.
Photos edited with “Colorize” by TRA. Update: Ooops…it’s really “Luxe (hard)” not “Colorized.” I tried several…
Posted on Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch. They set beautiful tables over there. I’m going to have to get out my china…
I’m also pleased to post this on What Works For Us.
Shannon Thompson said,
June 11, 2009 at 7:11 am
That was some YUMMY food! Thanks again for having us all over! I wish I took the camera from you and got a picture of YOU, though! Sorry! Those boys are cuties!
Linda/ "Mom..." said,
June 11, 2009 at 8:50 am
* This not only looks like a DELICIOUS evening, but such a F*U*N one, too!!! KUDOS, KIDDO!!!
Linda in AZ *
Puna said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:26 am
It was fun! Thanks for coming by…I can’t click on the link you left me, but I wanted to know if a German short hair is a dog. Please don’t be offended if it’s not, I just really wanted to know.
Tina @ Enchanted Rose Studio said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:09 am
cooking parties are such fun. Love the large chargers! Your comments were a hoot. Thanks for the fun and for sharing
Tina
Janie G said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:47 am
What great fun!!! Funny how food will lure boys into a room full of women! Everything looks and sounds delicious!!!
Mam said,
June 11, 2009 at 11:42 am
I am always looking for a reason to go to Trader Joes!!
I Love that Store!!! Looks lkie you had a great time!!
Momisodes said,
June 11, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Wow! That all looks delicious. You’ll have to share some recipes here
I wish I were your neighbor!
Puna said,
June 12, 2009 at 11:18 am
I did share my recipes! I posted them today. And I hope you get some good news soon. Share it with us when you do!
~~Rhonda said,
June 11, 2009 at 1:50 pm
What a fun evening! I am inspired to do the same! Making a list of friends to invite over right now! ~~Rhonda
Karen Schatz said,
June 11, 2009 at 3:23 pm
It was a blast! We all laughed at how we ate enough to feel like we just ate a huge Thanksgiving meal! So, here’s to Thanksgiving in June! Gotta love it
(Btw Puna, I bragged about our night to Bernice and now she wants to come to the next dinner event.)
Puna said,
June 11, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Hmmm…what kind of special recipe does Bernice have? She knows that’s she’s going to have to make it when she gets here…
Debbie said,
June 11, 2009 at 6:21 pm
Hey I was wondering? If I send you my address would you send me a bowl of that INCREDIBLE LOOKING DESSERT? Yummo!
Debbie
mrs. e said,
June 11, 2009 at 7:55 pm
I’d like an invite next time!! : ) I could wait until dessert like the boys! (Although, it all sounded yummy!!) Your table setting was beautiful!! And I adore your kitchen!
mary said,
June 11, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Wow, what fun! And I think I gained 5lbs. just looking at that dessert!
Gayle said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:02 pm
That looks like a lot of fun, and delicious!
ryanne said,
June 11, 2009 at 10:08 pm
All that food looks so wonderful, it looks like you all had a great time!
Carrie Keiser said,
June 11, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Looks like you had a wonderful time!
Puna said,
June 12, 2009 at 7:04 am
I don’t know how it would ship but I will certainly get the recipe from her and post it.
Chie said,
June 12, 2009 at 5:59 am
That’s fun night, right? Having dear friends makes life even easier.
Keep up the good work & have a blissful w/end.
Puna said,
June 12, 2009 at 11:21 am
Thank you! It was a hoot over at your place. Still trying to figure out what that language is…
Becky K. said,
June 12, 2009 at 6:45 am
That sounds like a very fun evening. Your boys a cute and definitely know when to show up. Chocolate!
Liz said,
June 12, 2009 at 3:05 pm
What a great idea, it looks like you had a great time – the chocolate dessert looks gorgeous!
lisahudson said,
June 12, 2009 at 4:15 pm
What fun!! I think I might have to send my husband out of town. Oh, and get me some gi-normous chargers to double as dinner plates. I won’t need dessert plates, though. I could just eat that straight from the bowl.
Puna said,
June 12, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Oh are you too funny! Thanks for stopping by!
Adrienne @ Susan Palmer Designs said,
June 12, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Sounds like you had a good time! I love to experiment with food as well, but my Fiancee is the only one ever willing to try my creations (he’s a keeper). Love seeing your kitchen in use!
Puna said,
June 13, 2009 at 9:39 am
Susan, I use it all the time! It’s one of the best things we’ve ever invested in.
spread your wings said,
June 12, 2009 at 9:08 pm
wow it sounds like you girls have a lot of fun together – and eat WELL. it all sounds delicious but that dessert –YUM
Claudia@DipityRoad said,
June 12, 2009 at 9:38 pm
I am certain your food was yummy…. but what i see in your post, is the sincere friendship you all have. the smiles are infectious.
Thanks so much for sharing!
TTFN~~Claudia
LdyDy said,
June 13, 2009 at 12:16 am
Oh what fun! I bet you had a wonderful time eating and sharing all that food and talking! The boys looked ready to eat! You took great photos and the your tablescape was great! Thanks for sharing! Huggy Hugs!
Puna said,
June 13, 2009 at 9:22 am
Awww…you’re so sweet! Huggy hugs to you and happy birthday!
Jasmine @ The Suburban Sentiment said,
June 15, 2009 at 11:12 pm
This is really inspiring and a great idea. And it’s more fun to do it en masse. I think I need to get myself some charger plates. They’re massive! But the food looks delicious, so it makes perfect sense to have the whopping big plates!
Puna said,
June 21, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Thank you! I like your terraniums:)