This past weekend was my birthday and there were no shortages of celebrations. Friday night was The Cafe at The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead, Sunday night was pizza and beer on the porch, but Saturday was most special. My sweet bestie, John, cooked a fabulous meal for 12 of us – at my house, so I never had to leave. The party just came to me. Yay!

John decided on a La Dolce Vita theme, with all Italian cuisine. It was divine. The planning started weeks in advance, with John allowing me final say on the menu. I felt so pampered. The menu was as follows:

Aperitivo

Savory Caramelized Onion Cheese Cake with Apricot Glaze
Assorted Crackers
Red Grapes
Green Grapes

Pan Seared Polenta with
Creme Fraiche
Chives

Antipasti

Pesto Insalata with Three Cheese Tortillini

Piatto Principale

Lasagne with Baby Spinach and Portobello Mushrooms

Dolce

Chocolate Raspberry Panna Cotta

Sambuca
Amaretto

Not only did John plan the menu, design the invite and gather the guests, but he came up with the most gorgeous table idea that my love Eric carried out. Sunflowers and a boodle of candles filled the table, making everyone feel like they were in Tuscany. Eric also served as John’s sous chef for the day while I went out shopping and lunching with Holly. It was the perfect birthday.

John arrived mid afternoon laden with food, platters, and more food. Eric and he got to working. There’s nothing like a man in the kitchen to make a woman smile. I’m lucky that not only my husband, but my best friend are both super cooks.

The men take over.

Eric's spectacular table!

John prepares the polenta.

Pan searing the polenta

The polenta started the evening and let me tell you…they were a slam dunk. I honestly could have eaten just these all night. But I had to pace myself.

These were amazingly delicious!

Our friends started to arrive. Clint and Matt were first, gifting me with the most gorgeous candlestick holders we immediately placed on the table. Then Holly, who brought me the most perfect personalized note cards ever. Another swell gift from Holly were the note pads that read “Patti’s Party Planning”!!! I can’t wait to write all my thank yous…which reminds me….

Danny (who brought Sambuca!), Holly and Clint visit.

Crystal slices up the bread for dinner.

My buddy Allen arrived with the most wonderful gift, too. He made a chicken pot pie from scratch! I adored this gift and cannot wait to eat it.

Allen and Me

Next course featured the savory cheesecake with caramelized onions and apricot glaze. Stupendous.

Isn't this beautiful? Just like being in Italy!

Three of my favorite men. Eric, Clint and Matt.

Glasses were filled and refilled, laughter and scrumptious aromas filled the house.

Holly and Clint.

Mr. Jaunty Clint.

Lisa tells one of her wonderful stories to Crystal and Bob.

While Holly and John catch up stoveside.

Time for everyone to take their seats.

Antipasti is next – this was fantastic. Filled with everything good. Tortillini, mushrooms, mozzarella balls, artichoke hearts, green beans and asparagus. All bathed in the most luscious pesto ever. John, you are amazing!

Antipasti - topped with proscuitto. Deeeeelicious, y'all.

Lasagne - the main event.

I actually believe that the conversation came to a halt during the lasagne course. Everyone was too busy digging in to this marvelous creation to utter a word. Yum.

But eventually we all came up for air and the room continued to hum.

A table full of happy friends.

Crystal and Holly enjoy a laugh.

Are we too full for dessert? Not a chance. John prepared the creamiest panna cotta topped with fresh raspberries and complimented with chocolate sauce. He hit this one out of the park. Truly.

The perfect end to a perfect meal.

Dessert was accompanied by a brandy snifter of either Sambuca (with the three traditional coffee beans floating for good luck) or Amaretto. I chose the Amaretto.

The party was a wild success. John, you are the most fabulous friend and this was the most fabulous birthday dinner. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you!

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The White Stripes – We Are Going To Be Friends

I love the holidays. I love get togethers. And food. So get togethers revolving around food, friends and the holidays are the greatest.

Our besties, Crystal and Teague, throw a big Friendsgiving party every year. It is for friends and friends that are basically family. This year about 40 friends (some old, some new), got together for the annual pot luck. Crystal and Teague provide all the meats and this year that meant pork shoulder and two turkeys! Everyone else brings the sides and desserts and a beverage. It is the best fun and a sure sign that the holidays are under way.

Enjoying the crisp, autumn weather.

I brought my mother’s sausage, raisin and cornbread stuffing, although Eric says I can’t really call it my mom’s anyone because I have made so many changes to it. Anyhoo, I still consider it Mama’s dish, because she is the inspiration for it and no holiday would be complete without it.

There was oyster stuffing, more stuffing, a stuffed pumpkin, macaroni and cheese, fresh baked rolls, gooey cake, cobbler, brussel sprouts, ethnic dishes from South America, all kinds of stuff. Lets look at the photos.

Crystal takes a small break

Getting cozy by the fire.

Crystal, Holly, Me

Holly, Danny and Eric share a huge laugh.

And are joined by John.

Jeff tends to the fire.

While Michelle and Stephanie catch up.

There are always the cute couples, too.

Byron and Michelle

Colin and Tracy

Danny and John

Some of the guests were neighbors who moved away, but are still close to our hearts.

Mike, Oliver and Amy

I learned that Oliver is quite the photographer. Look at this fab photo he took with my camera.

What an eye!

And then there was the incredible bounty of food..but not before going around and saying what we are thankful for.

Giving Thanks

More giving of the thanks.

And now, the food!

There was beet salad

Cranberries

The turkey was delicious...

...as was everything else...

Our friends Tim and Becky enjoy the fire.

And Tracy caught up with her college professor!

It was a perfect night. Thanks a million, Crystal and Teague, for always kicking off the season in the most scrumptious way.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to The Jungle Book Soundtrack – That’s What Friends Are For

As you know, I was most excited about watching the Gators vs. Alabama play the SEC Championship last night. Well, my Gators lost, but the food was fun!

Midafternoon, I heard a song on the radio that reminded me of Miss Diane – Modern Love by David Bowie. Miss Diane says that every time she’s at our house it comes on the radio. Well, I was in the kitchen making peppermint brownies when that very song came on so I had to call her. She asked me how many people were coming over to watch the game. Uh….nobody but Eric and me, sitting on the couch, hollering at the television. Of course I asked her to join us.

Peppermint Brownies - Recipe To Follow

I had gotten out the andouille sausage, the cheesy poofs, the salt and pepper chips, the plain chips, onion dip and some moon pies. There was wine and beer and cokes to drink. I had also baked the aforementioned peppermint brownies and had put some bread dough out to rise to take to Crystal and Teague’s house after the game so we could help trim their Christmas tree and indulge in some of Crystal’s grandmother’s Beef Vegetable Soup. Yum, soup!

It was a junk food afternoon at our house. Perfect for game day. Take a look at my bowl of chips on the left as put together by Miss Diane when asked what type of chip I would like. “Yes” was my reply. That’s a lot of chips!

Food Groups For Game Day: Chips, Moon Pies, Wine, Dip

The brats were going to be grilled outside, but baby, it’s cold outside! So I braised them in beer and onions and they were tasty indeed.

Six Brats A-Steamin'!

Radioactive Colored Food To Watch The Game By

But alack and alas, my Gators were defeated. Not sure how this happened but I have to admit, Alabama was all over it and deserved the win. Hopefully they’ll be a bowl game, but until then, we have a tree trimming to attend!

Miss Diane left to go home and Miss Tracy showed up to walk with us to Crystal and Teague’s house (yes, our front door is revolving…). We packed up the brownies, bread and more wine & beer, and then proceeded to bundle ourselves up. First, after the jeans and turtleneck, the gloves, the Uggs, the fuzzy lined hoodie, scarf and leather jacket. I mean – it was COLD outside. But it was a clear night and the walk was pleasant.

Everything smelled so good at our good friends’ house and the tree was so fab! Somehow I neglected to bring my camera to the soiree, so just trust me that their afternoon tree search certainly yielded a beauty. Large and full, with the lights on and ready to be decorated. But first there was soup and bread and brownies to gobble up. Crystal’s soup was so good, I ate a giant bowl.

Joining us were our sweet neighbors Rick and Denise. After dinner, the ornaments were brought out and we got to decorating. With seven friends, it didn’t take long. Not only that, but Crystal was dear enough to gift me with a bundle of ice blue branches for our party next Saturday. But she and Teague also gifted us with the cutest ornaments ever! They are black tie for our black tie party next week! Look how cute:

Black Ties for Our Black Tie!

And so, after the tree was trimmed, toasts were made and soup was devoured, we bundled back up and made our way back home in the misty moonlight.

I hope the season is treating you well so far. If you need a little something to take to a friend’s house or you could use something yummy for yourself, here is the recipe for the Peppermint Brownies. Super easy and quick. You could make these and be out of the house in under an hour.

Peppermint Brownies

2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1 stick butter
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 350F.
Melt chocolate and butter over low heat. When melted, remove from heat.
Stir in sugar and eggs, beating slightly.
Add in vanilla and peppermint.
Add flour.

Bake in greased 8x8x2 pan for 20-25 minutes.

Enjoy!

Tomorrow the real work starts. Five days and counting until our Christmas Black Tie party for 75 friends. Let the chaos begin!

xoxo, Patti